8 Natural Home Materials That Can't Be Beat
See how designing with natural stone, clay, wood and more can give a house luminosity, depth of color and lasting appeal
Listen, I know we architects can be difficult. More often than not, we don't listen and we don't respect the owner's budget. Or at least these are the things we're accused of. But in defense of the architect, there are just too many wonderful possibilities and opportunities. It's just that we see each how each project has a really interesting story to tell, and we want to use the full range of our vocabulary when telling that story.
A big portion of the vocabulary is the materials we select. My preference, as with so many architects and other designers, is to use natural materials. While human-made materials are fine, and in many cases the optimal way to go, natural materials have a luminosity and depth of color that can't be beat. And the uniqueness of each piece of quarried stone, batch of hand-mixed stucco and sawn wood board contributes to the story about you and only you.
Some favorite natural materials that just don't have an artificial equal are below. Which do you prefer to their artificial counterparts?
A big portion of the vocabulary is the materials we select. My preference, as with so many architects and other designers, is to use natural materials. While human-made materials are fine, and in many cases the optimal way to go, natural materials have a luminosity and depth of color that can't be beat. And the uniqueness of each piece of quarried stone, batch of hand-mixed stucco and sawn wood board contributes to the story about you and only you.
Some favorite natural materials that just don't have an artificial equal are below. Which do you prefer to their artificial counterparts?
Natural stucco. Though it costs a little more and requires a little more maintenance, there are many reasons to use natural stucco over synthetic stucco — the best of which is that natural stucco will take on a patina as it ages that a synthetic stucco just won't. So rather than all uniform and monolithic, I'll choose uneven and full of character.
Quarried stone. None of the laminates or the quartz materials can have the variety and character of quarried stone. So for a counter my preference is granite, marble, limestone or soapstone. The veining and color is unique for every piece, and the visual depth is unsurpassed.
Clay tile. Like the stucco walls that support them, clay tile roofs are created by mixing natural materials and forming the mix into a special shape. As each tile weathers and ages differently, the whole roof takes on the feeling that it has been there forever and will continue to be there for some time.
Wood siding. Many will tell you to stay away from wood siding. They'll say that you'll spend your weekends refinishing the exterior of your home rather than enjoying life.
Not true. A well-installed and well-finished wood siding will last a lifetime or more with no more maintenance needs than any other material. For example, on this house the beautiful cedar shingles protected by the broad roof overhang will age beautifully and gracefully and be there for many years to come.
Not true. A well-installed and well-finished wood siding will last a lifetime or more with no more maintenance needs than any other material. For example, on this house the beautiful cedar shingles protected by the broad roof overhang will age beautifully and gracefully and be there for many years to come.
Wood decking. And a wood deck is much more inviting than one made of a composite material. Each board will weather at its own pace and take on that patina that says, "Come, sit here and enjoy the view."
Copper. Stainless steel will always look shiny and new; aluminum needs to be painted, anodized or somehow finished; but copper, like a favored grandparent, just gets better with age. Even indoors, where it will age more slowly, copper provides character to this contemporary and spartan setting.
Natural stone. Newer quarrying and manufacturing techniques enable us to use natural stone on walls where previously only artificial stone was available.
And while the manufacturers of artificial stone do a terrific job creating some really nice stuff, nothing beats a natural stone for color and texture.
While we may someday be able to instantly manufacture materials that have taken eons to create, we just aren't there yet.
And while the manufacturers of artificial stone do a terrific job creating some really nice stuff, nothing beats a natural stone for color and texture.
While we may someday be able to instantly manufacture materials that have taken eons to create, we just aren't there yet.
Sunlight. Last, natural daylight beats electrically generated light any day of the week. Not only does natural daylight make you feel better, but it saves energy so is more sustainable. Perhaps in your new home or your next renovation project, you'll look for ways to bring more natural daylight inside.