Whether you’re looking for a new home to live in or you’re excited to start building an income property: some building materials will ensure a property lasts for as long as possible. Not only does this mean you’ll get to save money in the long run and help the environment, but it also means that your property will have a higher value since most buyers want a home that will last as long as possible.
These are some of the best durable building materials out there that you should look for when trying to create a property of your own.
1. Sturdy Steel Siding
The siding on a home’s exterior can make a difference in how long a building lasts, which is why steel siding should be the obvious choice for anyone who wants to protect their home while ensuring it looks good as long as they live there. Steel siding can last up to fifty years, allowing it to be incredibly tough and durable, living up against storms, dents, and anything else that other types of siding struggle with.
Thankfully you can get this in any color you want, and even paint it yourself, allowing your home to look like every other classic property in your area while lasting for far longer.
2. Long-Lasting Slate Roofing
The average roof lasts at least fifty years: but what if you could ensure that the roof of the home you’re looking at could last even longer? Slate roofing can last up to fifty years, ensuring that your home looks good and is safe for as long as you own it.
Consider which type of slate is in use at the property you’re looking at. Hard slate can last between seventy-five to two hundred years, while soft slate lasts far less, only making it between fifty to a hundred and twenty-five years.
There’s a clear advantage to using this type of roofing, adding value to a property and ensuring that besides maintenance, you don’t have to think about your roof.
3. Insulation That Will Stay Strong
Good insulation will keep the costs of heating and cooling down, will block out insect life and moisture, and allow the inside of the home to be quieter, even blocking out the noise from the world around it. Unfortunately, when you’re looking at homes, it’s hard to tell what type of insulation they currently have: you must ask, and when you have a home inspection, you have them checked.
Although it’s generally inexpensive to add more insulation, bad insulation can trap moisture against wood structures of the home and cause rot: so it’s vital to figure out which it has soon.
4. Brick Is Timeless for a Reason
Brick has been used for almost ten thousand years, and it’s not stopping any time soon. Bricks made before 7,500 BC are still strong and could still be used for building even after all of this time. Because of this, a home that’s made of brick will last longer, will be more resistant to weather and moisture, and will save you from having to worry about your home. Of course, if you like the look of siding, you can always apply whatever siding you like over it, but a brick home is one that will last longer and exceed expectations.
5. Foundation That’s Built to Last
Your home is only as good as its foundation! Because of this, it’s important to seek out properties with concrete foundation types that are built to last. Luckily, slab foundations can last a lifetime as long as they’re constructed with precision, they’re easily pourable, and they ensure that your home is safe from chemicals, moisture, and insect life that can plague poorly made foundations.
A good foundation will ensure that your home lasts as long as possible, stands straight, and that when it’s time to sell or pass it on to a loved one, you can be sure it’ll still be valuable.
6. Board and Batten Siding for Long-Living Gorgeous Appearance
Although this type of siding can be made even better when paired with a material like steel siding, this type of siding is long-lasting and extremely storm-resistant. Your material still matters, so when using board and batten siding, be aware of what it’s made of. In general, if you want your home to be long-lasting, you should avoid wood on any part of your home’s exterior unless it’s an extremely well-sealed porch or deck. Wood siding doesn’t even last twenty years and can cause many complications like rot and moisture being allowed into the home.
It’s Important to Find a Property You’ll be Proud of
Every property is different, but it’s important to find one that speaks to you and has a lot that excites you. Look for a property you’ll be proud of that will last as long as possible, and you’ll be set!
Brian Jeffries is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.