Creative Faux Panels

Recently we were asked about installing our faux panels as exterior home siding, and whether or not it was necessary to use Drainage Mats during the process. Here’s what you need to know:

Drainage mats are invisible beneath the exterior siding; but offer numerous benefits.

Drainage mats are sheets made from recycled polypropylene, which can be installed underneath our artificial stone, rock, wood or brick veneer panels.

There are lots of benefits to using drainage mats. They offer better moisture control, and provide better air quality inside a home by allowing the house to breath. They also help reduce the chance of water leaks in extreme weather, and can even help reduce heating and air conditioning costs by offering an extra layer of insulation.

For these reasons, using drainage mats underneath our siding has become increasingly common throughout the United States; and is now a requirement according to Canadian building code. The good news is, adding draining mats to your installation doesn’t involve a significant amount of extra investment or installation time.

Drainage mats are installed on exterior walls, underneath where you intend to install your faux panels. They can be attached to the wall with construction adhesive and exterior grade staples, to ensure a secure fit. If your home features house wrap, install the drainage mats right on top just as you would to a bare wooden or brick wall.

Installing drainage mats is simple and straightforward.

After installing drainage mats, you simply install the siding exactly as you normally would. Apply construction adhesive to the back of your the panels and attach them straight to the drainage matting. Then secure the panels with screws. One screw per square foot and along the edges and you’re done!

Once your home siding is installed, drainage mats are completely invisible – but continue to offer a number of benefits that will ensure they pay for themselves many times over during the course of the next few years.

For more information about using drainage mats for exterior siding projects, check out this faux panel installation guide – and remember to always refer to your local building codes before you start your installation.

We all know that the housing market has taken quite a beating that last few years. Google “housing market” and it’s a lot of gloom and doom. If you’re looking to sell your home, it’s a good idea to ramp up its curb appeal without spending a fortune.

Studies have shown that pouring large amounts of money into lavish remodeling projects doesn’t always guarantee that you’ll make that money back upon sale of your home. In most cases, you actually lose out. Making smart choices equals a bigger return on investment.

Curb appeal is one of the most important factors for a potential buyer. Of course – it’s the first thing they see! In addition to some basic exterior improvements such as clearing yard debris, mowing the lawn, maybe planting some flowers – you also may want to consider replacing your home’s siding – especially if you’re home’s existing exterior is looking worn or outdated.

I wanted something that would look natural to our area in New York yet get rid of the horrible stucco and help our cookie cutter raised ranch stand out. – Sharon M.

A good example of a homeowner’s success siding her house with panels came from Sharon M.. She was kind enough to share photos of the final results she achieved using Regency Stacked Stone panels to update the look of her raised ranch in New York. Not bad for a stay-at-home mom with no carpentry experience. Actually – really, really good!

Using faux paneling for an exterior siding project may be a very good option for you. Not only are the materials less expensive than using real stone, brick or wood – most average homeowners find they complete the installation themselves in a very short time. Not having to hire a contractor – Bonus!!

Click here to read Sharon’s full testimonial and see other customer’s project results using faux paneling.

Entrance with Nailon Stone in Glacier White

There are two towns in the area where I live that are about six miles away from each other, yet virtually a universe apart when it comes to their building aesthetic. One of them is your classic New England village, with stately old whaling captain houses – lots of white wood and black shutters. The other is well…not. The majority of the town is covered in little summer cottages and restaurants that are every bright color you could imagine, usually in the pink and purple families. We’re not talking understated lavenders and roses here…

Exterior with Glacier White Nailon Stone

So shocking magenta or violet may not be your cup of tea, but the average white wood house isn’t really your bag either. You might want to consider the look of white brick or stone. White looks good with everything, no matter what your landscaping or surrounding areas look like, yet the texture can give your house that little something extra. And what a more perfect time to spiffy up your home’s exterior than spring?

Luckily faux panels are super-easy to clean, and if after awhile you feel like a change, they easily can be painted. You just might want to avoid that can of Pepto-Bismol pink.

Colonial White Nailon Brick