those outdoor spaces during colder temperatures. • Elevate the workspace: Exterior siding products make a perfect decorative element on the interior. With more workers logging in remotely, creating home offices that are welcoming and well-designed is top of mind. Shiplap siding or panelized stone siding is an easy way to add an accent wall to elevate a guest bedroom into a cozy home office. • Window options and placement: More time at home means even more need for better indoor air quality and comfort. For windows, this means paying attention to placement to maximize both daylighting and cross-ventilation. Sound control options also should be considered to minimize disruptions during the work day.
Enduring Design Trends
The pandemic hasn’t held back some of the ongoing design trends—in fact, as homeowners look to make their homes their sanctuary, optimizing aesthetics is just as important as preserving practicality. • Authenticity: Authentic siding and trim profiles offer the nostalgia of tradition and the comfort of the tried-and-
BOARD-AND-BATTEN looks, such as this façade created with TruExterior poly-ash trim, are trending for home exteriors.
Building-Products.com
A SHIPLAP WALL made with TruExterior poly-ash siding dresses up this office space.
true, fueling a greater sense of normalcy in a world that is anything but. • Multi-textured facades: Multi-textured facades continue to be in demand over more one-note exteriors. Blending multiple cladding types, such as a stone siding half wall with vinyl or poly-ash siding above, and incorporating shingles or vertical accents on gables and bump-outs helps distinguish homes along the streetscape and adds warmth and curb appeal. • Vertical and board-and-batten siding: Vertical and board-and-batten siding are ideal ways to add dimension and visual interest to the home exterior, particularly as homeowners clamor for multi-textured façades and Modern Farmhouse looks. Vertical applications also can help spice up accent areas, such as gables. Even after the restrictions of COVID-19 fade into memory, the idea of the home as a place of escape and sanctuary is likely to remain for some time. Simple touches can add physical and aesthetic comfort to secure the feeling of home. – Ben Drury is brand manager for Boral Building Products, manufacturer of exterior building materials with 11 product brands including Foundry Siding, Kleer Lumber, TruExterior Siding & Trim, and Versetta Stone siding. For more information, visit www. boralbuildingproducts.com.
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