Exterior Finishes

Tags: Exteriors, Sustainable Products

Source: YouthBuild USA for the DOL TA Collaborative

Type: Fact Sheet

The exterior of a house is designed to protect the home from the elements, but is also a vital part of a home's visual appeal. There are many choices when it comes to the external finish of a home, and most have pros and cons when it comes to environmental considerations and energy savings.

Download this document to learn about the pros and cons of commonly used exterior materials such as vinyl siding, solid-sawn wood, and plastic-wood composities. The document also discusses implementing green exterior finishes such as:

Safely treated lumber
Earth-based plaster
Fiber cement and cement board
Sidewall shingles or OSB siding
Masonite or ABTco Stucco
MaxiPlank or James Hardie products
Polmer products like Nailite
Vinyl products like Wolverine