MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
Upon completing this section, you should be able to
identify the types of modern exterior finishes and discuss
their advantages and disadvantages
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
EXTERIOR FINISH
An exterior finish is a material or coating used to protect and
decorate the exterior wall surfaces of a home. exterior finishes
include siding, shingles, stucco and masonry veneer.
An exterior finish is the type of material that covers a house or
building. It is the outside covering that protects the structure of
the building against the outside elements.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
SIDING
Material used to surface the exterior of a building to protect
against exposure to the elements, prevent heat loss, and visually
unify the facade.
Siding and other types of exterior wall covering affect the
appearance and the maintenance of a structure, the material and
pattern should be selected carefully.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
WOOD SIDING
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
WOOD SIDING
-One of the materials most used for structure exteriors is wood siding.
The essential properties required for siding are good painting
characteristics, easy working qualities, and freedom from warp
-Homes that are finished with wood are beautiful and really stand out
against the vinyl and aluminum sided homes.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
WOOD SIDING Advantages:
-Wood siding can be installed quickly.
-It also reduces installation cost and time.
-Wood siding is cheap and is a low-cost alternative to other siding
materials.
-Because the material is easily available, replacement is quick and
easy.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
WOOD SIDING Disdvantages:
-The biggest drawback of wood siding is that it offers no insulation.
-It is prone to damage and needs frequent coats of paint and weather-
stripping.
WORMS AND INSECTS
-Worms and insects are the biggest threat to wood, which gradually
degrades the entire woodblock.
There are many kinds of wood available in the market.
They keep themselves protected from
worms and insects, but the price of such
wood is very high.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
WOOD SIDING Disdvantages:
-Maintenance
-Cost
-Fire resistance
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
VINYL SIDING
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
VINYL SIDING
-Vinyl is the most affordable choice for the exterior of your home;
however, it is easily damaged during wind storms or if something hits
your house.
- It’s not uncommon for vinyl to fade over time and although it is
available in a range of colors, it is best to avoid trendy colors,
especially darker shades, which can fade more easily.
- Vinyl is the most popular type of exterior finish
because it is readily available, often in stock at
your local hardware store – or can be ordered
quickly – and is easy to install.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
VINYL SIDING Advantages:
-Vinyl Siding Does Not Need Painting
-Vinyl Siding Is Inexpensive
-Vinyl Siding Is Low Maintenance
Vinyl siding's slick surface means that dust, cobwebs, and other
debris slide off relatively easily when sprayed down with a garden
hose. Because there is no paint to peel, you will never have to scrape,
patch, prime, and paint your house's exterior surface.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
VINYL SIDING Disdvantages:
-Vinyl Siding Can Result in Other Maintenance Issues
Manufacturers often advertise that high-quality siding lasts about 20
to 30 years. However, depending on your climate, the siding might
actually begin to show its age after only 10 to 15 years. Vinyl siding,
especially dark siding, begins to fade in sunny climates
-DIFFICULT (IMPOSSIBLE?) TO PAINT
Once your vinyl siding is starting to look a little bit faded, you will
most likely be looking at a full replacement. There are companies out
there that will offer to paint your vinyl siding for you,
but painting vinyl siding isn’t as simple
as painting wood or fiber-cement siding.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
ALUMINUM SIDING
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
ALUMINUM SIDING
-Aluminum was once very popular, but is losing the race against vinyl
and composite siding these days. However, when it comes to exterior
finishes, some people really like putting aluminum siding on their
homes.
-Ever since the 1930s, aluminum siding has been used to not only
protect homes but also to make them more aesthetically pleasing.
During the early years, aluminum was considered to be a durable,
long-lasting, and affordable alternative to traditional wood siding.
While vinyl siding is the go-to option these days, aluminum siding is
still an effective option for protecting your home from the natural
elements.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
ALUMINUM SIDING advantages:
1. Pro: Cost Effective
One of the biggest benefits of aluminum siding is that it’s extremely
affordable. If you’re on a small budget, this is the siding to choose. In
fact, aluminum siding can be almost 80% cheaper than other siding
materials! This is because the siding is often made from recycled
materials, which reduces the overall cost.
2. Pro: Eco-Friendly
Not only is aluminum siding created using recycled material, it’s 100%
recyclable. This means your old siding will never end up in a landfill.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
ALUMINUM SIDING advantages:
3. Pro: Durable
Aluminum siding is usually made from aluminum coil stock and other
hard materials, making it extremely durable. The siding is also coated
with a protective top layer to prevent erosion and then finished with a
color and texture.
4. Pro: Low Maintenance
Unlike other forms of siding that can rot or become mildewed,
aluminum siding is extremely low maintenance. To take care of
aluminum siding, you’ll have to rinse it a few times during the year to
remove any debris that may have become
lodged in the seams.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
ALUMINUM SIDING disadvantages:
1. Con: Can be Noisy
Temperature changes can cause aluminum siding to expand and
contract. This can cause pinging or popping noises that can be
annoying to some homeowners. These sounds aren’t overly loud but
can be heard if you have a keen sense of hearing.
2. Con: Prone to Minor Damage
Even if you use heavy gauge aluminum, the fact is that aluminum is a
soft metal which means it’s susceptible to dents and scratches. If you
live in an area where hail is common or if there’s heavy traffic around
your home’s exterior, you run the risk of
minor damage.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
ALUMINUM SIDING disadvantages:
3. Con: Out of Style
Since all sorts of other materials are now used for siding, some
consider aluminum to be out of style and dated. Depending on where
you live, having aluminum siding may reduce the value of your home
or may sway a potential buyer into choosing another house.
4. Con: Can Become Worn
Because aluminum siding is finished with a colored-top coat, over
time, exposure to rain, wind, and other natural elements can cause the
color to fade and become worn. This makes it much harder to match
the siding color, especially if you only need to
replace a few panels.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
FIBER CEMENT SIDING
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
FIBER CEMENT SIDING
Fiber cement siding offers maximum durability and resistance to
prolonged exposure
Fiber cement siding is a durable and low-maintenance material that is
commonly used to cover the exterior of houses and, in some cases,
commercial buildings. It's manufactured with cellulose fibers, along
with cement and sand, making it long-lasting and durable.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
FIBER CEMENT SIDING
PROS CONS
Durable Heavy
Fire resistant Brittle: may chip or crack
Insect resistant Dusty when cut
Great appearance Higher cost
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
STUCCO SIDING
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
STUCCO SIDING
Stucco is a natural cement-based material that cures to a hardened
state when applied. Stucco finishes are relatively low maintenance, last
several decades, and can be painted when a change of color is desired.
Stucco has a large range of finish textures available, ranging from a
smooth, lace, dash, sand finish, old English to comb texture.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
STUCCO SIDING Advantages:
-Durability
-Stands up well to weather, wind and debris
-Choice of any color and many textures
-Can be formed to create decorative enhancements to the
exterior
-Low maintenance
-Resistant to fire and insects
-Quiets outside noise
-Offers some insulation value
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
STUCCO SIDING Disdvantages:
-May crack as a home expands and contracts with temperature changes, settles or
gets jostled by earthquakes
-Experienced professional installation is crucial for performance and appearance
Note: Stucco can be painted, but many experts discourage it due to the fact that
moisture passes through stucco. When painted, moisture leaving your home can be
trapped in the stucco and cause the paint to peel or worse, cause mold to form in
your home’s framing.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
NATURAL & FAUX STONE VENEERS
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
NATURAL & FAUX STONE VENEERS
Natural and faux stone veneers are protective and decorative coverings for exterior
and interior surfaces, used for a range of designs from siding to outdoor fireplaces.
Natural stone is durable and strong, while manufactured stone can come in a variety
of custom designs and colours. Both have the ability to completely transform the
exterior of a home, ranging in styles from rustic brick to sleek modern slate.
Natural stone is one of the oldest and most beautiful building materials, used for
everything from fences to fireplaces and exterior siding.
It’s also one of the most expensive building products.
As a result, it’s no wonder that manufactured stone
veneer (also called faux stone or cast stone) has become
an appealing alternative to natural stone.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
NATURAL & FAUX STONE VENEERS advantages:
1) Variety and Design: stone veneer products are, at their most basic, cement. It is the
design, color and molding that the cement goes through that makes it look like
natural stone — so much so that only a true expert would be able to tell the
difference. There are a number of processes that produce a variety of designs and
colors to suit any style or preference people are looking for, giving you more to work
with when using this type of material.
2) Being lightweight, manufactured stone veneer products are easier to work with and
given you more options as to where and how you want to install manufactured stone
veneer products. This means that this material can be used with masonry, wood
frame or metal structures. They don’t need foundation support either.
3) Durability: As long as your manufactured stone veneer products are used, installed
and maintained correctly, you can rely on them to last a very long time.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
NATURAL & FAUX STONE VENEERS disadvantages:
1) Improper installation of this type of veneer can result in severe damage, often
immediately after installation, therefore it is very important that you hire a
professional to do the work for you. Otherwise the result will be severe water
damage.
2) Exposure to certain elements will reduce the aesthetic appearance of stone veneer.
Such things as harsh chemicals, paint thinners, de-icing salts, and cleaning solvents
can scar and stain the surface or result in discoloration. In general though,
manufactured stone veneer products are hardy.
3) Manufactured stone veneer products may not be the best to use in swimming
pools, as chlorine can cause discoloration.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
How to Select the Right Exterior Finishes for
Your Modern House
-Aesthetics and initial cost must be balanced with maintenance.
When researching the materials and finishes for your new home,
understand the level of maintenance that different materials
require, and the time and expense entailed.
-Do a little research
-Be climate- and region-specific.
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
MODERN EXTERIOR FINISHES
