Browsing through building materials and finishes is more fun than utilitarian when the results are for your own custom home. I often hear the question “what do you think of this?” and my answer is “I don’t know, what do you like?” to “hold on, let me look,” and having a valuable opinion that results in a choice.
Another thing that can get me at times is thinking “ooo, pretty” before thinking about it from a functionality or quality standpoint. That pretty thing may look nice, but will it work the way you need it to, or last as long as you hope it will? Here we evaluate some of the most important things to think about when choosing the best building materials that suit your vision for your perfect custom home.
Table of Contents
Cost
Region Appropriate
Neighborhood Appropriate
Availability
Ease of Delivery
Sustainable
Long-Lasting
Final Thoughts
Cost
With some things, it may boil down to how much it costs. Looking back to the pretty thing, it might not look so pretty when you check the price and note that it’s five times more than you’ve budgeted.
Every room in your home, as well as the exterior, should have its own budget. It will help you keep costs down as well as allow you to choose your favorites. Not only does it keep costs down, but it will automatically narrow down your choices so you don’t feel so overwhelmed with every little decision.
Most of the time, but not always, price is directly related to quality and longevity. Natural stone siding, for instance, is the most expensive exterior building material on the residential building market. That said, it’s always high-quality and will last likely as long as you live in the home and beyond. This is an example of a significant up-front cost, with long-term savings since you won’t be replacing it often, if at all.
Region Appropriate
There is a certain aesthetic that comes to mind when you talk about region. That natural wood siding you fell in love with online isn’t going to stand the test of time on your custom home in the Southeast. There are climate and environment considerations like rain, hurricanes, and more. Various pests, like termites, will enjoy feasting on your siding, too.
In central Arizona, it’s common to see adobe-style homes with stucco finishes that thrive in that climate. That adobe style won’t fit very well in the farm towns of the Midwest.
Neighborhood Appropriate
I grew up in a ranch-style home in a quiet neighborhood in the Midwest. A check on Zillow netted me the information that my childhood home is priced in the $190’s, as are many homes around it. It’s exterior is a beautiful combination of brick and vinyl siding – siding which my dad had installed several decades ago. You would have to reconfigure the entire neighborhood for a multi-million dollar custom mansion to stand a chance at blending in.
On the flip side, a newly-built high-end lakeside community will be packed full of those custom multi-million dollar homes, with my childhood home sticking out like a sore thumb.
Availability
The online marketplace, watching videos created by builders outside your region, and your last vacation, can be a Godsend and a hurdle at the same time. The beautiful hand-painted Mexican tiles in your last vacation rental home in Cabo won’t be as readily available for your custom home build in Washington State.
The more unique and custom you choose, the harder it will be to find. You won’t find them at your local building supply store, and having them delivered to your building site from Cabo will take time and money you may not have.
Ease of Delivery
Consider where your new home is. How far back on the lot has it been placed? Was there space to install a long, wide driveway – for your own vehicles as well as the large delivery trucks transporting building materials to the site. What about the neighborhood street? Where are the utility lines? Are the access roads a good size and condition for ease of delivery?
One of Acipe Design’s current builds is in a cozy lake community – where the streets are only slightly bigger than a one-lane road. If another car is coming from the other direction, one of these vehicles will have to stop so the other can maneuver around it.
Sustainability
Acipe Design prides itself on helping you make the most sustainable choices in your custom home. You can help decrease your new home’s carbon footprint by using materials like insulation made from alternative materials like recycled denim or even sheep’s wool, reclaimed wood products, recycled roofing shingles, and more. Check out our blog on the various types of sustainable building materials you can add to your home build.
Long-Lasting
As we mentioned before, natural stone siding is king when it comes to durability. It will likely last as you pass your home through the generations of your family. The vinyl siding my dad had installed is still beautiful after over 30 years. Other tough materials that stand the test of time, like steel, wood, and concrete, are also tops when it comes to durability.
If you’re leaning toward sustainable, aesthetic appeal, or new-on-the-market materials, make sure to leave no stone unturned in your research. Talk with other homeowners and ask us about our experience with each.
Next, think about your long-term plan for your home, future renovation, and ease of maintenance. Before you commit, make sure you’re willing to put in the upkeep when necessary.
Final Thoughts
- The staff and designers at Acipe Design help you create your dream home from foundation to completion. We can help you explore everything that goes into building your custom home and curate your list of must-haves, then turn your vision into a reality.
- Contact us today!