Low maintenance is a request from homeowners time and time again. Is it really attainable?  Between soccer games, practices, laundry, homework, meal planning, and the nonstop rhythm of daily life, free time is precious. The last thing you want to do is worry about rotting wood siding, warped vinyl door frames, toppled planters spilling dirt across the porch, or battling weeds in the flower beds. The foundation of weekend-ready living starts with a thoughtful, low-maintenance home design.

A beautiful, simple, maintenance free home doesn’t happen by accident. Do your research and make a plan. After doing my research I discovered that people are going for low maintenance and streamlined living. A report by Opendoor claims consumers are moving away from opulent living and 81% are wanting a more simple design. Property upkeep is too much! Americans want to declutter for a low maintenance lifestyle. We are making intentional choices to simplify our lives.

Let’s design a low maintenance home that gives your weekends back!

Simplify Your Life: Tips for a Low Maintenance Home

Tip #1. Go for Fiber Cement Siding

Details About Fiber Cement Siding: 

• Lasts decades

• Fire, insect, rot, and warp resistant

• Withstands hail, wind, & high temps

• Mimics the look of wood

• Very durable – impact resistant

• Eco conscious

Fiber cement cladding is one of those no-brainer choices. It looks great, holds up in all kinds of weather, and doesn’t need constant attention.  It just kind of does its thing. Which means fewer weekends spent on ladders or with a paintbrush in hand. With a simple power wash fiber cement will look new again.

Tip #2. Go for Copper Gutters, Awnings, and Lighting.

Details About Copper Gutters, Awnings, and Lighting:

• Can last 100 years

• Elegant and high quality look

• Patina protects the metal so no sealing or painting is needed

• Very resistant to rust, dents, & corrosion

• Eco conscious

Copper accents, whether it’s gutters, awnings, or trim, add instant character and warmth to a home. If you love that shiny, just-installed look, you’ll need to apply a sealant every couple of years. But if you’re into the rich, natural patina that develops over time, you can just let it age beautifully on its own.

Either way, copper doesn’t need much from you. It holds up incredibly well, resists corrosion, and looks better year after year. It’s one of those rare materials that manages to be both timeless and zero-maintenance — no headache or fussing required.

Tip #3. Go for “Wood Look” (faux) Siding, Accents, Garage Doors, and Front Doors.

Details About the “Wood Look” – Low Maintenance Siding, Accents, Garage Doors, and Front Doors:

• Natural look without the natural headache

• No swelling or rotting

• No need to stain or seal

• Easy to handle because of lighter material

• Weather resistant

Pre-finished faux wood gives you that warm, natural wood look, without all the upkeep real wood demands. It lasts 30 to 50 years and only needs a quick power wash now and then to keep it looking great. Clopay garage doors agrees that faux wood doors have the have the same charm as real wood but without the price tag and upkeep. The texture is so convincing, most people won’t even realize it’s not the real thing.

What they will notice? You, actually enjoying your weekends instead of sanding, staining, or repainting.

Tip #4. Go for Corten Steel Planters & Accents.

Details About Corten Steel Planters & Accents:

• Has an iconic weathered look & earthy feel

• Over time, the rust-like patina forms a protective coating (best not to use in an area of constant moisture)

• No need to paint or refinish

• 100% recyclable

Corten steel forms a natural, protective patina that stands up to the weather, so there’s no need to paint or seal. Our designers love using it on all kinds of homes because it has this earthy, organic look that only gets better with time — plus, it’s incredibly tough. In dry or moderate climates, corten steel can last 50 to 100 years with almost no maintenance.

That means fewer chores, no touch-ups, and giving your weekend back. Whether it’s used for planters, siding, or accents, it holds up beautifully and lets you spend more time enjoying your home instead of working on it.

Tip #5. Go for Xeriscape.

Details About Xeriscape:

• Water wise landscape for drought prone areas

• Depending on your climate, Xeriscape can lower water bill 50-80%

• Native plants from your region are the foundation of Xeriscape design

• Attracts pollinators

• Environmentally friendly

Xeriscaping goes beyond low-maintenance — it’s virtually no-maintenance. When you use native, drought-tolerant plants, they pretty much take care of themselves. No fertilizers, no pesticides, no daily watering. Just hardy plants that are happy where they are because they are living in their preferred climate.

And since you’re not dealing with a green, well manicured lawn, you can forget about spending your weekends behind a mower. Less maintenance, no chemicals, and a yard that still looks great – our design team is loving it!

Tip #6. Go for Automated Lighting.

Details About Automated LED Lighting.

• Program lights to turn on and off during times that work for you

• Safety – automated lighting can illuminate when someone enters the property

• LED lighting can last 10 years if used 8 hours a day

• There’s no forgetting to turn the light off

Automated lighting is a great way to get  your weekends back. There’s no remembering to turn on and off lights; therefore, less fretting over your electric bill. US Department of Energy says the average American saves over $225 year when using energy efficient bulbs. With LED, you may never need to change a bulb again and have more money in your pocket.

Tip #7. Go for a Metal Roof.

Details About a Metal Roof:

• Lasts significantly longer than asphalt shingles 
• Different types of metal roofs: steel, aluminum, copper, etc
• Metal roofs actually reflect solar radiant heat – heat reflective
• Durable and resistant during extreme weather conditions
• Eco friendly – 100% recyclable

We realize a metal roof has a higher upfront price tag; however, it is an excellent option for a low maintenance lifestyle. Due to the durability of a metal roof, fewer repairs are needed – no loose or missing shingles. Because of the smooth surface, many leaves and twigs simply fall or blow away; therefore, less in the gutters. In addition, what makes a metal roof even more desirable, is the lifespan. A metal roof will last between 40-70 years; whereas a shingle roof will need replaced about every 15-20. Beautiful, low maintenance, and will stand the test of time. So, you will be spending your weekends on the ground as opposed to a roof!

Tip #8. Go for High Quality Doors and Windows.

Details About High Quality Doors and Windows:

• There are different options for window and door material, including: wood, fiberglass, vinyl, aluminum, composite, etc.
• Low-E coating for energy efficiency
• Come with an excellent warranty
• Feel and look secure
• ROI for high quality window replacement – upwards of 80%
• ROI for high quality door replacement – can exceed 100%

Windows:

Do maintenance free windows and doors truly exist? Hmmm, not exactly, but there are choices you can make to keep the maintenance to minimum. Natural wood is gorgeous. There is nothing that compares to the look or the strong feeling they portray; on the other hand, natural wood means maintenance. As a result, our design team often recommends an alternate material suited for your climate, budget, and lifestyle. Depending on quality, vinyl windows tend to be a tad less maintenance than aluminum in most areas. Just wipe with soapy warm water and vinyl will be good as new.

Doors:

Fiberglass doors are known for their durability. For instance, they don’t dent, rust, crack, warp, or corrode. A simple wipe down with warm soapy water as needed and the door is back to beautiful.  That said, they do have a tendency to fade if exposed to repeated direct sunlight. So, maintenance free… not exactly, but it’s our #1 choice for getting your weekend back!

BUT if you’re looking for the largest ROI, a steel front door steals the show!

Tip #9. Go for Simple.

Details About a Simple Home Design:

• Nooks, crannies, and places for bugs and debris to hide is kept to a minimum
• Use sustainable materials
• Keep in mind – the more stuff you have the more that needs maintenance – simplify
• Think functional, clean lines
• Colors – If you live in an area with lots of dust or trees, white may not be the best option

For weekend ready living, an ornamental home with lots of exterior details is not the best option. First, all the angles, niches, alcoves may look fun; however, bugs and debris love to make home in those areas too. Second, with a lot going on, there’s a lot to clean and maintain. A maintenance free lifestyle leans simple. The house above is beautiful – windows, railing, and scalloped trim and the color and materials are unique and special. That said, there is a commitment involved in keeping the character.

Low maintenance also means being realistic about your environment and climate. When choosing colors, it’s important to be in tune with your surroundings.

Tip #10. Go for Ventilation.

Details about Home Ventilation:

• You want good exterior ventilation – means exchanging air between inside and outside
• Airflow is key
• You may not know it but your home likely has: soffit vents, ridge vents, wall vents, gable vents, crawl space vents, etc. all  helping with adequate ventilation
• Prevents moisture build up, mold, mildew, etc
• Prevents damage to insulation and building materials
• Keeps you healthy!

Airflow is essential for your personal health and your home’s health. Think of it like breathing – without air, you can’t breathe. Similarly, neither can  your home. A well ventilated home naturally requires less maintenance due to less condensation and dust.

Changing your air filter every few months, turning on your bathroom fan while your showing, using a ducted range hood to remove kitchen smells, and cleaning your indoor vents and air ducts when you see loose dirt on the register are all ways to maintain a low maintenance home.

Summary:

Simplify your life. Use these tips to help get you started:

#1. Use fiber cement siding if given a choice.

#2. Opt for copper awnings, gutters, and lighting if it’s in the budget.

#3. Go for “wood look” (faux) siding, accents, garage doors, front doors, etc. It’s less expensive and durable.

#4. If you like the look, use corten steel planters and accents.

#5. Use Xeriscape techniques and watch your plants thrive with minimal work!

#6.  Automated LED lighting requires no extra maintenance and will save on energy costs.

#7. When time to replace, consider a metal roof. They last 3x longer than asphalt and have far fewer issues.

#8. High quality windows and doors make a difference. Above all, think about materials to eliminate constant repairs.

#9. Keep it simple. A beautiful home doesn’t need to have all the fluff.

#10. Ventilation and airflow is the key to your home’s breathing and is easy to achieve.

In conclusion, our design team has many ideas to help you simplify your life and maintain a low maintenance home and low maintenance yard. It’s a desire we hear from homeowners like you every day. We understand that your free time is valuable and the last thing you want to be doing is battling weeds and constant home repairs! Living a low maintenance life should not be difficult. Make intentional choices and get your weekends back.

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