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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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