Some new-build communities have limited exterior design options, making entire neighborhoods look the same, with little variety in appearance to distinguish one home from its next-door neighbor.
This invariable style is often a homeowners’ chief disappointment, leading them to contact you to request your help in expressing their personal style and to stand out among the similar-styled houses. There are a number of products and key finishing details that can add up to a custom look.
Make the Entry a Focal Point
Depending on the architectural style of the home, a portico can not only provide a more welcoming entry, it can change the personality of the home, shifting it from ho-hum to gracious and stately. Size, type and appearance of the support columns, stairway balusters, floor and roof materials can all add additional distinction.
Customize the Garage Door
Many new-build communities position the garage front and center to the street elevation. Install a custom garage door in either a bold color or with geometric shapes and flank either side with statement light fixtures.
Install Trim
To improve aesthetics of an otherwise ordinary house, install new trim or replace existing trim around your home’s key features, like gables, columns and windows. LP® SmartSide® trim is available in a wide assortment of widths, in both smooth and cedar texture and in a 16-foot length and can allow for a cleaner look with fewer seams. With this, builders have many trim options to best enhance the current aesthetic.
Transform Exterior Details
For longer-lasting curb appeal, re-side with LP SmartSide siding products in a vibrant and contemporary color palette. LP SmartSide siding is pre-primed and ready to be painted, and is available in either cedar texture or smooth lap siding. For an extra level of intrigue, install in a board and batten style siding, painted in an attractive and modern color.
Many new-build communities use Homeowner Associations (HOAs). A recent LP blog offers practical advice for remodelers building their business while working with HOAs.
If you have questions about installation of LP SmartSide Trim & Siding products, please contact LP by email or phone (1-888-820-0325) for more information and support.
January and February typically usher in the season’s coldest temperatures, bringing the need to use building materials that can withstand frigid temperatures with them. However, it’s often the freeze/thaw cycle––cold days followed by quick warm-ups––that can cause significant damage to a home’s siding. So, what is the best siding for cold climates to combat this?
Continue ReadingWith temperatures dropping, insulation and protecting new construction against the elements are top of mind. Of course, builders must consider how insulated wall sheathing can help meet code requirements and contribute to the overall performance of the building envelope. However, they must also carefully consider potential moisture problems both during and after the build and the potential impacts of freeze/thaw cycles. With the season of potential hard freezes followed by fast warm-ups upon us, let’s explore methods for choosing the best house sheathing for cold climates.
With housing demand at an all-time high, builders do not have the ability to halt home construction during the winter months. Builders can work safely year round, even building houses during winter with planning and preparation. Advanced products and installation methods allow work to be performed during wet and very cold temperatures, but builders also need to consider winter safety for construction workers.
Engineered wood siding has long been considered a trustworthy exterior product for single-family homes, but it is often overlooked for multifamily and commercial construction. LP® SmartSide® products are versatile enough for a range of builds beyond traditional single-family homes. Take a look at the homes featured in Madison Parade of Homes for siding inspiration and to see how LP SmartSide Trim & Siding might suit your building needs.