Important Material Choices to Make for Your Home Exterior

Whether you are building a new home, or going through extensive renovations, you have important choices to make. In fact, many people in your situation report going through decision fatigue! When there are so many choices, it is critical to discern between those that really matter and those that don’t. One choice that you should give a fair amount of thought to is the materials used on your home’s exterior. You want these materials to be long-lasting, durable, protective, and beautiful.

Roofing

Roofing materials matter. First, consider your climate. For example, if you live in a particularly hot climate, asphalt shingles can actually melt and might not be your first choice. Good choices for hot climates include metal, slate, and clay. If you live in a cold climate with frequent freezes, wood shakes and heavyweight asphalt shingles work great. For any region, the most durable materials around are slate, metal, and clay. These roofs can last upwards of 100 years, as opposed to 25 for asphalt.

Siding

Your external siding choice is extremely important. You will have to balance your aesthetic preferences with durability to find the perfect siding for you. While you should certainly choose a siding that you love the look of, don’t forget to think about how a siding material will wear over time. Also, be sure to consider the amount of maintenance required. Vinyl siding tends to require little maintenance compared to wood siding. The top siding materials in 2022 include fiber cement, brick, metal, vinyl, stucco, and stone veneer.

Windows and Doors

Your windows and doors are what connect your home to the outside world. You want as much control over that as possible. When you want the sun to shine in and warm your home, that is what you should get. But if you don’t want cold drafts or the sounds of your neighbor’s child practicing their saxophone, you shouldn’t have to have them. There is a world of difference between cheap, low-quality windows and doors and the best ones. Your windows and doors should only let in what you want to let in and shut out the rest. Choose quality materials that are weather resistant, energy efficient, solid, and durable.

If you are experiencing decision fatigue, drop things like switch board covers and doorknob color. What you don’t want to leave to fate is your exterior materials. These are what will protect you and your family from the elements and truly make your home your fortress.

Check out this article on renovations that can make your home more comfortable!