What to keep in mind when choosing building material.
You made the choice to start building, but now you need to start with choosing material for your project and in this day and age there is a large variety of options at our fingertips.
Not everything is suitable for your unique needs however. Whether you are limited by location, costs, or simply a personal preference, the right building material for you is out there.
The first thing to keep in mind, and in most cases the deciding factor, is the cost. It’s important to not only look at the once off immediate cost, but rather the lifetime cost. By buying a less pricey item you might end up compromising on quality and having to replace it later could cost you more than a more durable material would have.
Keep in mind there are durable materials out there that will not break the bank and if funds are limited we are here to help you find the perfect long-lasting material you need.
When thinking of costs, energy efficiency is high on the list of factors to include. Material that offers better insulation might be more costly at first, but in the long run it will save you a lot of unnecessary costs.
In the end the aesthetic might just end up being the swing vote when it comes to choosing between materials. Brick might be easy to maintain but masonry, although much more expensive, could be just that last touch your home needs.
Truth be told, it’s all up to you and we are here to guide you along your options.
As you know by now, a house is much more than four walls with a roof. There is a whole lot more house you need to take into consideration. Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up.
Basement and Foundation: Do you need/want a basement? Are you building against a slope? If possible, a basement can provide more space, especially if your house is restricted in size.
House Framing: When choosing framing wood is still the most commonly used frame. Steel and concrete frames are however gaining traction. Each of these have their own pro’s and cons.
Siding: When choosing siding the cost and durability is just as wide as the range of choices you have, from wood, composite, fiber cement, board, vinyl, stucco to masonry.
Brick Siding: When thinking of using brick consider the aesthetics vs the low maintenance and at times, higher costs.
Stone veneer: This is adhered to a wall as a finishing touch. It can be used either outdoors or indoors, often around a fireplace for a more natural, earthy look.
Windows and Glass/Patio Doors: Although it might seem like the least difficult choice to make, this has a big effect on energy efficiency, maintenance and the overall look of your house.
Front doors: This is one of the areas you are in complete control and that is less likely to cost you an arm and a leg. You can choose a pre-designed one or create a custom door depending on your taste and the look and feel you’re going for.
Roofing: Asphalt or wood shingle, metal roofing, cement tiles and nowadays even rubber roofing are available. In this case with a variety of choices comes a variety of prices. It’s also important to keep the utility in mind.
Interior doors: You don’t need to stick to solid wood doors like in the past. You have your choice of composite, hollow or MDF doors.
Drywall: Keep in mind the strength, moisture resistance and even fire resistance. Lastly don’t forget to choose your finish.
Flooring: Do you prefer wood, Ceramic tile, Stone tile or concrete for a rustic look? There are a wide variety of flooring solutions available and keeping the overall look of your house in mind is a key factor in choosing what you need. This is not something to be taken lightly as flooring is not something one wants to redo.
Paint: Each room has their own requirements when it comes to paint. The roof does not require being cleaned the same way a children’s bedroom wall might need to be cleaned. Read our article on paint choices for a better idea of how to choose the right paint.
This is just a quick list of building material you should consider getting you started. It might leave you with more questions than answers, but that’s why we are here to help you understand what you need. Keep an eye out for more in-depth blogs to help you choose the perfect material for your home.