5 Durable and Weather Resistant Building Materials

With society’s increased focus on sustainability, it is more important than ever to create durable and weather resistant structures. Not only can durable and weather resistant buildings help you control your utility consumption, but they can also greatly limit the cost and resources required for future maintenance, repairs, and replacements. With this in mind, the following breakdown looks at 5 durable and weather resistant building materials that can form the basis of a new construction project.

1. ICF Framing

Most buildings have traditionally been framed using some sort of CAD-designed, prefabricated, oriented strand board panel. While these structural wood panels do have their utility, they are not necessarily one of the most resilient materials on the market. OSB panels are susceptible to moisture damage and mold buildup. In addition, small imperfections, created during the prefabrication and transportation processes, can create cracks through which air can infiltrate the building envelope. Finally, structural wood panels make for one of the most potentially flammable building construction types.

A more durable and weather resistant option would be ICF framing. An increasingly popular way to build homes (especially in those neighborhoods ravaged by natural disaster), ICF framing features blocks of polystyrene foam with space in between to pour a concrete wall. The result is a completely airtight frame whose inorganic composition makes it unsusceptible to mold, fire, or insect damage. In addition, the high thermal mass of ICF helps regulate interior temperatures in conditions of extreme weather.

2. WINCO Windows

Windows are one of the most important elements of ensuring a weather-resistant building. Not only can quality windows help provide insulation against heat transfer, but they resist UV and weather damage to provide an airtight seal for the building.

Unfortunately, most standard windows are not up to the task of handling nature’s most extreme conditions over time. As a result, if you live in an area susceptible to hurricanes, tornados, or other high-wind conditions, it is worth your time to consider the investment in hurricane resistant windows by WINCO. These windows are designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 250 MPH, with impact testing to repel a 5-pound 2X4 plank traveling at 100 MPH. While these windows provide elite protection from the elements, they are far more than utilitarian, with an attractive appearance that helps boost the curb appeal of private residences, schools, hospitals, and countless other structures.

3. Fiber Cement Siding

Siding is one of the crucial elements for securing the best building envelope possible. Unfortunately, some of the most popular siding options, such as brick and wood planks, have some serious durability concerns. Brick is highly porous, so without regular sealing, the siding will absorb water, creating expansion and shrinking that will inevitably lead to cracks. Wood planks provide a building with rustic charm when new but must be painted or retreated at least every other year to maintain their insulative properties.

Therefore, a better choice is innovative fiber cement siding. Fabricated from a combination of sand, water, cement, and cellulose fibers, fiber cement siding retains its attractive appearance and insulative properties over time, with very little maintenance or upkeep required. Rated to last at least 30 years, fiber cement siding will very likely be good for the life of the building.

4. Trex Hideaway® Hidden Fastening System

As part of a home’s exterior, the deck is one of the areas of a property most likely to confront inclement weather. Therefore, its fabrication must be unassailable. One way to help ensure this is, instead of using standard nails or screws for setting planks, to use Trex fasteners to attach the planks to the joists. The Trex fastening system uses a weather-resistant stainless steel screw that inserts into a plastic clip and attaches to the deck’s joists. The grooves of the composite planks then slide seamlessly into the plastic clips, hiding them from view. By using these clips instead of directly nailing down planks, homeowners can guarantee even spacing between each deck plank. This not only improves aesthetics, but helps ensure that no moisture puddles in areas where planks are too close together.

5. DRYLOK® Waterproofing Finishes

Although concrete is generally considered a durable building material, it has a tendency to be porous when left untreated. This has the potential to be problematic in areas, such as garage floors, that come into frequent contact with moisture. Whether it be from leaking car fluids, rain dripping off of parked cars, or simply feet tracking in exterior elements, untreated garage floors are likely to stain and crack over time.

Therefore, it is important to take steps to create a waterproof garage floor. To help in this regard, DRYLOCK® offers a number of quality products--specifically its latex garage floor paint--that can weatherproof your garage floor, help it withstand heavy traffic, and maintain its appearance in the face of frequent cleanings.

The Most Durable and Weather Resistant Materials for New Construction

Durable and weather resistant building materials can help reduce the time and cost associated with building maintenance and upkeep. When looking into creating durable and weather resistant construction projects, ICF framing, WINCO windows, fiber cement siding, Trex Hideaway® Hidden Fastening System, and DRYLOCK® waterproofing finishes are 5 of the most innovative building materials from which to choose.

Max Shafer is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Max is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.