How to create a durable home exterior finish

When building a new house, creating and structuring a home of lasting value is uppermost on your mind. Resilience for money spent and investment is undoubtedly what you’d rather have. So, when you get to the stage of your home build where construction is almost completed, it is important to have a beautiful appearance on the outside of your custom home. Finding exterior finishing that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing is the key to finishing off your home design nicely, and you must be thinking long term in this regard.

To achieve this effectively, aesthetics and initial cost must be balanced with maintenance. When researching the materials and finishes for your new home, understand the level of maintenance that different materials require, and the time and expense entailed. Choose materials that don’t require more upkeep than you can undertake.

So, when building a new home, how do you get the right look for the exterior, one that matches and/or complements the inside? What aspects should you think about? Do you need siding, and if so, what type? Ask yourself what kind of trim you want. How will it fair in harsh climate?

Some of your siding choices are aluminium, brick, hardee plank, stucco, vinyl siding, and wood lap siding. Certain types of siding do better in different climates than others, and are more efficient for cooling your home.

Think of everything that is around your house when looking at exterior finishing. Exterior work also includes outbuildings and driveways. Decide whether you want to have a gravel, paved or bricked-in theme. Your neighbours will surely be appreciative of the aesthetic benefits you bring to the neighborhood.

Here are a few things to bear in mind

Exterior Paint Colours: Don’t revert to a neutral colour for your home’s exterior colour. If you’re not choosing a natural material, the options are limitless for exterior siding shades. Think about your home’s surrounding environment when choosing a colour. Do you want your house to stand out, blend in, or reach a middle ground between the two?

For instance, if your house is surrounded by evergreens, if you want it to stand out, you should shy away from green in general. To really make it pop against the trees, consider going across the colour wheel from emerald and choosing a complementary shade of rust or red. To stand out but not make a big statement, choose an analogous colour, like soft yellow.

Landscaping: Your custom home landscaping plays a vital role in the overall look of your exterior. Think about it: a plain grassy lawn says nothing, but a lawn with perennial beds, a decorative fence, and a patio invite you in and suggest that the homeowners love being outdoors.

That said, match your landscaping to your lifestyle. If you’re low-maintenance, don’t choose plants and flowers that require a lot of upkeep. By the same token, if you have a classic-looking, stately house, a wild and modern garden will not look like it belongs there.

Architectural Details: The architectural details on your new custom home will be what set it apart from the other cookie-cutter houses on your street. These details will make it unique and let it shine. For instance, beautiful trim can contrast with your home’s exterior siding or finish and set it off. On the other hand, a walkway paved with natural stone, tile, or brick can provide an elegant welcome for visitors. Decorative trim in specific areas (to set off a porch or highlight a front door) can add a touch of flair or whimsy. Whatever details you decide to focus on, you can be sure that they will add a dose of personality to your new custom home.

Be climate- and region-specific: Find homes in your area with the exterior finishes you are considering, and see if you are comfortable with how they have stood the test of time.