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Building Materials For A Low-Maintenance Home

Home Construction

Although owning a home is one of the best investments you will ever make, there is no denying that the responsibilities of homeownership are more than many people bargain for. Clogged drains, snow-packed sidewalks, and pet-stained carpets are just a few of the myriad maintenance concerns homeowners must deal with on a regular basis. Therefore, to help mitigate the amount of time spent on these domestic chores, it is crucial to build with durable, hassle-free materials. Keep reading for a breakdown of 5 building materials to choose from for a low-maintenance home!

Fiber Cement Siding

Cut pieces of wood

Classic siding products such as wood and brick score high for their rustic appeal, but they are a major pain to keep in top condition. Wood planks must be stained or painted at least every 2 to 3 years, while brick must be regularly sealed to prevent moisture absorption.

As a result, vinyl siding has increased in popularity as a low-cost siding material that is also relatively low maintenance. Vinyl is moisture resistant and does not need to be painted to retain its appearance and protective qualities.

However, vinyl is not without its own issues. The PVC plastic used in most vinyl can become brittle in the face of extreme cold and extended UV exposure, sometimes requiring a replacement in as little as 10 years. To avoid this lack of durability, fiber cement is an alternative to vinyl siding that has the same low maintenance qualities but a much longer shelf life. Completely resistant to moisture, fire, and pests, fiber cement siding is rated to last 50 years but will likely outlast the life of your home with basic care. For most applications, this simply involves a semi-annual pressure wash to knock away any standing dirt or debris. Fiber cement also has the advantage of being manufactured in a wide array of colors and designs, with some styles nearly indistinguishable from natural wood. 

Hardwood Floors

With people spending more and more time at home with the adoption of remote work and lifestyles, modern floors have to be tough and easy to clean to bear up to the increased traffic. Carpet, laminates, and cheaper vinyl products are too easily damaged for homeowners who do not have the time to frequently touch them up or have them professionally serviced. Therefore, while more expensive upfront, hardwood floors are well worth the investment for modern homeowners. Easy to clean with a broom and wet mop, hardwood floors can retain their classy appearance in the face of heavy usage, helping the home maintain its value years after they have been installed. 

Quartz Countertops

Although people are working, ordering in, and spending more time at home than ever before, they somehow have less time to spend on household chores. The skyrocketing cost of living and demanding remote jobs that don’t have any work/life boundaries have made it increasingly harder for homeowners to spend time on the job of life. Therefore, a Swiffer mop and Clorox wipe are as much attention as many modern interiors can get. With this in mind, quartz countertops make for a premier solution. Fabricated from hard mineral quartz bound with an epoxy resin, quartz countertops are completely nonporous, maintaining their stunning stone appearance without the risk of staining or mold buildup. Any funk that accumulates on the surface can be easily wiped away whenever you get to it with no risk to the countertop.

Landscaping Pavers

Standing water and runoff can play havoc on a home’s exterior. Therefore, it is critical your exterior be constructed with proper drainage in mind if you don’t want to spend hours cleaning up after every storm. Obviously, you need to guarantee that your gutters and roof cricket are in top condition to handle roof runoff. However, you also need to guarantee that your driveway, sidewalk, patio, deck, pool, and outdoor kitchen are adequately drained. The most innovative outdoor spaces use a system of permeable paver grids for their gravel driveways, flagstone walkways, and roof deck pavers to ensure that heavy water flow does not cause erosion in the substrate that undermines the structural integrity or aesthetics of these exterior areas. 

Hurricane Grade Windows

Unfortunately, the changing climate seen throughout the country has increased the incidence of severe weather events popping up. Therefore, to avoid lengthy claims with your homeowners’ insurance and having sections of your home inaccessible due to damage, it is a great idea to build with materials that will withstand extreme weather without a hitch. Hurricane grade windows are a great place to start. Built with structural steel frames, sashes, and grilles and using reinforced glass, the best storm windows can withstand winds up to 250 MPH and projectile impact up to 100 MPH. While your neighbors have cardboard taped over their windows following a major storm, you will be able to continue your daily life without a hitch and the aesthetics of your house will be none the worse for wear. 

Get Creative to Make Your Home As Low Maintenance As Possible

From fiber cement siding to hurricane grade windows, there are many innovative building materials on the market today that can lower maintenance and upkeep requirements around your property. If you are looking for more ideas and inspiration for how to create a low maintenance home, visit Strange Buildings today!

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