Building a custom home is an exciting journey, and selecting the exterior materials is a crucial step. There are three popular choices: vinyl, brick, or wood. The exterior you choose doesn't just impact aesthetics; it also affects durability, maintenance and overall value. Let's delve into the pros and cons of each to help you make the perfect selection for your dream residence.
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Choosing whether to use vinyl, brick or wood is a big task, but working with a professional custom home builder in your area will ease the process. Contact L. Patten & Sons today to discuss what's best for your dream home!
Choosing The Best Exterior for your Custom Home: Vinyl, Brick, or Wood Siding?
If you need help choosing between vinyl, brick or wood siding, contact a custom home builder.
Home siding material is the protective outer layer, also known as cladding, that covers your home. It plays a vital role not only in protecting your home from the elements (rain, wind, hail) and boosting energy efficiency (through insulation), but also in enhancing your home's curb appeal and increasing its value.
The best material for your home will depend on your unique needs and preferences. Read on to learn more about vinyl, brick, or wood and find the perfect fit for your dream home!
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is a popular choice due to its minimal maintenance.
Vinyl siding is a popular exterior cladding material made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin and has been around since the 1950s.
It's a low-maintenance option for homeowners, commonly used on houses and small apartment buildings.
Pros:
Versatility: Vinyl comes in a wide variety of colors, styles, and textures, allowing you to achieve a modern or traditional look for your home.
Durability: Modern vinyl siding is quite durable and can withstand most weather conditions.
Painting isn't needed: Unlike wood siding, which requires repainting every 5-7 years, vinyl siding boasts minimal maintenance. You can, however choose to paint your vinyl siding for aesthetic appeal.
Cons:
Expansion and Contraction: Vinyl siding panels can expand and contract in extreme temperatures, which may lead to cracking over time.
Aesthetics: While vinyl has come a long way, it may not offer the same richness and character as brick or wood.
Resale Value: Compared to brick or high-quality wood siding, vinyl may not significantly increase your home's resale value.
Manufacturing Emissions: During vinyl siding production, greenhouse gases, sulphur dioxide, and even carcinogens can be released.
Maintenance:
Unlike wood, vinyl requires minimal upkeep. Regular cleaning with a hose is usually sufficient.
Due to its slick surface, most dirt will come off with water. You can also use water and white vinegar to clean stubborn areas by scrubbing with a soft-bristle brush.
2. Brick
With its classic beauty, a brick exterior can add resale value to your home.
Traditionally, bricks were painstakingly formed by hand from clay mixtures. Today, the process has become more efficient. Clay is forced through a mould (die) and cut to size using wires. After drying, the bricks undergo a final transformation – firing in a kiln at high temperatures. This process creates an incredibly hard and permanent building material.
Brick exteriors offer timeless elegance and undeniable charm, making them a popular selection for custom-built houses.
Pros:
Unmatched Durability: Brick is a champion in the durability department. It's incredibly resistant to fire, weather elements like wind, rain, and hail, and even pests like termites. With proper maintenance, a brick exterior can last for centuries, adding lasting value to your home.
Classic Beauty: There's a reason brick has been a sought-after building material for ages. Brick exteriors exude a timeless elegance that complements various architectural styles. From traditional and colonial to contemporary and modern farmhouse, brick can add a touch of sophistication and warmth to your custom design.
Increased Resale Value: Homes with brick exteriors often command a higher resale value compared to other siding materials. Brick signifies quality construction and lasting appeal, making it a desirable feature for potential buyers.
Versatility with Character: Brick comes in a variety of colours, textures, and laying patterns. This allows you to personalize your custom home's exterior and create a unique look. From classic red brick to contemporary gray tones, the options cater to diverse tastes.
Brick exteriors tend to be quite durable, but they do require some maintenance.
Cons:
Limited Colour Options: While brick offers a classic look, the natural color palette is indeed limited. Reds, browns, grays, and yellows are the most common options.
Repointing: Although brick itself is incredibly durable, the mortar between the bricks requires maintenance. Over time, mortar can crack, crumble, and deteriorate. This allows moisture to penetrate the brickwork, potentially causing structural issues.
To prevent this, repointing (replacing the mortar) is necessary. While not as frequent as repainting wood siding, repointing can be a significant cost factor depending on the size of your home.
Maintenance:
While brick requires minimal maintenance, it's not entirely maintenance-free. Occasional cleaning to remove dirt, mildew, or efflorescence (mineral deposits) might be necessary. However, compared to wood siding that needs repainting, brick offers significant long-term savings on upkeep.
3. Wood
Incorporating wood into your exterior create a sense of craftsmanship and quality.
Crafted from a natural resource, wood exudes a sense of organic elegance, making it a popular choice for luxury custom-built homes.
Pros:
Natural Beauty: Wood offers an unmatched aesthetic appeal. The natural grain patterns and textures add warmth and character to any home, creating a connection to the outdoors.
Versatility: Wood comes in a variety of species, each with unique characteristics. From the rich tones of cedar to the modern appeal of stained pine, there's a wood type to complement any architectural style. You can also choose paint colours to further personalize the look.
Good Insulator: Wood is a natural insulator, helping to regulate interior temperatures and potentially reducing energy costs.
Craftsman Appeal: Wood exteriors can create a sense of craftsmanship and quality construction, adding value to your custom home.
Cons:
Susceptibility to Elements: Wood is susceptible to weather elements like moisture, rot, and insect damage. Proper installation techniques, using weather-resistant wood species, and regular maintenance are crucial to ensure a long lifespan.
Fire Safety: Wood is a combustible material. During the design and construction phase, discuss fire safety measures with your architect and builder to ensure your home meets all necessary fire safety codes.
Maintenance:
Unlike brick or vinyl, wood requires regular maintenance to maintain its beauty and longevity. This includes periodic staining or painting, depending on the chosen wood type and desired finish.
The exterior you choose isn’t just about aesthetics. It also affects durability, maintenance and overall value.
Ultimately, choosing between vinyl, brick, or wood for your custom home depends on your vision, lifestyle, and priorities.
Remember, the right exterior is not just about aesthetics – it should reflect your personality and create a welcoming haven that complements your lifestyle for years to come.
Consider consulting with a professional custom builder to explore the possibilities and material combinations that can best suit your dream home.
Work With L. Patten & Sons
WHY? BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN PRODUCING QUALITY HOMES SINCE 1958!
At L. Patten & Sons, we thoroughly understand the home-building process, including whether to choose a vinyl, brick or wood exteriors for your new home. Trust us for all of your home-building needs in the Collingwood, Clearview, and Blue Mountain areas.
“Our experience with L. Patten & Sons was exceptional. Their attention to detail, timelines and creative approach gave us our dream house. Highly recommend the team”