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The Finishing Touches – Vinyl Siding or Brick?

Togo

Deciding between vinyl siding and brick isn’t really just based on cost. What you need to do is look at the costs, durability and the numerous design options that you are truly looking for, consider these options and the length of time you will be staying in your home, the real estate market and then decide from there. Why is this so important? It is because too many homeowners either over spend when building a home that they don’t plan on living in for more than 5-10 years and others underspend by choosing vinyl on a home that they will only spend 5 years living in and expecting a larger return on the resell.

So what are you to do? What should be your focus? Your focus should be on the length of time you are planning to stay in your home and what dollar value the real estate market will hold for your home. Keeping these two items in mind you’ll be able to take a look at your budget, seeing what you can spend and how best to invest your hard earned money.

THE DIFFERENCE

Vinyl siding is plastic exterior siding for houses and small apartment buildings, used for decoration and weatherproofing, imitating wood clapboard, board and batten or shakes. It is an engineered product, manufactured primarily from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin.

Brick is simply a small rectangular block typically made of fired or sun-dried clay, used in building. Brick combines perfectly with passive building design to harness natural sources of energy, creating an energy efficient warmth in winter and cool in summer. Brick home exteriors are more expensive than siding, yet since bricks are porous, problems with drainage and mold may arise if the home is not maintained. With an adequate drainage system, a brick exterior offers more overall advantages than other home exterior options.

STANDING THE TEST OF TIME

When you are looking for longevity you will want to Brick is your best solution. As mentioned the resell value of your home will be putting more in your pocket while not having and maintenance issues. Vinyl siding unfortunately can also adversely affect the long-term value. Continue reading to learn about the differences of brick vs. vinyl siding and to find out why brick adds timeless beauty and value to any space.

Along with longevity you should also focus on durability, Vinyl siding typically has a warranty of 25-50 years after installed. When compared to brick, vinyl siding is more susceptible to impact damage from hail, tree limbs and other objects creating scratches, dents and more. Brick on the other hand is extremely durable. In fact, brick masonry can last 100 years when installed properly. Brick is made from natural materials, which results in better health, comfort and well-being for homeowners.

CARE

There are a few things you have to keep in mind when deciding upon your exterior look of your home. If leaning to vinyl siding you’ll need to set time aside each year because you will need to wash your vinyl siding annually. You will also need to replace any sections that get damaged, noting that not all siding colors match year after year. You could still choose a higher quality siding but you will still have some weathering issues, whereas brick is maintenance-free.

One of the other culprits that shoot down siding besides the maintenance, bending, cracking, breaking and becoming very brittle in severely cold conditions would be heat! Yes, heat is the greatest enemy of vinyl siding. In fact, studies show that vinyl cladding may ignite as a result of a fire inside an adjacent dwelling only six feet away.

Brick is fire-resistant, impact-resistant from wind-borne debris, and provides excellent resistance to sound transmission, all on a scale superior to that of vinyl siding.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY & SUSTAINABILITY

Brick has a natural ability to absorb, retain and release heat when temperatures rise and fall, resulting in less energy required to heat and cool homes.

Thermal mass is the ability of a material to store heat and then slowly release it. For homeowners, this means that during the summer months, a brick home stays cool during the hottest part of the day. During the winter, brick walls store heat and radiate it back. Vinyl, aluminum and wood are all thin, light building materials that do not have good thermal mass properties.

Sustainability is a key feature of genuine clay brick which is a green building material made. This products are commonly used in new construction for an authentic look and feel.

Unfortunately, vinyl siding is not an environmentally friendly option. The primary component of most vinyl siding is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a derivative of petroleum and salt. Environmental concerns about the use of products made with PVC primarily focus on two materials: chlorine, used as a raw material in PVC production, and dioxin, a toxic by-product of manufacturing processes involving chlorine.

THE BOTTOMLINE

When comparing brick to vinyl siding, brick is ultimate winner! If you are seeking curb appeal, durability, low maintenance and high value brick should be your choice. If you are simply wanting to save upfront costs, don’t mind regular maintenance and repairs and you aren’t looking for extra added value on the resell consider vinyl siding.

A printed floor plan

The Best Way to Find the Right Home Builder and House Plan for Your New Home Build

Togo

We’ve been asked on several occasions what’s the best way to find the right house plan for our needs? What an excellent question! From our experience and expertise over the last 30+ years we’ve got some key points to help you narrow down what you actually need to focus on for picking a successful house plan and creating that perfect new home build.  

A room with brick walls

To Buy and Renovate an Existing Home or To Build….What’s Your Vision

Togo

To renovate or to build is a burning question for most people looking to make the right investment move for their future. This question really comes down to where you currently are in life and where you want to be.  Some people are seeing their money going out the door by renting and this is exactly what will happen, but if you do some soul-searching about what your true life goals are map out your vision you will easily come to a definitive answer as to which way you should go.

We all know a home is the single largest investment that a person makes.  Location, price, market trends, property specifics and the condition of the property are all factors to consider when deciding to dump more money into the home you own or when buying one on the market to renovate. In this case you will not only have to be practical and realistic as to your end-goal keeping in mind to think like an end-buyer and plan to upgrade to a market-friendly, breathtaking finished product that will last for years to come. Weighing all the costs and all of the soon to be future replacements that you may incur while you are still in the home like possibly a new roof, water tank or upgrade to air conditioning on the furnace…etc. compare these costs to a new build that will have essentially no headaches for years to come.

Yes, this seems a little overwhelming but let us help you break this down a little further so you can make an educated decision:

Custom Homes by Togo

Here at Togo Custom Homes you will only get top-notch, exceptional quality craftsmanship!  Our homes are tailor made to suit your needs, lifestyle and the area in which you find your lot.  One of the most important things in Custom Home Building is planning.  Without proper planning execution will not go well. You will be frustrated and you will waste a lot of money.  So do your due diligence when you are looking for a Home Builder. If we happen to service your area don't hesitate to give us a call and learn more about our services. You will be extremely pleased with our process and the finished product, guaranteed!

Are you a homeowner who is searching for ways to make your home a bit more eco-friendly? Equipping your home with “green” improvements can save a substantial amount of energy and money, especially over the long term. In today’s post we’ll explore a few projects that handy do-it-yourselfers can undertake in order to make a home a bit friendlier to the local environment.
#1: Focus on the Windows

Depending upon the time of year, windows have an impact on both heating and cooling costs. In the summer, older windows can drastically heat up a home causing cooling costs to skyrocket. In the winter, older windows can leak cold air within the home and let out the heat, which causes the heating costs to rise as well.

A simple replacement of older windows can save a homeowner as much as 30 percent on annual energy costs, as newer windows are more efficient at insulating the home against the weather conditions outside. Combining a window upgrade with other energy-related changes can lead to even greater savings. For example, consider installing a ceiling fan in rooms that are generally occupied – such as the living room or family room – as these can circulate cool and warm air and help to reduce energy use.

During the colder months, use as much solar heating as possible. Open up curtains, and trim trees to allow for natural light to enter the home. The sun heats up the home through radiant heating, which is an effective and essentially free source of energy.

#2: Improve Your Insulation

A home that is properly insulated will help to preserve its heat and cool air. Heat can leak out from the home through cracks, but it can also occur through convection heating. The air within the home will eventually cool down from a steady decline of heat when the heat is transferred outside through the walls.

Beyond hot and cool air leaking out from the home, each room within the home can indirectly influence the temperature in adjoining rooms. This is especially true for the garage and any room that shares common walls. By using insulation in the garage, the home may cool down by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

#3: Install Smart Thermostats

Some green options simply mean a change in which type of appliances are used. In terms of a thermostat, a “smart” one like the Nest Thermostat can be installed. Use of one can cut energy costs by 20 percent, at minimum, by simply adjusting to the homeowners’ schedule.

We hope these little tips help you as you consider making your home a little more eco-friendly.  Check back with us here at Togo Custom Homes for ongoing energy-efficient tips, DIY projects and be sure to take a look at our new home build projects.  When you are ready to build or even renovate let us help create for you an eco-friendly home that reduces your carbon footprint, helps sustain our natural resources, and saves money on your energy bills…..a complete Win-Win for us all! Live life naturally!