Where Some Builders Skimp, Others Invest to Increase Long-Term Durability for Homeowners
A low-maintenance house is increasingly desirable. As people are investing in home selection choices, whether in new construction or in remodeling projects, selecting products that stand the test of time — with the least amount of maintenance — is ideal.
See our round-up of top trends and products below, including the factors to consider when selecting these products for your new home or remodeling project.
How to Create a Low-Maintenance Home
Current trends include:
1. Wood-Look Flooring
Wood-look flooring, such as porcelain tile, is beautiful, durable, and easy to clean. It's also allergy-friendly, capable of withstanding spills, and particularly well-suited for high-traffic areas and households with pets.
2. LED Lights
Switching from compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to light-emitting diode (LED) not only helps save on energy bills, but it can also save time and energy by not having to replace light bulbs frequently.
3. Washable Paint Finishes
Paint finishes that are washable and can be easily wiped down offer significant practicality, particularly in spaces with heavy foot traffic and households that include children and pets.
4. Non-Porous Countertop Materials
Countertop materials crafted from engineered stone, such as quartz, possess non-porous qualities, making them highly resistant to stains and scratches. Additionally, these materials do not require any sealing.
5. Full Height Kitchen Backsplash
These tend to be more costly to install, but installing tile as an accent to cover the wall entirely from the counter to the bottom of the upper cabinets is a splurge worth pursuing.
Full backsplashes help customize a kitchen space while protecting kitchen walls against cooking splatter. Tiles can wipe off in a snap, while painted walls with short-height backsplashes often require frequent repainting.
6. Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is more resistant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity than solid wood flooring, and it’s easy to clean. It’s also mostly found with a click-fitting system, making it quick and easy to install. The top layer can be sanded and re-finished if necessary since it’s real wood.
7. Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows help keep energy costs low because the insulation in the frame of the window itself is energy efficient. They are nearly 100% scratch free and don't require painting over time.
8. Composite Exterior Siding
Composite siding, such as fiber cement by James Hardie, comes with a 30-year warranty ensuring the longevity of your exterior siding. It doesn't attract pests and resists water absorption.
The James Hardie Baked-on ColorPlus® technology provides greater resistance to fading, chipping, and cracking than field-applied paint, meaning less maintenance on your siding.
9. Composite Decking
Decking, like Trex, is stronger and more resilient than its plastic and wood counterparts. While plastic and composite decking may both last between 25 and 30 years, a composite deck will retain its beauty and look new longer than a deck made from other materials.
10. Tankless Water Heaters
Instead of continuously heating water, tankless water heaters only heat the necessary amount of water when it is required. This on-demand heating capability allows tankless units to effectively minimize energy consumption by approximately 24% to 34% compared to conventional water heater tanks.
On-demand water heaters also tend to have a longer lifespan compared to tank water heaters. With appropriate maintenance practices in place, a tankless water heater has the potential to provide lasting functionality for up to 20 years — 5 to 10 years longer than its counterpart.
11. Melamine Closet Shelving
Melamine is waterproof and shatter and scratch resistant. There’s no need to repaint, sand, or refinish over time, and you can wipe and go for easy cleaning and maintenance.
12. Moen Plumbing Fixtures
Choosing high-end plumbing fixtures, such as Moen products, for faucets, sinks, baths, and showers ensures your products are highly durable and built to last. Using cheaper products requires extra maintenance and often early replacement over time.
Experience Award-Winning Low-Maintenance Homes by Rush Residential
At Rush Residential, our mission is to develop communities that exceed expectations. Recently named "Builder of the Year" for the second year in a row, we produce high-quality homes that incorporate these low-maintenance housing trends with an emphasis on quality, design, customer care, and sustainability.
To learn more about how we can move you into an exceptionally crafted Rush home that will serve generations to come, contact our team today.