Are you currently planning out your new construction custom home? If you haven’t yet started building your new home but want to make sure it’s sturdy, durable and aesthetically-pleasing, you may want to learn more about the different materials available for home construction and which ones may be right for you. Picking your home materials involves several key considerations, including style and aesthetics, budget concerns, durability, appropriateness for your local climate, availability in your area and more. If you’ve never gone through the home construction process before and you’re not sure how to make sure you choose the right materials for your new home, try following these four easy tips.
1. Ask Your Builder About Some of the Most Commonly Used Materials
Fortunately, you don’t have to start entirely from scratch when picking out your home materials. In fact, you may be able to shorten your search time considerably by asking your builder about some of the most commonly used home construction materials to start brainstorming. The most frequently used materials are generally chosen for their durability, availability and ease of use in the construction process. Some of these materials may, for instance, include:
- Steel
- Stone
- Brick
- Concrete
- Wood
- Tile
2. Outline Your Home Budget and Identify the Materials You Can Afford
In many cases, the types of materials you end up using for your home may depend on your home budget, your other house-related expenses and how much you can ultimately afford to spend. Before you spring for the most luxurious materials available, you may want to sit down and outline your house budget to figure out what works best for your financial situation. As you do these calculations, be sure to keep in mind:
- The amount of each material used
- The total cost of each material type
- The added expense of labor for working with and installing different materials
- The expected longevity and return on investment of each material
- The availability of each material in your region
3. Consider Your Desired Home Style and Its Associated Materials
Another factor that can impact your choice of home materials is your desired home style or theme. Certain architectural styles are generally associated with specific materials, so you may need to narrow down your aesthetic preferences before you can pick out your materials. For example, it may be helpful to remember that:
- French country homes may require stone
- Modernist homes may require steel and concrete
- Traditional colonial homes may require red or white brick
- Sleek yet straightforward suburban homes may require wood
- Mediterranean-style homes may require tile and shingles
4. Weigh the Sustainability of Each Materials Choice
Lastly, if sustainability is something that’s important to you, you may wish to consider more eco-friendly materials before building your house. For instance, you can make your new home more sustainable by including:
- Solar power
- Eco-friendly insulation
- Plant-based foam
- Recycled steel
- Recycled plastic
When it comes to finding the best materials to build your home with, there are several important factors you should take into consideration. By using these tips, you can help ensure that you’ll be completely content with the materials going into your new dream home.