How to Select Materials and Finishes for a Custom Home

Select Materials and Finishes for a Custom Home

Building a custom home offers the opportunity to make a wide range of decisions throughout the process. From architectural style, floor plan, and must-haves to the hundreds of finish selections like flooring, countertops, paint, etc., the design process can be incredibly exciting and rewarding. However, making all of those choices can also be intimidating and overwhelming. The more prepared you and your builder are, the better the decision-making process will be. The following tips will help keep you on track during the design and material selections phase of your build a custom home.

Developing a clear project goal helps to define what is most important to you and your family, and can help guide you during the entire process. Setting these goals early can help you stay on track, and reduce the risk of costly mistakes that may arise during the course of your project.

It is also a great idea to keep a record of the materials you have already researched, options that you’ve explored, and finishes that you have decided on for your home. This will not only save time, but it will allow you to maintain a detailed timeline of what has been completed and what needs to be finished. It will also help you avoid confusion and ensure that you are completing all of the steps in the right order, so that your selections don’t go over budget.

How to Select Materials and Finishes for a Custom Home

From stone, brick, and siding to circle sawn timbers and lumber for flooring, your choice of exterior materials will play a major role in the aesthetics and functionality of your custom home. You will want to select materials that highlight the architectural design of your home, while keeping in line with your stylistic preferences. For example, using natural woods and stone will help create a more modern style, while selecting traditional woods like circle sawn timbers will enhance the timeless, classic style that Timber-frame styles are known for.

Remember to also consider durability, sustainability, and cost when making your exterior material choices. For example, choosing a durable wood like cedar will increase the longevity of your exterior and require less maintenance than a composite wood. Similarly, selecting a low-maintenance metal such as galvanized steel will help reduce the amount of time you spend maintaining your exterior and protect your investment.

In the end, it is all about deciding what is best for you and your family and creating a home that suits both your lifestyle and your budget. By planning ahead and working with a qualified builder and designer, you can ensure that your custom home will be everything you dreamed of.

A large portion of the building process is devoted to product and material selections. In order to avoid delays, it’s critical for homebuyers to follow product and material lead times so they can make timely decisions. Homeowners should also prepare for the possibility of change orders, which can significantly extend the construction time.

The overall duration of the building process can also be influenced by local market conditions. A busy or fast housing market typically results in longer durations while a slow or stagnant market shortens the length of the process.