Selecting Exterior Materials
Your home's exterior serves multiple critical functions beyond just appearances. It's the first line of defense against weather conditions, impacts energy efficiency, affects maintenance requirements, and significantly influences resale value. In North Carolina's varied climate, from humid summers to occasional winter storms, choosing durable and appropriate materials is extremely important.
The exterior materials you select will typically account for 15-20% of your overall construction budget, making it one of the more significant investment decisions in your custom home project. With proper selection and installation, these materials should protect and beautify your home for decades to come.
Let's explore the most popular exterior options for custom homes in the Statesville and greater Lake Norman region, comparing their benefits, considerations, and aesthetic possibilities.
Brick Exteriors: Timeless Elegance
Few building materials have the historical pedigree and proven durability of brick. As a traditional choice for homes throughout North Carolina, brick offers numerous advantages for custom home exteriors.
Benefits of Brick Exteriors
- Exceptional Durability: Quality brick can last for centuries with minimal maintenance. It doesn't rot, fade significantly, or succumb to insect damage.
- Fire Resistance: Brick provides excellent protection against fire, often resulting in lower insurance premiums.
- Energy Efficiency: The thermal mass of brick helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night.
- Sound Insulation: The density of brick helps reduce outside noise, creating a quieter indoor environment.
- Low Maintenance: Brick requires little upkeep beyond occasional cleaning and checking mortar integrity every 20-30 years.
- Timeless Appeal: Brick homes maintain their aesthetic appeal and rarely look dated as design trends change.
Considerations for Brick
While brick offers many advantages, there are several factors to consider:
- Higher Initial Cost: Brick installation is more labor-intensive and typically costs more upfront than some other siding options.
- Limited Design Flexibility: Once installed, brick is permanent and difficult to modify, requiring commitment to your color and style choice.
- Potential Moisture Issues: Improper installation can lead to moisture problems, making proper construction techniques critical.
- Weight Considerations: Brick is heavy and requires proper foundation support.
Brick Styles and Options
Today's brick offerings go far beyond the standard red clay brick. Modern options include:
- Various color ranges from traditional reds to whites, grays, and browns
- Different textures from smooth-faced to rustic, tumbled finishes
- Multiple sizes beyond standard dimensions
- Various bond patterns (how bricks are arranged) for visual interest
- Mortar color choices that dramatically alter the overall appearance
Stone Exteriors: Natural Beauty
Natural stone exteriors provide a distinctive, high-end appearance that many homeowners desire for their custom homes. Stone brings unique character and organic beauty that manufactured products simply can't replicate.
Benefits of Stone Exteriors
- Unmatched Aesthetic Appeal: Each stone is unique, creating a one-of-a-kind exterior that cannot be precisely duplicated.
- Exceptional Durability: Properly installed stone can last for generations with minimal maintenance.
- Increased Property Value: Stone exteriors often command premium resale values and create strong curb appeal.
- Weather Resistance: Stone stands up exceptionally well to severe weather conditions.
- Aging Beauty: Unlike some materials that deteriorate in appearance over time, stone often develops enhanced character as it ages.
- Thermal Mass: Similar to brick, stone provides excellent thermal mass for energy efficiency.
Considerations for Stone
Natural stone comes with certain considerations:
- Premium Cost: Stone is typically the most expensive exterior cladding option, both in materials and installation.
- Weight Factors: Stone is extremely heavy and requires proper structural support and foundation considerations.
- Installation Expertise: Proper installation requires skilled masons with specific experience in stonework.
- Limited Color Control: As a natural material, stone color variations are inherent and cannot be precisely controlled.
- Maintenance of Mortar: While the stone itself is low maintenance, mortar joints may need occasional attention.
Stone Types and Applications
Common stone types used in North Carolina custom homes include:
- Fieldstone: Irregular, rustic stones with varied colors and textures
- Limestone: Typically lighter in color with a more uniform appearance
- Granite: Extremely durable with distinctive flecking and color variations
- Sandstone: Available in warm earth tones with visible layering
- Slate: Often used as accent stone with distinctive cleft surfaces
Stone applications can range from full exteriors to accent features around entryways, columns, or foundation facings.
Stone Veneer: Natural Look with Practical Benefits
Stone veneer provides the appearance of full stone at a fraction of the weight and cost. It comes in two primary forms: natural thin stone veneer (cut from actual stone) and manufactured stone veneer (made from concrete and aggregates with coloring to simulate stone).
Benefits of Stone Veneer
- Authentic Appearance: Especially with natural thin veneer, the look is virtually indistinguishable from full-dimension stone.
- Weight Reduction: Veneer weighs significantly less than full stone, eliminating many structural concerns.
- Cost Effectiveness: Provides the stone aesthetic at a lower price point than full-dimension stone.
- Installation Flexibility: Can be applied to various substrates and existing structures.
- Variety of Options: Extensive selection of styles, colors, and textures to match any design vision.
Considerations for Stone Veneer
When considering stone veneer, keep in mind:
- Proper Installation is Critical: Water management details are essential to prevent moisture issues.
- Quality Variations: Significant differences exist between premium and budget products, affecting long-term appearance.
- Natural vs. Manufactured: Natural thin veneer typically costs more but offers authentic stone appearance, while manufactured versions provide more consistent coloration.
- Edge Visibility: Design must account for exposed edges where the veneer nature of the material might be visible.
- Long-term Aging: Natural stone veneer weathers similarly to full stone, while manufactured products may show more noticeable aging over decades.
Mixed Material Exteriors: The Best of All Worlds
Perhaps the most exciting trend in custom home design is the strategic mixing of exterior materials. This approach allows for creative expression while maximizing the benefits of different materials in appropriate applications.
Benefits of Mixed Material Exteriors
- Architectural Interest: Multiple textures and materials create visual depth and distinctive design.
- Cost Optimization: Premium materials can be used selectively in high-impact areas.
- Performance Advantages: Each material can be applied where its properties are most beneficial.
- Personalization: Mixed materials allow for greater customization and unique expression.
- Design Flexibility: Creates opportunities for accent features and focal points.
- Zoning Compliance: Helps meet architectural requirements in communities with specific material mandates.
Popular Material Combinations
Some of the most successful material pairings we've implemented include:
- Brick with Stone Accents: Using stone around entryways, on columns, or as foundation facing with brick as the primary material
- Stone and Siding: Combining stone on the lower portion of the home with quality siding above
- Brick and Board-and-Batten: Creating contrast between traditional brick and vertical board-and-batten siding elements
- Three-Material Harmony: Integrating stone foundation elements, brick primary walls, and accent areas of siding or stucco
- Material and Color Transitions: Using material changes to delineate architectural features or create visual interest through color blocking
Design Principles for Mixed Materials
When incorporating multiple materials, consider these design principles:
- Material Transitions: Plan logical transition points at inside corners, floor lines, or architectural breaks
- Color Harmony: Ensure complementary color palettes across different materials
- Balance: Maintain appropriate proportions between different materials
- Consistency: Use related textures or complementary materials across the design
- Focal Points: Use premium materials strategically to highlight architectural features
Maintenance Considerations for Different Exteriors
How much time and money you want to invest in ongoing maintenance should influence your exterior material choices. Read our blog post about which high-end finishings add value to your custom home.
Maintenance Requirements by Material
- Brick: Minimal maintenance beyond occasional cleaning and mortar inspection every few decades
- Natural Stone: Similar to brick, requiring little maintenance besides cleaning and periodic mortar inspection
- Stone Veneer: Natural veneer has similar requirements to full stone; manufactured products may need more attention to prevent color fading
- Mixed Materials: Maintenance varies by material, with potential for more complex upkeep due to different cleaning and repair requirements
Long-Term Care Tips
No matter which exterior materials you select, these practices will help maintain their beauty and integrity:
- Keep vegetation trimmed away from exterior surfaces
- Ensure proper drainage away from the home's foundation
- Clean surfaces gently as recommended for specific materials
- Address any moisture issues promptly
- Regularly inspect for and repair any damaged areas or failing seals
Local Considerations for North Carolina Homes
The climate and architectural styles of North Carolina influence which exterior materials work best for custom homes in our region.
In the Lake Norman area and surrounding counties we serve (Iredell, Catawba, Rowan, Davie, Cabarrus, and Mecklenburg), we need to account for:
- Humidity and Moisture: Proper installation with appropriate moisture barriers is critical
- Temperature Fluctuations: Materials must handle both summer heat and occasional winter freezes
- Local Aesthetic: Traditional materials like brick and stone align well with regional architectural styles
- Community Standards: Many neighborhoods have design guidelines influencing material selections
Making Your Decision: Factors to Consider
When selecting your custom home exterior materials, consider these factors:
- Budget: Both initial investment and long-term maintenance costs
- Architectural Style: How materials complement your home's design
- Personal Preference: Your aesthetic tastes and desired appearance
- Neighborhood Context: How your home will relate to surrounding properties
- Longevity Goals: How long you plan to remain in the home
- Environmental Conditions: Local climate and site-specific factors
- Maintenance Willingness: Your comfort level with ongoing upkeep
Read our blog post about working with a custom home builder here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Exteriors
What is the most durable exterior material for North Carolina's climate?
Both brick and natural stone offer exceptional durability in North Carolina's climate. These materials withstand humidity, temperature fluctuations, and severe weather events with minimal deterioration over time. With proper installation and occasional maintenance, both can last for generations.
How does exterior material choice affect home value?
Quality exterior materials generally increase home value, with brick and stone typically commanding premium resale values. However, the execution and appropriate application of materials for the architectural style and neighborhood context matter more than the specific materials alone.
Can I combine more than two exterior materials?
Yes, many custom homes successfully integrate three or more materials. The key is thoughtful design that creates logical transitions and maintains visual harmony. Working with experienced designers helps ensure multiple materials enhance rather than overwhelm the architecture.
How do material choices affect energy efficiency?
Masonry materials like brick and stone provide thermal mass that moderates temperature swings. However, the insulation system behind these materials plays a more significant role in energy efficiency. A well-designed building envelope with proper insulation and air sealing is more important than the exterior cladding material itself.
What exterior materials require the least maintenance?
Brick and natural stone generally require the least maintenance among common exterior materials. Both need only occasional cleaning and mortar inspection every few decades. Manufactured stone veneer and quality siding products have moderate maintenance needs, while stucco and wood typically require more regular attention.
The Long View Custom Homes Approach
At Long View Custom Homes, we understand that selecting exterior materials is a significant decision that impacts both the appearance and performance of your custom home. We believe in building homes that look beautiful and continue to perform and maintain their appeal for generations. Our experience building custom homes throughout Iredell County and surrounding areas has given us valuable insight into which materials and combinations work best in our region. For more information about custom home exteriors or to discuss your project, contact us to schedule a consultation.