TrendWatch
Maintenance
Free Exteriors
Hours and hours of labor done by homeowners
have brought on a whole new trend in home
building and remodeling. Homeowners are
tired and are now seeking maintenance-free
exteriors that still look natural and are allowing them to rest easy for years. Some of the
things you need to take into consideration for
a maintenance free exterior are types of siding, house trim, soffits/fascia, windows, and
exterior doors. There are many details involved
in maintenance free exteriors, and each detail
offers its own unique features and advantages.
O
ne of the main details of your
home is the siding you choose.
There are very few things that
can change the curb appeal and the value
of your home like new siding. Home siding materials, such as vinyl, fiber cement,
and natural stone, have varied over the
years, and they all seem to lend to being
more maintenance-free.
Vinyl has seen some new innovations in
the past few years to increase energy efficiency and also impact resistance. Vinyl
is also one of the most popular maintenance free siding choices in new home
construction. It has been made to look
like wood and is available in several profiles. The thickness (or gauge) of vinyl is
what is important to know, when it comes
to the durability and the cost. Many vinyl
products available now have an insulated backing fused directly to the vinyl
or tightly fitted to the vinyl. This foam
insulation fills the voids and increases
the impact resistance. It also, depending
on the product selected, can make your
home more energy efficient.
30 Abode November 2008
Green building has become a big focus
for homeowners, builders and remodelers. “Be ‘green’, yet have beautiful aesthetics, provide no-hassle maintenance, be
durable and add real value... homeowners
today demand that the products used in
their homes not just meet – but exceed
these standards,” said Linda Heipp with
Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc. “With
foresight and thoughtfulness, we offer
homeowners fiber cement siding options
that fit the bill.” Fiber Cement has been
used for some time and is composed of
cement, sand, and cellulose fiber that
have been cured with pressurized steam.
It provides the appearance of wood but
is more durable than wood. It is known
for its stability and strength in extreme
weather conditions and has resistance
to fungus, mold, rot, termite infestation,
and fire. Finally, fiber cement holds paint
better then wood and generally does not
require painting for years, which is more
maintenance free than the typical three to
five years that wood requires.
“Natural stone is a natural fit for green
building, too,” said Jeff Brown with
“Sometimes the best
explanation of the benefits
to maintenance free is through
personal experience. My home
has fiber-cement siding, aluminum clad windows, and steel
entry doors. I don’t have to
worry about painting my siding, water rotting my windows,
and my doors look brand new.
The best thing is, my house
looks the same right now as
it did when the project was
completed – beautiful.”
– Eric Brown, Siding Unlimited
Halquist Stone Company. “We have invested a lot of time and effort to understand
how natural stone can be eco-friendly and
cost effective. Stone is a natural product
with an enduring life cycle. The long life
span and minimal upkeep required to
keep natural stone beautiful make ongoing energy requirements minimal and,
thus, would make it an attractive greenbuilding option with respect to life cycle
cost.” New technology has made natural
stone more affordable for your home as
well. More people are choosing natural
stone when they realize the affordability
of it. Natural stone is available in a variety
of colors and textures that will not discolor. With competitive pricing, a natural
look, greater resale value, an environmentally friendly edge, and a maintenance
free factor, natural stone is another great
siding choice to give your home beauty
and warmth.
and some can even be stained to look like
wood. The best part is they will not warp,
crack, or come apart.
Finally, make sure your home is maintenance free in its entirety; do not forget
the trim, soffits, fascia, windows, and
exterior doors. Aluminum clad windows
and steel or fiberglass entry doors have
become durable and viable alternatives to
wood for your exterior. Steel doors are
now embossed with a wood grain pattern
Linda Heipp of Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc.,
Jeff Brown of Halquist Stone Company, and Eric
Brown of Siding Unlimited shared their expertise for
this article.
Homeowners need to take all these
factors into consideration when putting
together a budget for a maintenance-free
exterior. Finding the right contractor for
your project is a very important step as
well. Make sure you select a contractor
that has the same vision for your home as
you do. “We handle the complete process
of making your home look new again,”
said Eric Brown with Siding Unlimited.
“Best of all, the products last a long time
and maintain their charm so you can
enjoy your home the way you should.”
When your home looks great, you can
enjoy the pride that comes with home
ownership.
Opposite page and below, photos courtesy of
Hallmark Building Supplies, Inc.
Photos at right courtesy of Halquist Stone Company.
“More and more people are
choosing natural stone when
they realize it is very comparable, in price and installation
methods, to other exterior
options.”
– Jeff Brown,
Halquist Stone Company
Abode November 2008 31