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By: Dalton C. Reynolds
The choices that you make when designing and building a
new home or purchasing an existing home affect your value
throughout the time of ownership. No time is the highest
value more important than when selling. Each decision you
make will affect value and play a role in what the house
is ultimately worth in a re-sale. Make your choices carefully.
Do your research. Talk to realtors about what is in demand
in your area. A good example of a value choice is the use
of brick and stone masonry for your exterior. In American
architecture, nothing evokes feelings solidity and permanence
like masonry.
Have you ever read through the classified home listings,
or seen a realtor’s flyer and read the words, “four
sides brick?” There is a reason that real estate professionals
market a home this way. It is a signal of quality to a potential
buyer. While stucco and siding are both attractive options
for cladding the exterior of your home, brick and stone
masonry will increase the value. Upon arrival at a perspective
new home, a buyer will usually begin assessing it from the
minute that they turn into the driveway.
Stucco
When applied properly hard coat stucco can be an effective
exterior cladding while also providing flexible design.
When purchasing an existing stucco home, a buyer should
have two thoughts in mind.
1. Is this house a hard coat stucco or EIFS? (a synthetic
stucco system)
2. Will an inspector need to be hired to examine the condition
of the exterior and locate any moisture behind the walls?
Already there are roadblocks in the buyers mind about purchasing
the home. Both questions would need to be answered. You
need to know what type of stucco it is, and a specialized,
professional inspector is always a good idea no matter the
type. A professional stucco inspector can determine where
there are problems and check for moisture behind the material,
while suggesting the extent of damage and remedies in a
thorough report.
Siding
Siding tends to have fewer stigmas than stucco. While it
does not have the solidness of brick, when installed correctly,
it does an excellent job of protecting the interior of the
home from moisture. Houses clad with siding seem to have
a certain charm and appeal to Americans as it is used from
coast to coast. With a siding home, again, it is a good
idea to have a thorough inspection to uncover any moisture
that has found a path into the interior. A proper inspection
will reveal if the siding was installed correctly. Make
sure your inspector examines the following areas of a siding
clad home where there may be problems.
1. The seams at door and window openings
2. Around vents, such as a dryer vent, and pipes that must
pass through to the interior
3. Any area where siding might meets the ground
4. The connection of a siding clad chimney to the house
structure
5. Areas where landscaping touches the home
Also, it is a good idea to determine the type of siding...
There are several types in use today: wood, cement fiber
board and vinyl. Wood siding is beautiful, but will ultimately
require maintenance due to exposure to the elements. You
will eventually need to replace boards, nails and frequently
paint to keep it in the best condition. Cement fiber board
is an excellent choice. It is very durable, emulates the
look of wood, but will stand the test of time. The advantage
of vinyl siding is the ease of maintenance. When properly
installed, vinyl siding will only require cleansing from
season to season with a mild solution and water to keep
it looking new.
Brick and Stone Masonry
Brick and stone masonry has stood the test of time in our
culture. While wood sided homes have come and gone over
the decades, we know that homes in the Northeastern United
States built at our country’s inception are still
standing today. Brick and stone products inspire a feeling
of solidity and permanence. There are very few problems
associated with brick or stone. They protect the interior
of your home like a fortress, withstand the elements and
bring great resale value as it passes confidence along from
one owner to the next.
When you have a masonry home inspected, make sure note
is taken of any cracks that have appeared in the mortar,
which might be the result of settling or another stress
on the wall. Check the system of weep holes which are used
to drain moisture from behind the walls. Make sure these
holes are not obstructed. Additionally, check ground level
areas where weep holes could actually perform the reverse
function and take moisture in during flooding rains.
Fortunately brick and stone masonry, for the most part,
are maintenance free, durable, and a value addition to any
home. Today there are many choices in masonry and a visit
to a local brick and stone company will make selecting a
color and style a breeze. Many have small mock ups of what
a wall would look like in each product that they sell. One
of the most fun ways to select your new brick or stone is
to take a drive around neighborhoods you like and focus
on brick colors and the shapes and variation in the stonework.
This way you would better be able to envision what the exterior
of your finished home might look like.
Whatever the material you choose for the exterior of your
home, installation is the key component. Take the time to
ensure all proper procedures are followed for the specific
material. When buying an existing home, hire an inspector!
No question you might have about the exterior cladding of
a home is a bad one. You are protecting a very large investment.
About The Author
Dalton C. Reynolds is a contributing writer for http://www.atlantadesigndirectory.com
and renovates homes for clients in the greater Atlanta,
GA area. Copyright © 2006 Dalton C. Reynolds.
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