Northstone in the News - 8/11/2006

Houston Business Journal - "Exterior finishes help give homes a good first impression"

by Sheree Nixon

The exterior is the first impression people get of a home. Many finishes dictate the kind of home it is, such as French country or Mediterranean. Others show the style of the owner and can also reveal how much the owners were willing to spend.

While stone, stucco and siding are common exterior finishes that can provide a versatile look, the traditional brick home seems to remain the most favored exterior finish in the Houston area because of its timeless look and durability.

"Our research continues to signal that a majority of Houston consumers continue to favor brick homes versus other materials because they perceive a brick home to be a solid-built, low-maintenance home," says Roy Russell, vice president of strategic planning for Centex Homes in Houston.

Brick
A new trend in custom-home building is to use antique brick torn off old buildings to create a classic but personalized look. Although antique brick is more expensive -- ranging in price from $600 per thousand bricks to $1,500 per thousand bricks -- it allows home builders create a tailored finish.

"I use antique brick that is torn off old Chicago structures to craft a traditional brick home. To me brick is timeless. It will never go out of style like so many other materials will," says Jeff Stone, founder of Northstone Builders which builds primarily in the Memorial Villages area. Northstone's custom homes range in size from 5,000 square feet to 8,000 square feet and range in price from $750,000 to $3 million.

In addition to being the most traditional material, Stone adds, brick is the longest-lasting material as well.

"Brick is the easiest exterior finish to maintain. Water and rain will build up on the surface, but a quick pressure wash can usually fix the problem," he says.

Stone
Stone combined with brick or stucco has become very trendy in the last five years with consumers looking for their homes to reflect the Hill Country.

Cultured stone as well as natural stone is used on exteriors of a home. Consumers can get natural stone in four-inch blocks or veneer the stone and apply it like a cultured stone. Thick natural stone requires a brick ledge for a stronger foundation for application, which costs more. Veneer and cultured stone is thin and can be applied on stucco, which is more economical. Stone starts at about $6 a square foot and goes up to $20 a square foot for larger natural stones.

Maintenance for stone is much like brick with pressure washing needed every few years to remove scum and build up.

Stucco
While brick continues to be the most favored material, there is also a large interest in stucco because of the visual variety it offers. With different finishes, stucco is popular to achieve a Tuscan, Mediterranean and country look.

Traditional stucco is a cement mixture used for siding. The cement is combined with water and inert materials like sand and lime. The materials which compose stucco can expand and contract with various climate changes, which is a benefit in the Houston area.

To maintain a crisp and clean exterior finish, stucco should be pressure washed every couple of years and repainted about every five years. Stucco sells for about $5 to $6 a square foot.

Siding
The most economical exterior finish used in Houston is siding. Often combined with brick or stucco, this material can reduce the cost of a home.

"Since Hardiplank entered the Houston market, no one in the area uses anything else for siding. Hardiplank does not rot and mold like wood and vinyl. It is definitely the most durable siding," says Stone.

Hardiplank, invented by James Hardie, is a fiber-cement siding that can resist rotting and cracking and withstand damage from rain and hail.

Stone and brick are oftentimes combined with Hardiplank siding, to reduce the total cost of a home. "Consumers are willing to accept this lower-cost material to improve the affordability of their home," says Russell.

Maintenance of Hardiplank is more demanding than the other materials, though, with complete repainting suggested every few years. Hardiplank siding is priced per square foot.

"Ranked from high to low, the relative cost of installed exterior elevation material is stone, brick, stucco and then Hardiplank," says Doyle Dudley, vice president of construction services for Centex Homes Houston.