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
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Low-maintenance siding ideas after third garage bay added
Comments (14)Thank you, everyone, for helping me to see this house in a new light. I'm still struggling with the final look, so please be patient. BeverlyFLADeziner, I agree about the garage with attached house look. I also mean no disrespect with regards to the siding. Maybe it's the difference between the North and the South. Anyway, Hardie Board requires painting. Can you make other recommendations that require less maintenance? We're retired DIYers with the emphasis on retired these days. Interesting idea, ninigret. I'm still not sure how to keep the bay from looking tacked on, even "without" a door. Most garages are on one side of the house or the other....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 MoreLow Maintenance Deck Post & Rail: Looks Like Wood -reasonably priced?
Comments (1)I'm wondering what you ended up going with, as we are looking at railing for a deck also....See MoreI need to replace a wooden fence with a low maintenance material!
Comments (11)There are numerous galvanized metal design elements on my house so I thought the gray cement looked good with it. I finally saw some Trex I liked recently, not so plastic-y... but I've never thought of it for a fence, hmmm. The angled cement board looks a little busy. I had it photoshopped and the computer froze up! I had to take a picture of the screen. The red gate door was a nod to the raw rusted metal finish doors around the rest of the property. I'm changing the red color now....See More- PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agolts123 thanked Mark Bischak, Architect 
PROPatricia Colwell Consulting
5 years agolast modified: 5 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
5 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
5 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
5 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
5 years ago
PROlts123 thanked BeverlyFLADeziner- PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago - PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago lts123
5 years agolts123
5 years ago
cpartist
5 years agocpartist
5 years ago
gtcircus
5 years agolast modified: 5 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
5 years agolyfia
5 years ago
PROSolusLumber.com
5 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
5 years agolts123
5 years agodemt
last yearlast modified: last year
Emily Jowers