Outward signs of home improvement
If your home’s exterior requires repair or replacement, you may want to consider changing the finish or material. While the objective may be to find a product to effectively withstand the elements, the result will also impact the overall appearance and first impression of your home. Of course, certain choice will be more appropriate than others, depending upon the style, location, elevation and the fire safety, maintenance and utility requirements of each product – not to mention the cost of the product and its installation. When you get right down to it, you’ll discover that there are some great choices available to give any house or extension a whole new look and feel.
Wood Siding
Wood siding has long been a practical and stylish home exterior, thanks to a plentiful supply, ease of handling and resistance to weather. Even though newer more durable siding materials are available, wood siding remains viable due to improved treatments and coatings that help ensure its weather resistance. This product is commonly positioned in horizontal planks, slightly overlapped to keep water out. Howver, there are many other exterior applications for wood siding, including vertical “board and batten” siding, treated exterior wood paneling sheets and reclaimed barn boards.
Prefabricated Siding
Manufactured siding has improved significantly over the years, and offers many advantages. It comes in a wide range of materials, (vinyl, aluminum, steel, etc.) and has many colour and finish options to match or coordinate with any home whether rustic, colonial or modern in style. This siding has virtually know maintenance issues, so your choice will be entirely personal, and based on visual preference, availability and cost.
Stucco and Sheathing
Stucco has evolved from its Native American and Mediterranean heritages and has become well established as a reliable home exterior throughout North America. A professionally installed stucco finish is very resilient and easy to maintain. Small cracks can be easily repaired and should be addressed before they get bigger. However, larger cracks may indicate structural problems, so an authorized building inspector and a reliable repair person should be consulted. A modern alternative to a traditional stucco exterior utilizes large panels with a waterproof plaster-like finish, which allow for quicker installation and individual replacement. This method is often combined with wood strips to conceal seams, such as in Tudor or ranch-style homes.
Logs and Log Facings
Modern log cabins look a lot like their predecessors, but newer methods and materials make them a very practical and long-lasting choice for a home exterior. If you don’t plan to replace your exterior walls with full-sized logs, you can still achieve the look with a “log veneer”: facing on an existing weatherproof wall. Plaster-like “chinking” between rows prevents moisture penetration while maintaining that authentic log cabin look.
Stone, Brick, or Inlay
Stone and brick have always been considered weatherproof. While stone tends to only be used in areas with a nearby supply, brick is available just about anywhere and provides solid protection if graded accordingly. Look for a performance guarantee from both the manufacturer and the installer, since even the best bricks are only as strong as the mortar used to hold them together. A cost-saving alternative to a stone or brick exterior is inlaid flagstone or brick facings set in a weatherproof compound. Consult a qualified professional to ensure you get a worry-free finish that lives up to its appearance.
All-Around, a good investment
The ideal home exterior must suit you in appearance, function and cost. You may choose to spend more on a grand-looking front entrance, and use less expensive materials on the side or back of the home. Or, you might combine materials to create an alluring and enduring exterior that surrounds your entire home, without sacrificing comfort or durability. Ultimately, an attractive and well-maintained exterior will serve you proudly while you live in the home, and could repay you handsomely when you decide to sell.