Building a new home is a very exciting time - and moving in is even better. Everything inside and outside a new home functions beautifully and reliably. New homeowners have virtually no maintenance chores other than cleaning and performing yard work duties. Homeowners can spend their first few years adding their own personal touches and simply enjoying their home. Wouldn't it be great to extend these relatively carefree years even longer by selecting the right materials when first building the home? Fortunately it’s very easy to do so, simply by choosing durable materials for your new home. It’s often the little details that make the biggest difference, so we’ve outlined some key areas for consideration below:
Choose Cladding Carefully
Cladding options such as fibre cement are extremely low maintenance and with a range of styles available you won’t need to compromise on design. Fibre cement cladding is resistant to rotting, fire, impact, moisture damage and termites, not to mention will overcome the need to repaint the exterior of your house so often! Available styles include sheets, a variety of weatherboard styles, vertically grooved panels and many more to suit your desired look and feel.
Tough Bench Tops
Bench tops are an important investment because they are one feature of a home that's typically not replaced very often. Quartz is a great material for benches because it is almost impossible to stain, it is tough, durable and resists scratching which means your bench tops will look beautiful for years to come.
FOREVER FLOORING
If you want durable, yet beautiful flooring that is easy to clean, consider laminate or some of the newer styles of vinyl plank flooring. Both products are available in a variety of styles that can mimic real hardwood or natural stone. These types of products resist moisture and scuffs, they never need refinishing, and they look fantastic.
Durable Decking
Decks are great addition to a home's exterior, but it is important to select the right materials for them otherwise homeowners will spend the majority of their outdoor time maintaining their deck, rather than relaxing on it. Composite decking has come a long way and now provides an incredible amount of resilience against the outside elements. This type of decking will not chip, fade or rot. It is immune from insect attacks and those with antimicrobial coatings resist the growth of mildew and mould. Manufacturers now make this kind of decking to look beautiful as well, mimicking their real wood counterparts.
Remember the Roof
Metal roofs can last in excess of 40 years making them the perfect option for home owners who don't want to have to think about their roof for many decades to come. You can forget about the hassle of replacing individual shingles after a storm or worrying about cleaning/repainting your roof due to general wear and tear. Metal roofs are also highly resistant to fire providing additional protection for your home.
Taking the time to select durable materials for your home will allow you to forgo some of the traditional maintenance chores required by more traditional materials. Want to know more about simplifying your life with a minimal maintenance home? Contact one of our home design experts who can talk you through your options today.
