Choosing an Exterior Veneer

What’s in an exterior? Would brick by any other name smell as sweet? In this month’s blog, we’ll be discussing different exterior veneers. The material on the exterior of your home makes all the difference since it’s the first impression when it comes to curb appeal. When perusing not only our homes but pictures of homes in general, you’ll notice they feature a variety of exterior veneers such as brick, hardie, vinyl, stucco, and stone. There are definitely pros and cons to each veneer. Let’s delve a little deeper.

Brick is a great choice for a long-lasting exterior veneer since it should last well over 100 years. Another perk is the variety of brick styles and colors you can choose from. These can range from your classic red to something more intricate and patterned.  As far as maintenance, using a garden hose with a spray nozzle once a year will typically suffice unless there is mildew. In that case, you would want to use a brush and bleach.

This exterior siding product should provide protection for your home for a lifetime. Due to the fact that the hardie can be painted any exterior paint color, there are endless possibilities when it comes to color options. Keep in mind that this veneer does require some upkeep. It is recommended to pull out the garden hose and wash your hardie siding every 6-12 months to avoid mildew, grease, and dirt build-up. Similarly, you will likely have to repaint your siding after 10-12 years due to fading and paint chipping.

This material should last for over 100 years, however, it has the price tag to match. The grandeur of a stone exterior is hard to beat and you will see many homeowners choosing this veneer for larger homes. Stone veneer needs to be treated much more delicately than other veneers. Stone should be cleaned with water and mild soap twice a year. It’s very important to avoid harsh cleaning products and pressure washing. When cleaning this veneer twice a year, you’ll also want to take this time to inspect for loose stones so you can have them repointed as soon as possible.

You can expect a stucco finish to last for 50 or more years. Some sources estimate the material may complement your home for up to 100 years. Similar to how hardie gives you the option to really let your personal style shine, you will find your stucco paint color options to be overwhelmingly abundant. Due to its porous nature, stucco will collect dirt and absorb stains. Using a brush to scrub the area and then a moistened microfiber or cotton cloth should clear most stains and dirt. Another matter to take into consideration is repairing stucco. This can be very difficult and costly if not done in a timely matter.

Vinyl siding will protect your home for 60-100 years. This non-porous material is easy to clean and dries quickly. Additionally, it is the most cost-effective option for your home. Regarding upkeep, vinyl siding will be your most low maintenance option. Pressure washing your vinyl once a year is more than enough to keep it looking new. With so many options on the market, there is no one veneer that will work for everyone. When making the choice for your home, you’ll want to take not just the points above into consideration but also what you want the overall feel and look of your home to be. You want your home to reflect you and your family so choose wisely.

-Written by our Building Coordinator, Suzanah Hajrula