Building a custom house is exciting. It is the most direct route to the proverbial dream home. To make the dream a reality, however, it is essential to choose the highest-quality materials throughout the construction process.
Contractor-grade materials are used to make the upfront cost look as attractive as possible, but they inevitably start to show their true colors shortly after closing. To help avoid this hassle and guarantee ongoing performance and aesthetics, keep reading as we break down 7 of the best materials for new home construction.
1. Start at the Foundation
A quality home starts with a quality foundation. It sets the stage for the rest of the house to do its job. Foundation waterproofing is an emerging trend in new home construction. It involves using a series of self-adhering drainage mats to direct groundwater away from the foundation walls. This ensures that erosion never threatens the foundational substrate.
In addition, when combined with modern heating for basements, foundation waterproofing can help establish the ongoing comfort and functionality of subterranean living spaces.
2. Install Durable Windows
Windows are required to be one of the most versatile materials in the home. They play a key role in both the interior and exterior. They are also central to both performance and aesthetics. As such, luxury homes are increasingly choosing aluminum window frames over vinyl and wood. Aluminum offers elite resistance to moisture and UV exposure, guaranteeing the fidelity of the windows in all seasons.
To take windows to the next level, look into innovative low-E glass. It has high-tech thermal transmission properties that allows sunlight to enter the home without causing unnecessary warming. This improves the energy efficiency of the home by lowering A/C requirements.
3. Fortify the Building Envelope
Speaking of windows, they are just one component of establishing an airtight building envelope. Proper framing is right there with it. Many new builds are choosing insulated concrete forms (ICF) over traditional wood-panel construction.
ICF yields a continuous frame that is impervious to air and moisture transfer. It also provides outstanding thermal mass for an R-value over 23.5–nearly 10 points higher than that of wood-panel framing.
If you do decide to go with the more economical wood panels, it is imperative to invest in a comprehensive selection of insulation tools and materials–such as mineral wool–to enhance energy efficiency and limit thermal transfer through the building envelope.
4. Prioritize Low Maintenance Features
Contemporary homeowners are exceptionally busy. The vast majority of households are multi-income, leaving little free time to devote to housekeeping. In addition, an increasing percentage of people are remote professionals, eliminating the workday reprieve homes of the past enjoyed.
With these 24/7 demands and less time for maintenance, it is a great idea to choose the lowest maintenance building materials possible. Some great options include nonporous quartz countertops, fiber cement siding, stainless steel fixtures, and polished concrete floors.
5. Choose Modern Roofing
A home’s roof is its first line of defense against the elements. It must be able to withstand precipitation, UV-exposure, high winds, and projectile impact in stride. Not only does this provide insulation and protection for the home, but it puts the cherry on top of stunning aesthetics.
Due to these multifaceted demands on roofing, modern homeowners are choosing innovative composites over traditional asphalt shingles and wood shakes. Not only are composites some of the best fireproof roof shingles on the market, but their inorganic fabrication yields the highest resistance to impact and UV-damage as well. Composite shingles are rated to last 50+ years but will likely outlast the life of the home if given the proper care.
6. Give the Exterior Some Love
Functional exterior space is a priority in modern homes. People value the chance to step outside and enjoy a change of scenery without leaving their property. Unfortunately, many exteriors sit severely underutilized because they are ill-equipped to handle the demands.
Install louvered pergolas over all exterior hangouts for shade and weather protection. Add low-profile hog wire railing around decks to secure space without encumbering views. Choose durable composite pavers for patio floors to withstand heavy foot traffic while promoting optimal drainage.
7. Don’t Neglect the Driveway
On the subject of exteriors, don’t overlook the driveway. Cracked, stained, and otherwise degraded driveways create an eyesore. The most popular driveway material, concrete, is stunning when new but quickly loses its luster. Concrete driveways readily absorb moisture that leads to cracking. They are also heavily dependent on the substrate avoiding erosion.
A more durable, weather-resistant driveway is permeable gravel. Modern gravel driveways use a series of permeable pavers in the substrate to hold surface gravel in place. This eliminates the rutting and clumping concerns inherent to traditional gravel driveways while still taking advantage of gravel’s elite drainage, helping ensure the stunning stone aspect with minimal intervention.
Get a Leg Up on Quality Home Construction with Innovative Materials
From foundation waterproofing to permeable gravel driveways, there is no shortage of innovative materials to take custom homes to the next level. By considering any of the ideas listed above, you put yourself on the fast track to making your dream home a reality. For the latest trends in household lifestyle and home improvement, explore the resources at Homewares Insider for the leading insights in the industry!
