what's with all the stone and brick?! (Austin, Portland: homes, construction)

[tulegirl]

Doesn't the brick help with the heating & cooling?

[Trainwreck20]

I don't really think that brick or rock are better insulation than wood, but not sure. The rock actually is a pretty good heat conductor (much better than wood), so that is a negative. On the other hand, you generally have a much thicker layer of rock than wood, so that is a positive. I suppose it mostly cancels out.

[jhwest]

Oh,
I remember the LP siding debacle. We lived in Portland and were one of the first people to file our complaint, so we actually got a total replacement paid for. That has soured me on siding, though.
Here it seems that wood siding is definitely viewed as "cheap". If you had a big fancy colonial that probably wouldn't be the case, but if you have new construction, it's got to be brick or stone. And stucco? I just moved from Utah where stucco is very popular. Yuck! It's so drab and boring. Unless you paint it pink like some crazy people like to do.

[achtungpv]

To clarify, the siding used in all new construction here is HardiPlank or another cement board. It doesn't burn, rot, or warp. It is considered a masonry siding for insurance just like brick and stone. It is manufactured to have a grain so it looks just like wood. If siding or a wood house is your thing, cement board is the way to go IMHO, but native Texans love that brick.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by achtungpv

To clarify, the siding used in all new construction here is HardiPlank or another cement board. It doesn't burn, rot, or warp. It is considered a masonry siding for insurance just like brick and stone. It is manufactured to have a grain so it looks just like wood. If siding or a wood house is your thing, cement board is the way to go IMHO, but native Texans love that brick.

Most upper end homebuilders use HardiPlank where they have "siding". We have it on our house and I like that it looks like real wood. HOWEVER, it still does get hail damage.

Most cities REQUIRE that a certain percentage of buildings have some type of "masonry" exterior. This is usually only considered to be brick or stone. Some cities have yet to view HardiPlank as a masonry product as it still looks like siding/wood.

[HappyTexan]

I don't think it's the city that requires it but the subdivision. My deed restrictions call for 3 sides brick minimum but all of us here have 4 sides brick as we all did custom builds. 4 sides brick is more expensive.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

I don't think it's the city that requires it but the subdivision. My deed restrictions call for 3 sides brick minimum but all of us here have 4 sides brick as we all did custom builds. 4 sides brick is more expensive.

Some cities do. I know some are different and it varies depending on region. If you come up to the Dallas Metroplex it is pretty well standard by the city codes that there must be a certain percentage of masonry and then the subdivision deeds can have an even higher portion required. I know Rockwall requires that if ANY stone is used it must be REAL stone and not faux stone like is often used.

[gregandvicky]

Originally Posted by justanothercalifornian

Is this the only style builders use in Austin? I can't seem to get away from it in my home searches. Help!

No upkeep and a great insulator.

[CJKing]

Welcome to the rock!

[Phisch]

When I moved to CA the stucco drove me nuts. All the houses looked the same! There was nothing but stucco. Brick? No way, bad in earthquakes.

I thought I wouldn't like the stone at all judging from photos of Austin houses on real estate listings. For some reason, it's really different in real life and I love it. I still don't like the look of the really pale limestone but there are some homes in our neighborhood that have really great colors and look well done.

Then there are the brick homes. Ugh. I've yet to see one I like.

Siding is ok, but I dunno. Driving north on Mopac from Slaughter, on your right you'll see a house with siding that's really mouldy. Maybe it's not hardiplank and it's really old wood?

Question, though. I assumed that you would have some maintenance on the rock. Doesn't it discolor after a while? The discoloration is nice but don't most people get that cleaned off every few years? Would it be bad to let moss grow on your house?