Homeownership used to be bliss. Now you spend every weekend going from chore to chore in order to keep your house in good condition. If you’re tired of spending so much time, effort, and money on maintaining your home, there are decisions you can make in your next renovation that will significantly improve your situation. Believe it or not, there are numerous options in the market that can give you a stylish interior and exterior that requires little to no maintenance to keep it in top condition.
To set you on the right track, here are some of the best switches you can make that will pay dividends in your lifestyle and finances:
Fiber Cement
If your home’s siding is made of wood, then you’re familiar with the many challenges this brings. Apart from being prone to fire, rot, and termite infestation, it is also at risk of negatively impacting your curb appeal when the local climate starts to take its toll. You’ll notice that the paint doesn’t hold anymore, and you have to either live with it or pay for painting and decorating services.
You’ll have no such problems with fiber cement. It’s a great alternative that is resistant to insects, fires, and rots. Its durability makes it compatible with most climates, and its ability to adapt to the freeze/thaw cycle can increase the lifespan of your exterior paint. Should you want to mimic the color and graining of wood, there are paints and finishes available that will let you accomplish a similar appeal. You can anticipate repaints to be done every 15 or so years, and that the material will remain reliable for over 50 years.
Shiplap
It’s likely that your current interior is either painted or wallpapered. While these two traditional options do boast of a certain appeal, they are highly susceptible to damages. In just a handful of years, they can be filled with indentations, scratches, and other unsightly problems. This is where high-quality shiplap wall panels prove to be superior.
Shiplap is impact-resistant, meaning you won’t have to worry about the aforementioned damages for a long time. Moreover, they act as a shield to your walls. When the time comes to remove them, you’ll find that your walls will still be in good shape.
Another advantage it brings is its versatility in design and ease of installation. Since you have dozens of options to choose from, you can achieve your desired aesthetic at a lower cost and at minimal effort.
Metal
The costs you’ll incur maintaining, repairing, and eventually replacing your roof can be substantial. If you want to avoid this financial burden, then it’s high time you switch to metal roofing.
A metal roof is ideal for many reasons, one of which is its fire-resistant quality. This is especially beneficial if you live in an area where the fire is common. Switching to it may even grant you a considerable discount on your insurance. Furthermore, high-quality metal roofing will not need replacing for a long time, if at all. Enhanced with the right finish that makes it rust-resistant, you can significantly cut down the cost of your overall home renovation and maintenance costs forever.
Laminate
There’s no denying that cleaning your floor eats up most of your time and attention. Depending on the material you have now, you could be struggling daily with dirt and stains to no avail. The solution is to switch to laminate flooring.
Laminate addresses your most immediate flooring concerns. It is resistant to stains, moisture, and scratches. Unlike some materials, it won’t warp or react badly to any change in temperature inside your home. This is one reason you can expect it to last longer and to require minimal maintenance throughout its lifetime.
Quartz
For your kitchen and bathroom countertops, it’s best to go with quartz. You’ll find it easier to clean and maintain in good condition due to its stain resistance and non-porous surface. It is also incredibly durable, which guarantees that it can support all kinds of kitchen and bathroom demands without showing signs of wear and tear for a long time. Best of all, you can have it customized to suit your desired motif.
It’s true that homeownership will cost you money, but the exact sum depends entirely on you. Making these switches will drastically cut down your expenses and make your maintenance life cycle more cost-efficient in the long run. Finally, you’ll also save time and enjoy managing your household without the additional chores.
