Applying wall coverings is one of the final steps of building a custom house, which is a multi-step process that requires the owner to take things one at a time and in a particular order so that the result be a qualitative home. The build is practically divided into two major phases, namely the “raw” and the finish one, respectively. The first part of the work primarily implies outlining the “skeleton” of the house and installing the necessary utilities. The second one includes steps like applying wall coverings, roofing, attaching a deck, furnishing exterior lighting and other details that help you complete the “picture”.
The Beginning- “Outlining” the Structure
The construction project begins with the preparation of the site, which involves clearing and grading the land and then establishing the underground utility lines. Once this stage is covered, the build continues with laying the foundation, constructing retaining walls and preparing the structure for the future utility systems (drainage, sewer, water source, gas pipes and electricity). The process then advances to the framing work, which comprises the following phases:
- subfloor;
- load-bearing walls;
- interior walls;
- second story;
- roof framing.
After completing this part, you proceed to the installment of the rough systems which endow your house with water supply, sewers, vents, electricity, heating and insulation equipment. Then everything is “wrapped up” in an efficient package that is based on sheathing, flashing and insulating the frame of your house. With these being done, the raw phase of a custom house build comes to an end.
The Final Touch- Making the House into a Home by Applying Wall Coverings
The process now heads up for the finish, when the details are taken care of. This requires artistry, craftsmanship and preciseness, otherwise the result might look sloppy. The work starts with the application of wall coverings. Depending on personal taste, the homeowner may choose to cover the walls with: siding, stone or stucco.
A. Siding
Popular with older-style homes, siding has four major subtypes:
- Wood;
- Vinyl;
- Cement Board;
- Aluminum.
If your primary concern is aesthetics, wood would be the best option to go for. However, beauty comes with a price, because this siding material is the most expensive and pretentious one, requiring constant maintenance. You have to regularly paint it and bare in mind that rain, sun, insects and rot can easily damage it.
If durability prevails over aspect, vinyl and aluminum are recommended. Although they don’t look as good as wood does, they are the more durable types of siding. However, when compared to the other materials, vinyl comes with a minus in that it doesn’t provide the same protection against moisture.
Lately, contractors have displayed an obvious preference for cement boards, which have thus become a favorite when it comes to siding. Also referred to as hardi board or Hardie Board, after the name of its manufacturer- James Hardie, this siding material is cost effective, goes on easily and it is impervious to fire, birds, insects and rot. It features other advantageous characteristics as well, including its aspect similar to wood and the property to hold paint up to 15 years due to its thermal stability.
B. Stone
If you want a stone or brick exterior for your house, you leave the subcontractor to choose from:
- real brick or stone - a rather expensive proposition, this option provides beauty but requires the work of craftsmen called masons in order to be assembled correctly; problems can later occur if the mortar starts to fail;
- masonry veneer – designed to imitate the aspect of bricks, stone or even adobe, this material is far less expensive to buy and install than its real counterpart; careful matching of the patterns is required so that the result can look like real stone or brick.
C. Stucco
Last, but not least, stucco is another commonly used exterior finish. Being a thick, concrete-based substance, it closely resembles the mortar applied between bricks when erecting a wall. The only difference is that the former is applied to your home’s exterior.
In order to install this material, the sub has to first mount wire lath (also called chicken wire) to your house’s exterior walls. This procedure is necessary for the covering to have something to hold to and maintain its shape. Then, a first coat of stucco is applied with a thickness of ¾ inches. Once this layer dries, a brown coat is applied over so that any uneven surfaces could be smoothed out. A third layer of color in accordance with the homeowner’s preferences is applied to finish the work.
It is up to you to decide which of these options suits your project best. Think of the advantages and disadvantages offered by each of the wall coverings, and choose the optimal one for your custom house.