Durable Products for Your Most Valuable Asset

by Lauren Busser The House Designers’ Editorial Director

Building a new home is an important decision requiring a large investment of time and money. You want that new home to last and be in top form for years to come. So you want to build it with products that are durable and will last. Our architects and designers have decades of experience helping clients design and build new homes as well as building their own personal homes. We want to help you take a rational and informed approach so that you can have meaningful and productive dialog with your contractor about your project. Here are four major product components and our architect's recommendations on brands to use.

Windows

Windows are a critical component to your home’s design. Quality windows let in the light and also help you maintain your home’s energy efficiency. There are lots of window styles that you can choose from and the type of windows you select will have a significant effect on your home’s heating and cooling costs.

Our architects trust Integrity® from Marvin® Windows and Doors for their window needs. Their Ultrex finish is a strong, durable, stable, low-maintenance and efficient product that outperforms aluminum, vinyl, and vinyl/wood composites in virtually every category. Other windows may bend, break or crack over time, but Integrity® windows hold strong and perform under great stress without showing age or wear.

Flooring and Lumber

Different woods can be used for different purposes. With so many different species and configurations it can be easy to get confused. At its core, your decision for lumber and wood-based products comes down to two options: hardwood or softwood.

Hardwoods are deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall. There are about 200 varieties of hardwood trees that are plentiful and pliable enough for woodworking. Hardwoods have microscopic pores on the surface and the size of the pores determine grain and texture.

Softwoods come from coniferous trees, commonly known as evergreen trees. Only 25 percent of all softwoods are used in woodworking. Softwoods have small pores that are not very noticeable in the finished product. The most popular of these woods are cedar, fir, pine and spruce.

Doors

Your front door makes a strong statement about who you are and it is one of the first things a visitor sees. A beautiful, top-quality door goes a long way towards enhancing your home’s appearance and a strong door can last you for years to come. For well-constructed doors, our architects trust Therma-Tru®. Their selection of fiberglass and steel doors in a variety of configurations makes it easy to find a door that fits your home’s style.

Mouldings

Moulding is a great way to bring beauty and value to your home. Moulding can be used to bring classic elegance and decorative accents to your home. Fypon® is our architect’s favorite provider of mouldings and millwork. Their durable polyurethane products come in a variety of styles and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Not to mention, their closed cell makeup resists splintering, rot, insects, mildew and warping, making them a great maintenance-free way to enhance your home’s look and value.

These four building materials represent important aspects of your new home. Quality windows and doors can help make your home energy-efficient and the great looks can increase your home's value. Durable products that keep their appearance over time will help you keep your most valuable asset looking good for years to come.