Brick. Tile. Metal. Stone.
What do all these materials have in common?
When installed properly they all look amazing. They are all durable, require little maintenance, and come in a variety or shapes, sizes, and colors. But they are also expensive for one reason or another.
Some of the most expensive components of the house are the finishes, both interior and exterior. They are what everyone sees, so you want them to look nice. They also see the most wear and tear, so you want them to be durable and last.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with nice finishes. You can have nice finishes and build a cost-effective home. But it’s important to understand the cost implications of choosing certain materials over others. Knowing not only how to compare costs of materials but also how the details of those materials relate to their cost will go a long way in creating an affordable home.
In previous posts, we’ve discussed good site planning principles, efficient floor plans, and creating simple house designs.
In this post, we move on to cost-effective materials and simple detailing. We discuss how to make smart material selections and use these materials wisely in your cost-effective home.
Let’s take a look.
Cost-Effective Materials + Products
When you’re selecting materials for your new home, the first consideration is usually cost. It’s important to remember that there is more to cost than just the upfront cost (material + labor). There is also the long-term maintenance cost and replacement cost.
Like most things we buy, the cheaper something is, the shorter its lifespan. There are exceptions to this, but for the most part, you can expect to replace or repair something sooner if it costs less.
Another consideration is the cost of energy. Cheaper windows may not be as energy efficient as more expensive windows. If you can save money month after month by having better performing windows, you might actually end up paying less for the expensive windows if you include the entire life-cycle cost in your consideration.
The cheapest material at the store is not always the most cost-effective material for your home. Compare installation, maintenance and replacement costs as well as typical lifespans and energy usage for each material to decide which material is best.
Durable Exterior Materials
When selecting exterior finishes remember that the finishes must be able to withstand the elements. Your geographic location will also play a role in which material is best. Marine environments, extreme temperature changes or sun exposure, or areas with high precipitation are examples of environmental conditions that help dictate which material is best for your location.So be sure to consider their durability and maintenance.
You don’t want to have to turn around and clean, refinish, or replace you cladding all the time. That can become expensive. Find materials that weather well and have a good durable finish.
There are other things to consider in addition to your geographic area. You may think that brick or stone masonry, for example, look greats. When installed properly there is very little ongoing maintenance costs. Another win for you. However, it’s also one of the most expensive materials to have installed. It has high labor costs, it’s slower to install, and the material is heavy so delivery costs are higher.
But let’s not forget that aesthetics are extremely important, too.
Only you can put a value on the way something looks. You just have to decide what is best for you, your tastes, your location, and your budget.
Simple Interior Finishes
Selecting interior finish materials for your home that are easy to install and require little maintenance are going to be the most economical for you.
Walls & Ceiling Finishes
For walls and ceilings, gypsum board (also called drywall or sheetrock) is the most popular. Although not super easy to install, it is probably the most economical interior finish, second to plywood (which is a great material but does have issues in wet & damp areas). Gypsum board can be finished in 5 finish levels so remember to select the finish that works best for the use of each room and your budget.
Floor Finishes
For floors, wood flooring is becoming more and more economical. There are different types of wood flooring: laminate, engineered wood, and hardwood, each with different costs. But in general, wood has become a good alternative and middle choice to the less attractive and cheaper vinyl floor and the more expensive tile floor.
When selecting materials for your project, it’s OK to select nicer finishes. Just decide which areas should receive nicer finishes and let the other areas have more modest ones.
Also, consider the amount of material you’re using. Do all your bathroom walls need to be tile, floor to ceiling, or can you reduce the amount of tile and still create a nice space?
Uncomplicated Details
Complicated details and finish work add time and money to the construction budget. As we mentioned above, cutting back on expensive materials where they don’t compromise your design are a good place to start.
Also, consider simplifying a design that seems overly intricate or complicated.
A bathroom tile layout that uses five different types and colors of tile, cut in various sizes may be very appealing. But after considering the labor and material cost not to mention the hassle of keeping the sizes, colors, and patterns straight can make the tile layout and management more costly and time-consuming.
Remember tile can be expensive. If there is a way to use few types of tile and cover less wall area, consider simplifying these details. This is true in the kitchens also.
Wood paneling, textured plaster finish, and cove or tray ceilings are all more labor intensive and expensive to build than your typical drywall. We’re not saying to eliminate these elements from your design, just be mindful of their cost implications and consider a simple, modern approach if you’re concerned about the budget.
Consider the “less is more” approach. Less adornment is cheaper.
Trim, molding, and ornate stair rails can add up quickly, especially ones with intricate detailing. You don’t have to eliminate them, but just be mindful of their price tag and consider cutting back if cost is an issue. Instead of decorative crown molding and tall baseboard trim, consider eliminating the crown moulding and having a simple flat stock base trim.
Creating a cost-effective home doesn’t have to be impossible. You just need to create a realistic budget and stick to it. The easiest place to blow your budget is in the finishes.
You don’t have to skimp on nice materials, just be mindful of how much and where you’re using them and save the nice finishes for where it really counts.
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