Cabin Exterior - low maintenance but looks like wood?
Hi,
We are in the planning process of building a lakefront cabin. I've attached pictures below (combo between rustic contemporary/beach. I could really use some ideas on the following:
1. materials/colours for the exterior that would be maintenance free and would standup at a lakefront property. I love the look of wood but I don't want to have to paint it; I want to just enjoy the lake. I don't know if there's a good hardy board or something else that would look good. Ideas??
2. I am also trying to incorporate abit more stone or something to the road side. I tried putting stone around the one room; I'm not sure if that works or not.
3. Beams: Should the beams be spaced equally across each section of house or follow the window lines?
Thanks so much and I appreciate any feedback!
Lake side:
Comments (27)
PROMark Bischak, Architect
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Low maintenance garden
Comments (6)>Anyway, I was wondering if we look for low maintenance gardens that have the same perfected nature and if a real low maintenence garden is one that can take a bit of neglect and doesn't look like a dogs dinner as soon as the grass is an inch and a half long? It depends on where you live as to what would work. I'm going to say what I have in semi-rural New Mexico mountains, but I am NOT at ALL saying this would work on a typical suburban lot! I have a heavily wooded half acre, covered with poderosa pine. POs put in some non-native trees, some of which have done great (the weeping willow) and some of which have curled up and died (the Japanese maple, poor little ting, which got toasted when an apricot tree died). They also put in a lot of paths and planting areas winding through the woods in the back yard and a sheltered sort of area in the front yard. Since the theme of the property is still very much a forest, it's easy to say, "if it blooms, it's a flower, and I'm keeping it." *G* Native geraniums, wild passionflower vine, cultivated geraniums, wild sunfowers, and daylilies all live happily together, and shasta daisies and catmint are escaping the beds in places and are allowed to take over the edge of the (unpaved) driveway. Well-ordered beds get progressively wilder, meling seemlessly into the forest as you go back from the edge. It is VERY, VERY difficult to grow most plants here, so this style of gardening is a great way to keep from entirely losing your mind. Mulching is usually pine needles that fall from the trees above--only in a few places is additional mulch needed, and then it's native stuff that I get from the garbage transfer station's piles of chipped yard waste....See MoreTo wood, or not to wood ceilings? Will it look low?
Comments (22)rebeccamomof123 my "worry" is actually doing too much LOL (not really a worry, you can never do too much wood, in my opinion, but other people don't agree) my door and floor trim are wood and my floors are wood and so are my window sills. I didn't do wood window frames because I was scared I was doing too much but it's supposed to be woodsy and lodgey feeling so now I'm thinking I didn't do enough, now that I've actually lived in for 4 weeks. I find myself wanting more wood. Just wasn't sure if that would like a good add in or like a, holy crap that's a lot, kinda thing hahaha but I think I am going to go for it. I want to wood the vaulted ceiling in my living room and the vaulted ceiling my kitchen but there's a flat ceiling in the dining and the foyer (the way the roof had to be for there to be 2 separate vaults) so you think those will be ok wooded and not the flat part? ( i wasn't going to do uppers on the other side of the kitchen until I lived in it and decided it needed them, so it looks funny here without appliances LOL)...See MoreNew house/cabin build in the woods- help us make it look old!
Comments (22)You can always look for a real log cabin that can be moved- $$$, but super authentic! I live in an 1840’s log cabin- authenticity is about building processes as much as materials. The craftsmen skilled in the old ways are few and far between these days, but they can be found especially if you live in an area with older homes. Our home has a dry stack stone foundation and two dry stack beehive chimneys, exposed log with lime mortar inside and board and batton siding, medium to wide plank hardwood flooring (we were able to save much of the original floor, so it’s not tongue and groove), and our main floor ceiling has the second floor joists exposed. We just replaced a ~50 year old standing seam metal roof, black, with another but discovered that the first roof has been added directly on top of cedar shake. Its worth it to us, but for what it’s worth, it’s not an easy home to maintain. The lime mortar is hella dusty and has to be cared for and repointed, our board and batton is painted and must be redone every 10 years or so. The floors are nearly impossible to deep clean (steamer is my method of attack) because they are uneven and have gaps. So historical accuracy may not be the best choice for a vacation cabin ;)...See MoreLow maintenance exteriors - stone, brick, anything else?
Comments (27)"Traditional" residential architecture, which is truly architecture and not a McMansion or builder's tract development, is often regional. In other words, what may be "traditonal" in one area is not necessarily "traditonal" in another area. Another architectural term for this is "regional" or "regional vernacular", where commonly built homes vary by region and the architectural vernacular which is used. Regional vernacular may be characterized in a variety of ways. For example, materials. In much of Texas, for example, the native limestone is (or was before McMansions and tract developments) a common building material. Another example is form. The form of regional Texas houses tends to be 1-2 story, often rather rambling, houses and frequent use of overhanging and shaded porches on front and rear. Two story porches may also be common on historic houses. This "Texas vernacular" is far, far different than, say, the common vernacular in the New England region, where climate and weather encourage much more compact, multi-story houses, often without the outdoor living and shading devices so common in Texas. Climate and commonly available local building materials were often the two key influences which caused regional vernacular to vary region from region. The invention of airconditioning and the availability of common building materials across the country have largely doomed regional vernacular, especially as builders build large tracts of housing virtually identical in various parts of the country. A truly custom designed home, however, can easily be designed and built in a variety of regional vernaculars by talented and experienced architects and designers who have studied vernacular architecture sufficiently to be fluent in their design. And I will agree with an earlier comment that a Tudor style house on Texas ranch land is something of a misnomer, since "...the Tudor style movement is technically a revival of "English domestic architecture, specifically Medieval and post-Medieval styles from 1600-1700," says Peter Pennoyer, FAIA, of Peter Pennoyer Architects. Because these homes mimicked a style designed to weather colder climates with lots of rain and snow, they were best suited for the northern half of the United States, though they're popular in other areas of the country as well. These houses, with their myriad materials, solid masonry, elaborate forms, and decorations were expensive to build and mostly appeared in wealthy suburbs," Peter says. They were even nicknamed "Stockbroker's Tudors" in reference to owners who gained their wealth during the booming 1920s..." But if one likes the style, isn't concerned about the incongruity of one on a Texas ranch, and has the money to design and build properly..."go ahead on", as we say here....See More- PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agolts123 thanked Mark Bischak, Architect 
PROPatricia Colwell Consulting
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
This technique takes Japanese Cedar or cypress wood and subjects it to a flame treatment. This originally was intended to help prevent against weather, fire and harsh environmental elements. Over the years, the pragmatic technique turned into an aesthetic that continues to rise in popularity.
I love this look and ease of care I think your house would look awesome in this finish. Then you could if you wanted add some stone, I would not on this house.
lts123 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
PROAdvantageLumber.com
6 years agoIf you're looking for wood that retains its original rich color without any maintenance, there's no such thing. The closest you'll get are wood imitations, which don't really look like wood, especially up close.
Now if you don't mind your exterior turning gray, then I recommend exotic hardwoods like cumaru and ipe. They're some of the strongest woods in the world and really don't require any upkeep as long as you're content with the color fading.
lts123 thanked AdvantageLumber.com
PROVirgil Carter Fine Art
6 years agoNatural weathered cedar shingles is always a good option for a wood look with minimal maintenance. One can also apply a "weathering bleach" or stain to hasten the weathering effect from the outset.
Here's a good example of flame treated wood siding. I don't recommend it...
Rawketgrl
6 years agoIts123 this is about as maintenance free wood as you can find and it is completely awesome and would suit your style of home perfectly.
I have always loved the Shou sugi ban siding:https://pursuingwabi.com/2007/11/05/shou-sugi-ban/
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Patricia Colwell Consulting Do you work with the company? https://www.eandstile.com/japanese-burnt-wood-by-es-tile/
Stunning materials, the ember series by E &S co. is actually "interior wall tiles made from 'reclaimed barnwood with a VOC organic vegetable dye". Thanks for the information on this company!
lts123 thanked Rawketgrl
millworkman
6 years ago
PROlts123 thanked BeverlyFLADeziner- PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago - PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago lts123
6 years agolts123
6 years ago
cpartist
6 years agocpartist
6 years ago
gtcircus
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Yes, I have Hardi Board and it comes in all kinds of shapes, sizes. I understand the aesthetic of having beautiful wood, but not on siding. I have an IPE deck on the North side of the house which has held up. I got rid of the deck on the south side and went with a stamped concrete patio. Also look into getting a mosquito service to spray so you can actually enjoy sitting outside. It has helped a lot. You can also check your homeowner’s to see what hold up in your area as it will help on your rates. Getting rid of the wood siding saved me 20% on my homeowners insurance along with a new 50 year roof. That more than paid for the cement board siding!
Emily Jowers
6 years agolyfia
6 years ago
PROSolusLumber.com
6 years agoWe concur with AdvantageLumber. Ipe or Cumaru Siding would be great. Here's Ipe unoiled on the left and allowed to turn silver on the right. Oiled it would look like the following picture of a job we supplied in Palm Springs. In Canada you'd probably only have tow oil it once every two years or so and is a very simple process. We Ship all over the world so Saskatchewan is not a big deal. Out of all the various siding materials mentioned, Ipe should last the longest, but obviously we're biased.....
Ipe Tongue & Groove Siding Palm Springs, CA · More Info
PROSummit Studio Architects
6 years agolts123
6 years agodemt
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
Emily Jowers