How to Choose the Right Materials for Your New Home

Material choices decide how your home looks on move-in day and how it performs twenty years later. Here is how we help clients think about the big ones.

Roofing

Architectural shingles are affordable and look great. Metal roofing costs more up front but lasts far longer and handles hail and wind well — which is why it is so popular on barndominiums and rural homes. Many of our homes combine both, like the antique shingles and metal accents on the Kress Cottage.

Whatever you choose, look at it on a real house, not just a sample. Colors read very differently on a whole roof than on a small chip.

Siding

Fiber cement board-and-batten (such as Hardie) is durable, fire resistant and holds paint well. Vinyl is economical and low maintenance. A stone skirt or wainscot adds curb appeal and protects the bottom of the wall from splash-back.

Think about maintenance as much as looks. Ask how often a siding needs paint or cleaning, and what it costs to repair a damaged section.

Insulation

This is the place not to cut corners. Spray foam seals air leaks and adds strength; it is especially important in metal buildings, where it helps prevent condensation. Good insulation pays you back every month on your utility bill.

Ask your builder how the insulation, house wrap and windows work together. The best results come from treating them as one system, not three separate choices.

Windows and doors

Energy-efficient windows reduce drafts and heat gain. Solid core interior doors cost a little more but make a home feel quieter and more substantial.

Hardware and trim around windows and doors are part of the look too. Simple, consistent choices make a home feel calm and finished.

Where to save

Light fixtures, hardware and paint colors are easy to change later. Structure, insulation, windows and roofing are not. Spend on the things behind the walls first.

A good rule: if replacing it later means opening a wall or the roof, choose the better option now.