When you step back to admire your home, do you ever think about the amount of time that goes into keeping it that way?
You want the outside of your house to look beautiful, of course, but sometimes, maintaining it can take forever and if there are repairs that need to be done, you might be in for a serious expense. So, what happens in this case? You either do a little bit every day or you take a few hours on the weekends to make sure everything is how it should be.
Either way, you spend a decent amount of time taking care of the exterior, which nobody wants to do. But there’s another way to approach this, and that’s with low-maintenance materials that will do the heavy lifting for you, and we’ll tell you how to go about it.
Whether it’s a big renovation project or just a few tweaks, this article has something for everyone.
3 Tips on How to Choose Low-Maintenance Siding
As far as the outside of your home goes, siding is one of the most important factors because its purpose is to both protect it and to make the exterior look better.
But siding can be tricky because some materials need a lot of upkeep, so let’s check out a few options that are low-maintenance.
1. Vinyl
This is a super popular option because it’s affordable, versatile, and it comes in a wide range of colors and styles, so that it matches any home design.
Vinyl is resistant to rot and damage from insects, so you won’t need to pay too much attention to it and it will withstand rain, snow, sunlight, etc. All you need to do is clean it once in a while, and it will stay as good as new.
2. Fiber Cement
You might have heard this being called Hardie siding, but fiber cement siding looks like wood but doesn’t need as much upkeep as wood does, so it’s a win-win.
This siding is resistant to fire and it can withstand extreme weather conditions. If this is the option you decide to go for, make sure to use a professional company in your area that knows what they’re doing.
They’re not too hard to find; just do a search according to the region you’re in. For example, if you live in Atlanta, then look for siding contractors in Atlanta. If you’re in Kansas City, search for ‘Hardie siding contractors in Kansas City’ on Google.
3. Metal
Metal siding is usually made from steel or aluminum, and both are very durable, resistant to rust and corrosion, and they can be used in all climates. All you need to do is to occasionally wash it down and it will keep its structure and color intact.
Smart Design Options
Maintenance goes beyond siding, unfortunately, so if you really want the upkeep to be at a minimum, you’ll need a few extra tweaks. Here’s what to do.
1. Landscaping
A lush garden looks amazing, but unless you really love tending to it, you’ll spend more time maintaining it than you will enjoying it. If you want to cut down on gardening, choose drought-resistant plants, rock gardens, and make your lawn smaller.
Succulents, ornamental grasses, and native perennials don’t need to be watered that often, and they don’t need a lot of care. You can also spend far less time mowing your lawn if you add rock gardens.
2. Exterior Paint and Finishes
Weather-resistant paints and protective finishes are the way to go because they’ll extend the life of your exterior materials and you won’t need to repaint a lot.
These finishes are made to withstand UV rays, rain, and changes in temperature, which means they’ll prevent fading and peeling. And if you choose a neutral color like taupe or gray, dirt won’t really show because these colors mask it better than lighter shades, which means – less cleaning.
3. Drainage Systems and Gutter Protection
Water damage is no joke, so proper drainage and gutter systems are a must. Do yourself a favor and install gutter guards to prevent debris from building up and make sure that the water can flow freely so you don’t need to clean the gutters all the time.
Along with gutter guards, smart drainage systems are a good addition because they redirect water away from the foundation and both your garden and your home stay protected.
Conclusion
Those 24 hours in one day are the same for each and every one of us. Time is limited. And naturally (especially if you’re swamped), you’ll want to use it as efficiently as possible.
Chores are part of almost everyone’s day (unless you’re a toddler, or are in prison), and if you already have to spend some of that time to complete them, then you might as well minimize it, as much as you can.
The best thing about this is that you don’t need a crazy amount of work or money to make your exterior low-maintenance; a tweak here, a pinch there, and you have a house that doesn’t ask for much.
Well… at least as far as the outside goes, but hey, that’s still something!
