Dream Homes Construction & Design Blog

Five Exterior Materials for Your Home

Choosing Exterior Materials for Your Home

Choosing materials for the exterior of your home is a big decision! These material choices determine the curb-appeal of your home. There are so many options to choose from. We have narrowed it down to the five exterior materials we use most often and provided the pros and cons of each one!

  • Vinyl Siding
  • James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding
  • Stucco
  • Stone
  • Brick
Home with vinyl siding and stone

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl Siding Pros

  • most affordable option
  • comes in several styles (vertical, lap, shakes)
  • many colors
  • insect resistant

Vinyl Siding Cons

  • while it comes in many colors, the options are limited- can not be painted
  • darker colors may warp or melt in heat
  • fading can occur
James Hardie Dream Collection (vertical and lap siding)

James Hardie Siding

James Hardie Pros

  • unlimited color options
  • several styles of siding (vertical, lap, shakes, panels)
  • storm, fire, & insect resistant
  • can be repainted

James Hardie Cons

  • higher cost (especially when customized)
  • more labor to install
Stucco (custom color)

Stucco

Stucco Pros

  • many color options
  • seamless look
  • good insulator
  • durable

Stucco Cons

  • more expensive
  • can crack
  • labor intensive
Brick exterior

Brick

Brick Pros

  • durable
  • easy to maintain
  • fire, weather, & insect resistant
  • good insulator- temperature control

Brick Cons

  • more expensive option
  • can crack due to foundation settling
  • repairs can be costly
  • repairs are sometimes difficult to match existing perfectly
  • can trap moisture if not properly installed
Stone and James Hardie Architectural Panels

Stone

Stone Pros

  • many color and style options
  • adds a natural element
  • good insulator
  • fire, weather, & insect resistant

Stone Cons

  • more expensive option
  • can crack due to foundation settling
  • repairs can be costly
  • repairs are sometimes difficult to match existing perfectly
  • can trap moisture if not properly installed
Sone, James Hardie Architectural Panels, and James Hardie Plank Lap Siding

The materials chosen for the exterior of your home add character and personalization. There is much depth added when multiple materials are used (like the home shown above). We would love to help you with the material selection process when you build your 'Dream Home' with us!

If you are interested in building with us, check out Dream Homes Construction & Design!

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3315 W 1st St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 300-5006
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