5 Common Building Materials for Residential Construction

Guest Post by Andrea Erickson

When it comes to building a home you want to have the best building materials possible. That’s why it is vital to understand the various building materials available and work with your contractor to choose. 

Learning the different options out there can help you decide what you want your whole home to look and feel like. From siding and roofing to flooring and decking, the options are truly many. Narrow down your search just a bit with a look at some of these different material suggestions. 

1. Siding Building Materials

Siding is a huge part of your home and the look you achieve. There are several types of materials to choose from. When it comes to the best house siding for your home, think about the look you want. Do you want a more traditional siding look? Are you wanting to have a wood exterior? What about the color? Do you want a more natural tone or more vibrant color options? 

Options to choose from include steel siding, wood siding, fiber cement, and traditional vinyl siding materials. When it comes to choosing the right outside of your home, consider the weather resistance you want, look and feel, and what type of maintenance you want to perform on a regular basis. 

2. Driveway Pavement

The driveway you have is another first impression of the property to yourself and your guests. What do you want to use the driveway for? Will you have children that play ball, ride skateboards, or bikes? What about drainage and runoff? It’s important to know that there are many options such as concrete, asphalt, or permeable pavers. 

If you’re in need of a good draining option, permeable pavers are a great way to go. They provide you with open areas to get the rain or precipitation away from the top and keep it from settling in areas it shouldn’t. These options offer major benefits such as helping with the runoff from rain, keeping flooding at bay, and helping you meet code regulations as well.

3. Flooring Building Materials

When it comes to the flooring of your home, this is as vast as your imagination. You’ll find options such as ceramic tile, vinyl, linoleum, and hardwood floors just to name a few. What look do you want? Are you after a rustic indoor look? Hardwood floors or laminate is a great option to go with. 

Are you wanting a more elegant style that comes with the various sizes of tile available? What about vinyl? Do you want something with an easy cleanup? 

You can truly add to any room when construction is taking place by choosing the right floor options for you. If you know you’ll have pets and high traffic, discuss with your contractor the best options to go with.

4. Decking Materials

Adding a deck to the home is a great way to spend time enjoying the great outdoors. There are several options that you can choose from including vinyl decking, pressure-treated wood, cedar deck, or composite materials. It will all depend on the maintenance and upkeep that you want to perform on a regular basis.

5. Roofing Building Materials

Roofing materials can vary as well depending on the style you’re going for. A traditional shingle roof can come in a variety of colors and add a layer of protection from the elements and fading. One popular option homeowners go with are slate roofs. These offer great fire and weather resistance, impact resistance, and more. You can choose the style that best fits your needs and decor choices as well.

These are just the beginning of the building material options you have when constructing a new residence.

Contact PRK Williams Building Group at (319) 538-2989 to learn how we can assist you in selecting the most appropriate home building materials for your custom designed home.

Andrea Erickson is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. She is a blogger and content writer. Andrea is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.