Today’s Home Construction Materials Offer Convenience and Beauty

Homeowners and their architects, designers and contractors used to have to choose between the beauty of genuine wood and stone or the easy maintenance of man-made alternatives. But all that has changed. In today’s home construction materials marketplace, a new breed of manufactured products are available that look realistic enough to preserve or even boost your home’s appearance. Keep in mind that some of these modern materials are pricier than the natural versions, but in the long run, they will save you money and effort plus add value when you are selling your home. Here are my top three man-made alternatives:
1) Fiber/Cement clapboards and shingles cut from sheets of special, slightly flexible cement mixed with wood fibers won’t rot, warp, or cup. Typically factory painted, these are nailed one by one onto your house, just like the real thing; creating an authentic, handcrafted look that comes with a 30 year warranty.
 
2) Cellular PVC can be used as natural-looking trim on the outside of your home. Recycled from the plastic used for plumbing drains, air is added while the material is molten to get that wood-like density. Your contractor can cut, shape, and install the boards just like lumber and you will enjoy a 25-year warranty.
 
3) Today’s quartz countertops made from chips of natural quartz mixed with high-tech resins and pigments have hyper-realistic veining and are available in any color. Check them out for yourself online at sites like www.cambriausa.com and www.silestoneusa.com. Quartz needs only standard sponge cleaning and does not require sealing annually like granite or twice a year like marble and limestone.
I frequently consult with my clients and their architects, designers and contractors regarding home construction materials and their impact on the home’s resale value. If you’re in the market to buy or sell your home in Montecito, let me help. Give me call me at 805.886.9378 or contact me via email at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. I’ve been in this industry for more than 20 years specializing in Montecito, Summerland and Santa Barbara real estate.