Chicago has become renowned for its interesting mixture of architectural styles, whether that’s reflected in high-rises or single-story homes.
If you take a stroll around this vibrant city, you would be hard-pressed not to find countless different types of structures; however, when it comes to everyday low-rise construction, the city generally sticks to a few key building materials. From the classic brick to the more contemporary cinder block or Hardie board-side structures, these signature building materials bring a unique flavor and atmosphere to each building.
So when you’re shopping for a home, which ones should you look for or steer clear from? Here are some fast facts about traditional building materials you’ll find in Chicagoland and which are the best building materials for your home.
Brick
If you talk to people in the development world, 9 out of 10 would argue that brick is the best option for a home. It lasts the longest, it’s the most beautiful, and it also provides the best protection from natural elements such as wind and rain, making it a popular building material.
It also is energy efficient and has excellent insulation properties, providing a comfortable temperature inside the house regardless of the outside climate (and if you’ve ever lived through a Chicago winter…you know how important that is). And if you aren’t sold yet, homes built with brick are fire resistant, which is an important safety consideration.
If the looks of a home are at the top of your priority list, brick offers a stylish aesthetic that can add charm and elegance to any home, depending on the design and color selection.
Siding
If you can’t get brick, I’d recommend siding next. What kind of siding, you may ask? Read on to find out.
Vinyl siding panels are made from thin sheets of PVC that lock together. Not only does it protect your home from the elements, but also from peeling and cracking, plus low-maintenance upkeep. There are tons of color options, but they do tend to fade over time — and once it fades, you’ll need to replace them instead of repaint.
Hardie board siding is made of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. It provides good resistance to the elements, but it does deteriorate faster than brick. It’s not fastened as tightly to the home, so there’s a higher potential for gaps to appear. However, the pros of Hardie board (they’re durable, fire resistant, pest resistant, to name a few) definitely outweigh the cons.
All in all, siding is a solid option for a home material — I would never steer someone away from a home they loved just because it had siding. However, if you put two houses that are exactly the same side-by-side and one is brick and the other is siding, we’d take brick all day long.
Cinder Block
The third building material we commonly see in Chicago is cinder block. While it sounds strong and sturdy, you may have challenges with this one, too. You do have to seal it every seven to ten years, but it’s much easier to seal than some other materials.
Split Face block is a commonly used type of cinder block — it’s smooth on two sides and textured on the front, so many people use it just for looks. It’s also incredibly porous and has a lot of potential for water intrusion, a problem you most definitely do not want in your home. Because of this, they really don’t use it on residential construction for interior spaces at all anymore. You can use it in a garage. I understand it’s a cost-saving play there, but in my opinion, it’s not something you want in your actual home.
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge about which types of building materials are the best, we hope you feel confident start your home search. Just remember the mantra — you can’t beat the brick. As you continue your search for the perfect brick home, please browse some of our popular mortgage related articles as well.
