Your home is an important space for you and your family. It should meet your family’s basic needs and be a place where love, togetherness, and community flourishes. For that reason, your home should stand the test of time. Choosing the correct material for your home’s exterior is a huge part of that! 

Not only does your home’s exterior provide structural support to your home, but it’s also the first thing people see. When your kids come home from school, when friends visit for dinner and drinks, and when family visits from out of town, your home’s exterior will be their first impression of your home.

Here at The Old Barn, we believe that beauty is just as important as function when building a home. You might feel as though you have to choose between the two, but the truth is you CAN have a home that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. 

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In this blog, we’ll share the pros and cons of choosing some of the most common home exterior materials to help you make an informed decision.  

Factors to Consider

When choosing the perfect exterior material for your home, you have to think about more than just whichever one you think looks the nicest. 

• Climate: The climate you live in can greatly affect your home’s exterior. Choosing a material that can withstand your climate maintains your home’s structural integrity and looks great for decades to come. For example, vinyl might work in moderate climates, but it can warp in extremely hot or extremely cold weather. 
• Architectural Style: One of the great things about designing your own floor plan is the ability to modify it to your preferences. If you want to mix and match elements from different styles, go for it! However, if you want a particular style, make sure you understand the commonly used exterior materials for that style.
• Cost: Here at The Old Barn, we’re all about finding ways to save where you can. If there’s an option you like but it’s out of your budget, look for cheaper alternatives that still meet your needs. However, we also don’t want you to feel like you’re making sacrifices to stay within your budget, which is why we found a way to help you save 25% on your build! 
• Maintenance: Some materials require more upkeep than others. For example, you will need to re-stain wood semi-regularly. Similarly, any painted material will probably need some touch ups at some point. If semi-regular maintenance is something you don’t want to have to worry about, then look for more low-maintenance exterior options. 

Common Home Exterior Materials 

Now that you know some of the most important factors for you to consider when picking an exterior material for your build, let’s talk about some of the most popular material choices. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of each material, plus some different styles that align with certain materials. 

Brick

Probably the most commonly used building material, brick is a timeless material that’s utilized in all sorts of architectural styles. It requires little to no maintenance, comes in a variety of colors and textures, and is highly durable.  

Think carefully about using brick if you live in a humid climate or somewhere with a lot of seismic activity. Over time, you might be dealing with leaking or cracks in your brick.

For our build, we used two different types of brick as part of our exterior. For the bottom trim of our home, we used a red brick called Fireside by Meridian. The rest of our brick was “painters brick”, which is often brick that costs less because it is an undesirable color. We knew we were going to paint our brick white anyways, so this helped us save a little money!

Siding 

Another common building exterior material is siding. Although different kinds of siding have greatly increased in popularity in the last ten years or so, siding has been used in home design for decades as an affordable and aesthetically pleasing protection against the elements. 

However, there are a lot of different options when it comes to siding, and each of them have their own pros and cons for you to consider before you choose one. Some of the most common types of siding include: 

• Fiber Cement: Fiber cement is a type of siding that’s made to mimic the look of wood siding but uses other materials for a more durable, pest-resistant, fire-resistant, and long-lasting siding option. For our build, we utilized Hardie® fiber cement siding. This siding replicates the look of painted wood; unlike wood, though, this siding is resistant to pests and the elements, keeping our home stable and our family safe!
• Wood Clapboard: When you think of siding, you probably imagine traditional wooden clapboard. While this is a timeless, visually appealing, and strong option, wood clapboard is prone to water and weather damage, and it also needs to be re-stained on a regular basis. Make sure you are aware and ready to take on these challenges if you opt for wood clapboard in your build. 
• Wood Composite: Composite siding is made of synthetic materials, such as polyester, nylon and fiberglass. It can be made to look like real wood, and it also comes in an array of colors and textures, giving you a wide variety of aesthetic options. For example, LP smart siding is a mix of wood and resin. This gives the siding the visual appeal of real wood at a more affordable price point. 
• Vinyl: Vinyl is probably the cheapest siding option… for a reason. It is less durable than other siding options, meaning that it may crack, warp, or even melt, which can lead to costly repairs down the line. However, it is rot resistant and won’t get eaten by termites! 

Natural Stone

Stone is a natural option that, similar to brick, can help you achieve a timeless look in a variety of different aesthetics. When you choose to build with natural stone, you can pick from a variety of different colors and textures to achieve the perfect look. Additionally, stone is extremely durable, making it a great up-front investment for the structural integrity of your home.

Some stone is highly porous, so make sure to seal your stone semi-regularly to avoid erosion from weather. Stone can also get expensive fast, so browse a variety of different types of stone to see if you can find one that meets all of your needs without going over your budget. 

Also, pay attention to the thickness of your stone! Thicker stone might be more expensive, but it also will more positively contribute to your home’s structural integrity. Veneer is the thinnest option at 1-2” thick, while some stones can get up to 18” thick. 

Stucco

Stucco is an incredible energy-efficient, cost-effective, and durable exterior option. Although it does require some maintenance over time, maintenance needs with stucco are usually fairly inexpensive. Additionally, stucco applies without seams, making it fantastic at insulating. 

Stylistically, stucco is most common in Spanish Mission and Tuscan-style homes. This aesthetic niche makes it an uncommon choice. With some savvy, though, you can make stucco work for any home style. 

Metal 

Metal is a fairly low-maintenance and pest-resistant option. While metal traditionally creates a modern, industrial look, you can also utilize a metal exterior if you are building a barndominium-style home. 

However, metal can be quite expensive, and you have fewer color choices with metal than you would with other materials. Additionally, metal can easily be dented, scratched, and dented, and it offers poor insulation when used on its own. If you choose to use metal for your exterior, layer it with other materials to keep your home’s temperature regulated. 

Building Your Dream Home On a Budget 

There are plenty of other materials you could use for the exterior of your dream home. However, we recommend using one of these most commonly used materials for a home that lasts. Use the information in this blog as a starting point, and choose an exterior material that makes sense for your environment, your visual preferences, and your budget. 

We’ve talked a lot recently about some of the other different decisions that go into your dream build. Building a home is a big decision to make, with tons of important little decisions along the way. Check out some of our other blogs about important home decisions: 

Pick the Perfect Cabinets For Your Dream Home

Your Guide to Choosing Perfect Countertops For Your Dream Home

Choosing the Right Flooring For Your Build

Still feeling overwhelmed by the homebuilding process? Have you been wanting to get started on your dream home, but you feel scared of rising building prices? Looking for ways to build a home without breaking the bank? 

We developed a program for people just like you! Our Bootstrap Builders Program helps you save 25% on your home build by being your own General Contractor. We know this can be an intimidating responsibility to take on, so this course covers everything you need to know for a successful build. 
Learn more about our Bootstrap Builders Program here, or simply reach out if you have questions!