Whether you’re building a humble home or luxurious estate, you can’t overlook the importance of your home’s exterior. Although it’s one of the last stages of the home building process, choosing exterior finishes is no place to cut corners. For our custom home clients, the outside of your new home demands the same amount of attention as the inside. Unlike interior choices, which can be updated and easily replaced over the lifetime of a home, exterior finishes and features are one of few things that you’ll probably never change.
Feel pressured to get it right?
Relieve that pressure by letting Highland Builders help you. Fortunately, there is a wide selection of exterior finishes that are not only aesthetically appealing, but high performing, low-maintenance, weather-resistant and durable. Below are a few general categories to keep in mind when it’s time to select exterior finishes for your custom home.
Related: What makes Highland Builders different?
Siding—Choosing material to cover such a large surface area can be a very hard decision. From brick to stucco, vinyl to stone and many more, there are countless options for exterior cladding. Trending now is a varied mix of materials, for example: Combining stone, brick and lap siding to create visual appeal without the price tag of brick or stone around the entire perimeter. Start with the front of the home and don’t sacrifice style for cost. Work your way around the sides to the back where you can choose less expensive materials, but still uphold the elegance and sophistication of the home’s façade.
Roofing— Capable of adding character and definition, roofs make up about 50% of your home’s exposed exterior. Careful selection of shingles is critical to establishing your home’s appearance and curb appeal. The wide range of choices like asphalt, tile, slate and shakes are just several of many popular choices. Weigh the pros and cons—an affordable choice could require maintenance and painting, while a higher-end option may be maintenance-free for the life of the shingle. Keep in mind that the choice you make impacts the safety, durability, energy efficiency and weather resistance of your entire home.
Hardscaping—Putting a lot into hardscaping upfront can produce elements that last the life of your home. When it comes to patios and porches–pavers, tile, flagstone, slate and other natural stones are more expensive than poured concrete, but they last a lifetime and provide an appearance that cost-effective materials just don’t. For the deck, options like pine and cedar offer advantages not found in composite materials. Special features you’d come to expect in a home’s interior like columns, trims, and railing systems apply to the exterior as well! Also consider how techniques like walkways, steps, fireplaces and retaining walls can add unique style.
Landscaping—This literally ties your home together with the land. From luscious lawns to perfectly positioned plants, landscaping is one of the very last stages of building a custom home. Oftentimes underestimated in time and cost, we’ll recommend you build in a reasonable budget for landscaping so that we get it just right. After all, when combined, landscaping and hardscaping can deliver up to a 150% return on investment. This is more value recovered than kitchen and bathroom remodeling. More importantly, landscaping is the finishing touch on making your house look and feel like a home while blending it with the outdoors.
Unify your home with nature
In addition to our guidance through the various decisions and choices, we encourage you to drive through your new neighborhood for inspiration and design ideas. Check out finished homes to see what types of exteriors are used. Decide what you like, don’t like and take some notes. Seeing options in person is priceless when you find yourself in the showroom later making final choices from small samples and swatches.
If you’ve learned anything from this post it should be that it’s a journey of it’s own to customize and finish your home’s exterior. Armed with creative control and an impressive array of exterior products, you can create your perfect environment outside your new home.
To find out more about our intimate home building process, or to learn about exterior finishes for your custom home, contact Highland Builders today at 804-449-6006.
