Homeowners have less and less time to worry about the upkeep of their home, especially some of the larger, more time-consuming jobs, such as exterior home maintenance. Here we outline options to consider that are low-maintenance and durable when you’re facing your next project or renovation.
ROOFING:
Rethink your roof. This day and age, we have a lot more roofing choices than just the traditional asphalt shingle roofs. If you’re looking to stay with asphalt shingles, consider upgrading to the newer asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles have double thick tabs made with weather grade asphalt between the layers.
There are also roofing tiles made of cement and fiber. They’re made to look like slate and tile but are less expensive and last longer than your traditional roofing tile.
If you’re in the market for a new roof and don’t want to worry about replacing it again for a long time (like 40-60 years!) then you might consider a metal roof. While it is more expensive initially, the investment will pay off over time since you won’t have to worry about leaks, repairs or replacement. Metal roofs are available in various colors and styles to choose from and are rust proof and fire resistant.
DECKING:
Adding a new deck or replacing an existing deck? Consider bypassing the traditional wood decking and investing in composite decking. Known for warping and splitting, wood decking needs annual sealing to keep it in decent shape. Composite decking is a low-maintenance alternative, which does not need sanding, painting or annul repairs. While the initial investment is pricier than traditional wood, your composite deck will last upwards of 25 years.
PORCH/DECK RAILINGS:
If you haven’t had to replace your deck or porch in quite same time, you might not be aware that PVC Railing Systems are an option. While similar systems have been on the market for quite some time, the quality and appearance were lacking. These newer systems look like your more expensive wood options, come in a variety of colors, are rust proof and covered with weatherproof PVC. Unlike wood railing, the PVC Railing Systems will last approximately 50 years.
GUTTERS:
Gutters are always a source of contention for homeowners. At least once a year, homeowners need to clean out their gutters to keep them free of leaves and debris. Leaving debris in the gutters is especially worrisome once the temperature starts to fall. If you don’t have a free flow of water through your gutters, you will likely end up with ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs to you roof, and sometimes repairs to the inside of your home as well.
SIDING:
Wood siding on your home? If so, you know keeping up with the maintenance can be a dreadful task. The wear and tear on wood siding from weather in inevitable, and the need to paint your home every so many years is expensive and labor intensive. If you find yourself in a position to upgrade your siding, you have a couple of options to explore.
Fiber-Cement Siding, which is actually a blend of cement, sand and cellulose, is considered a high-end option for your siding needs. The benefits of Fiber-Cement siding are numerous.
- Low-maintenance: has a baked-on paint finish, guaranteed to last up to 15 years
- Durable: fire-retardant, rot-proof, insect-proof; holds up against the weather
- Multiple options: available in horizontal lap boards, shingles, vertical board-and-batt; the appearance is almost identical to real wood graining
- Lasts for 30-50 years.
If Fiber-Cement siding is financially out of your reach, opt for Vinyl siding. Vinyl is a less expensive option for your siding needs but still more durable than wood siding. It’s also low-maintenance, does not require finishing, is color infused so as not to have to repaint and is rot-proof and insect-proof. Vinyl siding will also last considerably longer than wood, providing a lifespan of approximately 35 years.
Contractors build homes with most of these options included. However, if you are not buying a newer home or currently living in a home that needs some upgrades or repairs, do not overlook these options. They are a bit higher in price but will save you time and maintenance fees over the years.