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Traditional Design Meets Modern Materials for Massachusetts Tudor Home

Sweeping rooflines on Massachusetts Tudor home

From a distance, NS Builders’ recent new-construction home in Needham, Mass., is stunning in its beauty and traditional New England appeal. Taking a closer look, the results only get better as the numerous unique features of the Tudor home reveal themselves, showcasing the builder’s keen attention to detail and commitment to authenticity.

Nick Schiffer’s clients came to him with a request for a traditional home, one that held true to American architecture. Schiffer worked with Tiek Design Group, which designed a beautiful 7,800-square-foot Tudor-style home featuring quintessential gables, curved roofs of varying pitches, and a multitextured façade of reclaimed brick, wood-look siding, custom shutters, and composite roofing offering a nod to the region’s history while meeting the performance realities of today.

Brick, Siding, and Shutters Deliver Texture, Authenticity

Across the façade, two primary materials interplay to bring a cohesive, eye-catching look. The home’s two primary gables frame the entry in beautiful antiqued brick reclaimed from a train station in New Hampshire; the brick continues through the entry stairs and walkway retaining wall.

The remainder of the façade features TruExterior® poly-ash siding. The 8-inch planks, crafted by DURATION Moulding & Millwork, were installed vertically with precise 1/8-inch spacing for a true nickel gap appearance. Made with a proprietary blend of fly ash and polymers, TruExterior siding offers the look of real wood alongside low maintenance, high performance, and resistance to moisture, warping, and insects.

“We’ve had experience with TruExterior and DURATION in the past and chose it for its durability, longevity, paintability, and workability,” Schiffer says. “We wanted a product we could put up and know we weren’t going to have long-term maintenance issues.”

The siding was installed over a synthetic rainscreen with a gap at the bottom to ensure trapped moisture can escape the wall system.

TruExterior Siding and reclaimed brick on a Massachusetts Tudor home

The dark taupe of the TruExterior siding offers the perfect backdrop to the deep brown shutters and window frames. The Atlantic Premium Shutters® feature a V-groove flat panel style, lending an elegant, historic look. Authentic hinge hardware and shutter stays provide both authenticity and operability. Schiffer also added spring-loaded catches for extra security. As part of Atlantic’s custom color program, the shutters were painted to the customer’s specs to match the Benjamin Moore “Black Bean Soup” paint color on the home’s garage doors.

“When we came across Atlantic Shutters, we knew they could nail the details and work with us to customize them and provide us with a high-quality shutter,” Schiffer recalls.

Each shutter was crafted for the window sizes, ensuring proper coverage both physically when closed and visually when opened.

Atlantic Premium Shutters on Massachusetts Tudor Home

Other authentic details include a dramatic walnut entry door, robust window trim, and half-round gutters color-matched to the trim. The gutters lead to a standalone drainage system that collects into a single catch basin to recharge the groundwater.

Shutter hardware

Slate-Look Roof Tops Off Historic Aesthetic to Tudor Home

Perhaps the most prominent element lending this home its Tudor look are its rooflines, most notably the matching steeply pitched gables that define the front façade. Each asymmetric gable combines a straight pitch to the inside and gentle swooping curve to the outside, a feature repeated in several other areas of the house for a quintessential estate feel.

In its early stages, the design called for a cedar roof, but the high costs led Schiffer to consider other options. His team built a mockup to test materials, eventually landing on DaVinci® Roofscapes Multi-Width Slate Shingles. The synthetic material offers the look of slate in a lighter weight and boasting Class 4 impact resistance, a Class A fire rating, and a 110-mph wind rating.

“The nice part about it is that the multi-width is available in 6-, 7-, 9, 10-, and 12-inch widths, so when you’re installing it you get that randomized pattern, which I believe gives it that authentic look,” Schiffer says. “We had people stop by and look at it from the street and ask if it was slate.”

Sweeping rooflines on Massachusetts Tudor home

Schiffer says the DaVinci roofing offered a more cost-effective option versus real slate; using real slate also may have required reengineering the roof to support its weight. In addition, the product’s malleability made it easier to install on the curved portions of the roof, and matching ridge caps accommodated the pitches easily.

Though not required by DaVinci, NS Builders installed ice and water shield under the roofing to allow contractors from Boston Exterior Remodeling to take their time installing the vast roof without worrying about the sheathing being exposed; it also allowed interior finishing crews to start their jobs sooner.  

NS Builders Connects With Manufacturers for Support

Throughout the process, Schiffer found a strong support system from Atlantic Premium Shutters, DaVinci Roofscapes, and TruExterior, all of which are part of the Westlake Royal Building Products™ portfolio of brands.

“They made it easy to work through what we needed in terms of technical details, provided samples when necessary, and had an overall willingness to work with us,” the builder says.

NS Builders completed the home in late 2023, just in time for the family to enjoy a cozy New England Christmas.

To see footage of the home and detailed walk-throughs of the exterior construction techniques, catch up with NS Builders on Instagram and check out their videos:

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“Family to the Rescue” Remodel Improves Homeowner Accessibility

Front of family to the Rescue house featuring Foundry siding and Royal trim

On April 6, Dina saw her newly renovated home for the first time. The joyful reveal was the culmination of months of hard work by volunteers, product donors, and Rescuing Families, a nonprofit organization that specializes in remodeling the homes of people with physical limitations. The donation and installation will be featured on the docuseries “Family to the Rescue” on PBS.

Updates Bring Safe, Modern Improvements

The home, located in Franklin Square, New York, was renovated to improve accessibility and safety for Dina. Dina and her father have lived in the home for nine years.  

Front of family to the Rescue house, featuring Foundry siding and Royal trim

The bungalow’s new exterior exudes a cozy coastal vibe with cedar-look shingles, crisp white trim, and elegant flower boxes. Working closely with its distributor partner New Castle Ronkonkoma in Long Island, Westlake Royal Building Products™ donated Foundry 7″ Split Shake siding in the color Golden Straw, as well as rabbeted white Royal PVC corners, starter strip, historic window trim sill, and trimboard. Westlake Royal team members were also on site to assist with the installation.

“From our work as contractors and our experience as caretakers, we have seen that often when a person is suffering from an illness, mental or physical disability or even aging, their home becomes an unsafe environment for a multitude of reasons. We see individuals not being able to thrive in their homes anymore, and even get to the point of becoming fearful of their own homes,” said Gina Cantone-Centauro, co-founder of Rescuing Families. “With the help of our partners like Westlake Royal, and the community, we are able to work on projects that affect the overall quality of life of our community’s most vulnerable.

The front of the home is more welcoming, with a larger porch and beautiful windows.

Rear of family to the Rescue house, featuring Foundry siding and Royal trim.

The interior was gutted to the studs. The finished project included new drywall and paint; new flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and heating; and a new, modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry, and a beautiful tile backsplash in Dina’s favorite color, blue. Dina’s sister Gina cleaned and repaired stained glass piece in the kitchen window, which had been beloved by their mother. An old chimney discovered during demo was updated with manufactured stone.

Remodeled kitchen

Family to the Rescue Improves Lives

“Family to the Rescue” follows Rescuing Families on its quest to improve the lives of people with disabilities. There are more than 50 million disabled individuals in the United States who need access to unique home construction and specialized design. Through a completely new approach to home design, they transform the lives of families who feel forgotten, and raise awareness of solutions that are available for them.

“We are humbled and honored to donate Foundry siding and trim to the well-deserving family and contractors working with Rescuing Families,” said Steve Booz, vice president, marketing, Westlake Royal Building Products. “Making homes safe and accessible for people with disabilities is incredibly important to us, and we feel confident that our products will be low maintenance and durable, ensuring that these families do not need to worry about upkeep or renovations after installation.”

Remodeled bathroom

“The products that we work with are extremely important to the overall outcome of our renovations, and we are so thankful to Westlake Royal for their generous donation of top-quality siding and trim,” said Vinny Centauro, co-founder of Rescuing Families. “We always want to make sure that the products we use are low maintenance and long lasting, so the last thing the families need to worry about is upkeep. We want to give our families absolutely zero work while also making the home accessible to their specific needs.”

See the home’s transformation by following #ProjectDina on Instagram.

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1930s Virginia Farmhouse Undergoes Sustainable Renovation

A sustainable renovation transformed this farmhouse in Virginia

Though the Avondale Farmhouse of today is brimming with modern features, its story goes back more than four generations. The home and farm surrounding it have been passed down through Donna Browning’s family since the late 19th century, transforming many times over the years with the changes of life and time. Most recently, the farmhouse underwent a sustainable renovation that enhanced its efficiency, upkeep, and durability.

The story begins with Donna Browning’s great-grandfather, who acquired the first two-over-two home on 252 acres near Rice, Virginia, in the late 1800s. After that original house burned down in 1930, Donna’s grandfather elected to move his family into the village, but he kept running the farm, and in 1935 built a story-and-a-half house there for his foreman. In 1975, Donna’s father, James, and her husband, Bob, gutted the foreman’s house and added a family room, rear porch, and additional bathroom. James and his wife, Hilda, lived in the home until 2011.

After that, Bob Browning, who has a degree in architecture from Virginia Tech and spent his career in construction, began drawing up plans to renovate the house again, eventually adding an additional bedroom, two bathrooms, an office, and a larger family room. After this final renovation was completed in 2022, the farmhouse now boasts around 3,000 square feet with five bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

The farm itself also transitioned over the years, originally harvesting tobacco, and later adding a dairy operation. Today, the land is leased to a neighboring farmer for hay and beef cattle.

A Durable, Sustainable Renovation

More space for modern living wasn’t the only goal Browning had in mind for the remodel. He also wanted it to be as green as possible. The original construction and additions comply with the certification standards of the Viridiant program. Formerly EarthCraft, Viridiant is a regional green building program focused on using building science to make homes more affordable, durable, livable, and serviceable. Also, he updated all assemblies and systems to LEED for Homes standards.

Among the features Browning implemented into the sustainable renovation were new low-E double-pane windows, TruExterior poly-ash siding, and metal roofing. He replaced the 1970s-era batt insulation with blown-in cavity insulation plus nail-base insulated sheathing to reduce air infiltration and to increase the R-value while eliminating thermal breaks. He upgraded the HVAC system to an 18-SEER two-stage compressor with multi-positional variable-speed air handler; enclosed the crawlspace; converted appliances, including two fireplaces, to propane; and repurposed existing hardwood flooring; among a host of other upgrades.

Browning’s sustainability goals were so successful that he won Viridiant’s “Single-Family Project of the Year” award in 2023.

Sustainable renovation includes converting wood-burning fireplaces to propane.
The walnut mantels above the propane stove and fireplace—converted from wood-burning units—were handcrafted by the third-generation owner from a tree on the property.

Sustainable Siding

Among Browning’s planning was “an extensive search for a siding material that was sustainable, is easy to maintain, and would require minimal repainting over time” he recalls. “I looked for a while then discovered TruExterior Siding and Trim.”

TruExterior Siding & Trim® from Westlake Royal Building Products™ is made with poly-ash, a blend of fly ash (a byproduct from coal-fired power plants that otherwise would be sent to the landfill) and polymers, for 70% recycled content. What’s more, it’s durable: It is resistant to rot, decay, and bugs; is ideal for areas with high humidity and rain; is suitable for ground contact applications; and is dimensionally stable for long-lasting paint adhesion. Along with TruExterior Siding, Browning used TruExterior for all of the trim, including fascia, frieze, window casing, and corner boards. He used channel trim made with TruExterior to eliminate the need for caulk that would eventually harden, crack, and fall out. 

“It’s all about attention to detail,” Browning said, noting that he kept on top of his contractors to ensure they installed all of the siding and trim properly in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines. “We installed and painted it in 2018, and it’s still clean and fresh today. When shown to guests, they are quite impressed with how well the paint has held up.”

Hand-painted switchplates were a personal touch for this sustainable renovation.
Switchplates, hand-painted by Lee Moffett, show the original Browning family homeplace in Broad Run, Virginia. Another cover portrays the Greystone Service Station with attached house and snack bar where Bob grew up in Warrenton, Virginia.

A Labor of Love

The story of the Avondale Farmhouse sustainable renovation is about both the family that runs the farm—it’s being passed on to its fifth generation, Donna and Bob Browning’s children—as well as the house and its many layers. Among the modern updates are a host of decades-old details that will never go out of style, including solid-walnut fireplace mantels handcrafted by Donna’s father, electrical switchplates hand-painted by family friend Lee Moffett with scenes from the Fauquier County, Virginia, countryside where Bob grew up, antique furniture from both the Browning and Mahan families, and heart pine flooring made from trees harvested from the land.

As Browning notes, “Every piece of this home has a story to tell.”

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2023 Southern Living Idea House Embraces Natural Surroundings, Indoor-Outdoor Living

Southern Living Idea House back porch with Zuri decking

Nestled on 20 acres of rolling countryside near Nashville, the 2023 Southern Living Idea House offers a distinct nod to its relaxed surroundings and roots, blending a cozy, welcoming vibe with contemporary and eclectic touches inside and out.

Architects at Lake + Land Studio sought a Modern Farmhouse look but with a feel that it was built over time and added onto in a thoughtful way, growing with the needs of the people who lived there while still working with the landscape. The high-vaulted ceilings of the great room are balanced by smaller adjacent gathering spaces, ample windows of varying sizes and heights bring in lots of light, and the multi-slide back door opens up views to the countryside and valley.

Southern Living Idea House

Southern-Style Outdoor Living

As with any true Southern home, seamlessly connected outdoor living spaces were crucial, anchored by a welcoming front porch and a cozy rear terrace with optional screening. An outdoor kitchen and a raised-bed garden expand the entertainment opportunities.

“Overall the house [has] deeper and exaggerated bracketed overhangs on the front and back porches, which allow you to enjoy those spaces a little bit longer when [the day] gets to the hot parts of the sun, but also helps shield you from the many rainy days that we deal with,” Luke Sippel, architect with Lake + Land Studio, told Southern Living.

With the emphasis on indoor-outdoor interplay, interior designer Laura Hodges and the architects worked together to choose the decking, opting for Zuri® Premium Decking from Westlake Royal Building Products™ in the Chestnut color. “We wanted to make sure the decking would work with the interior flooring,” says Hodges, owner of Laura Hodges Studio. “We chose the decking first, selecting a color that would work well with a white oak floor. For the interiors, we selected a darker floor stain on white oak, and we knew that the Zuri decking was going to live with it in a beautiful way.”

Southern Living Idea House back porch with Zuri decking

The indoor-outdoor connections are strengthened by a cohesiveness in color and texture. “We worked with the architects on the exterior color palette, selecting colors that reflected the landscape and would coordinate with the interior,” Hodges explains. “We carried the stone from the exterior onto the fireplace in the great room, which gives a great sense of continuity to the design.”

In addition, “Zuri was a beautiful and natural-looking complement to the paint colors and the stone finishes,” she says. “The decking color we chose has a warm undertone to it that works so well with the muted greens and grays of the exterior.”

Southern Living Idea House, back porch featuring Zuri Premium Decking

Natural, Sustainable Interiors

Hodges followed similar principles for the interior. “We wanted to make sure the design of the interiors was a reflection of the natural surroundings,” she says. At the same time, “We wanted the house to reflect the lively music and arts scene in Nashville,” which can be seen in the original artwork and locally sourced rugs and vintage furniture.

With a more natural-feeling color palette, Hodges played with stronger textures, including linen, velvet, and leather, and added statement-making light fixtures with graceful silhouettes.

The use of vintage and antique pieces was part of Hodges’ sustainability approach that spans inside to out.

Zuri Premium Decking on the 2023 Southern Living Idea House

“We made intentionally sustainable design choices inside the house,” the designer says. “What’s nice about having the Zuri decking on the outside is the durability and the longevity of the product. Zuri decking feels and looks natural while holding up really well with low maintenance. Hopefully any new homeowners would keep it there even if the house changes hands and that speaks to the idea that good design is sustainable.”

To see how Zuri Premium Decking can help you create the perfect outdoor space, learn more here, try the deck visualizer, or order a sample.

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Project Gallery: Cedar Renditions at Work in Ontario

Cedar Renditions on modern home by Tip Top Exteriors

One glance at Tip Top Exteriors’ Instagram page and it’s clear that owner Joe St. Angelo and his crew are facade experts. Whether cladding a new Modern Farmhouse or replacing aging siding on a traditional split-level, the team’s exteriors deliver eye-catching looks and reliable performance alike. 

Tip Top Exteriors uses a variety of siding materials and profiles in its work, and St. Angelo often turns to Cedar Renditions® siding from Westlake Royal Building Products™ for accents as well as for porch ceilings and soffits.

As an accent, Cedar Renditions provides an easy way to create the multi-textured facades that are currently in high demand. Apply in key detail areas or to bumpouts and other prominent features. In addition, adding vertical or horizontal bands can help avoid the seams brought by long expanses of siding. For porches, Cedar Renditions offers the perfect wood-look accent for a streamlined finish.

Modern and high-end in appearance, Cedar Renditions comes in seven woodgrain colors with a fade-resistant PVDF top coat. The siding is water-resistant, impervious to cold, insect-resistant, durable, and virtually maintenance free.

Cedar Renditions on Homes in Ontario

Along with aesthetics, Tip Top Exteriors relies on Cedar Renditions for its simple installation. Corner posts and J-channels provide starting points, then panels install easily with a drop-in interlock system.

“It’s easy to quote and install. You don’t need to be a carpenter,” St. Angelo says. “While wood is sometimes cheaper, it requires a more skilled install. Cedar Renditions is low maintenance and lasts.”

St. Angelo recommends pre-planning your layout to avoid seams. With porches, he plans for application direction based on which orientation will create the fewest seams and the least waste.

(Watch Tip Top Exteriors install a porch ceiling with Cedar Renditions here.)

In addition, he says, make sure the plane is level. This will ensure that the screws won’t need to be overtightened, which can lead to indents and affect the aesthetic.

Tip Top Exteriors has installed the siding on homes of numerous styles, from traditional to modern. Here are a few recently completed projects:

Niagara Falls, Ontario:
For this project, Tip Top Exteriors installed Westlake Royal Building Products™ Haven® insulated siding in the D5 profile on three sides of the house, then used Cedar Renditions for the porch ceiling, installed perpendicular to eliminate the chance of seams.

Modern Trio, St. Catherine’s, Ontario
For these three spec houses, Cedar Renditions accents helped Tip Top Exteriors achieve the modern look the builder was seeking while still keeping the project on budget.

This home combines blended stone hues with Cedar Renditions 6” siding in Charwood. The dark brown complements the darker grays and taupes in the stone.

The other two homes in the modern trio feature a more muted stone palette with the lighter tones of Cedar Renditions in Cedar Bark. St. Angelo likes the way the lighter tones show the wood grain and complement the dark siding on the sides of the house. 

Cedar Renditions on Tip Top Exteriors modern homes in Ontario

“You can pair Cedar Renditions with anything—stone, fiber cement, and more,” St. Angelo says. “You can use it as the soffit, as the siding, an accent on the porch, or a single accent in center. Add a 2-foot strip and it completely sets the home apart.”

To learn more, see additional projects, and request samples, click here.

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Celect Cellular Composite Siding Offers Low-Maintenance Solution for California Houseboat

Houseboats featuring Celect and Cedar Renditions siding

When it comes to dream homes, you can’t get much more dreamy than a houseboat. And this 840-square-foot houseboat completed last year by Brad Schnoor is no exception.

Located in inland central California east of Modesto, Don Pedro Lake offers 160 miles of shoreline and a host of activities including boating, swimming, and waterskiing. It’s also a popular houseboating spot, with Schnoor’s project one of its most recent remodels.

For his first houseboat project, Schnoor took the home down to its studs, keeping only the original steel frame and pontoons.

Inside is fully modernized with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a great room with kitchen and living room. Outdoor living spaces envelope the home, with a covered porch on the lower level and the top level featuring a fully outfitted outdoor kitchen, bar seating, lounge area, canopy, and ceiling fans.

In creating the exterior, Schnoor did a lot of research into what cladding was the best fit for a home on the water, and he eventually requested a sample of Celect™ Cellular Composite Siding. “I knew there wouldn’t be rot or rust issues,” Schnoor recalls.

Indeed, Celect combines the look of real wood but is engineered to stand up to harsh weather conditions, is low maintenance, and has a fade-resistant Kynar Aquatec® coating. Celect requires no painting or caulking, and its patented interlocking joints keep moisture out so boards stay straight and true.

The houseboat’s entire exterior is clad in 7” Celect clapboard siding and Celect trim, both in Frost. After almost a year on the water, Schnoor reports that he has seen no movement, despite the moisture and the area’s vast temperature swings. “We’re completely happy with how it turned out,” the builder says. “We’re really pleased, and we get lots of questions about it.”

Schnoor says he plans to use Celect for future houseboat and coastal projects based on its performance.

Cedar Renditions 6” Soffit

In addition to Celect siding, Schnoor installed Cedar Renditions™ 6” aluminum soffit, in the Grey Oak color, on the ceiling of both lower- and upper-level outdoor spaces. Cedar Renditions is water-resistant, impervious to cold, insect-proof, and extremely durable while remaining virtually maintenance free.

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Tiny Home Project Supports Pacific Northwest Tribal Veteran

Operation Tiny Home, Celect siding and trim

Operation Tiny Home is a non-profit in Oregon providing affordable, high-quality housing for at-risk populations, including veterans, natural disaster survivors, and young adults aging out of foster care. On April 6, the organization, in partnership with North Sound ACH, handed over the keys of its latest tiny house project to the Lhaq’temish Foundation in support of a Lummi Nation U.S. veteran facing chronic housing instability.

Zack Griffin, co-host of the television series “Tiny House Nation,” joined Operation Tiny Home, North Sound ACH, and the Veterans Administration National Tribal Advisory Committee at the ceremony, which was held at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, Ore. The home’s recipient spoke to supporters and cut the ribbon on her new house. Following the event, the tiny house was transported to its final destination near Bellingham, Washington.  

“Witnessing the joy on the veteran’s face as she received the keys to her new home was truly a moving experience,” Operation Tiny Home noted on its Instagram page. “We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all who made this possible — your efforts have made a real difference in the life of a veteran and her family.”

Tiny House With All the Comforts of Home

The interior of the home will feature two lofts and a full, modern kitchen. Amenities in similar Operation Tiny Home projects have included wood ceilings, mini-split HVAC systems, a large bathroom and shower with bench, and a washer-dryer combo unit.

For the exterior, Westlake Royal Building Products donated 900 square feet of Celect® Cellular Composite 7” Lap siding, in Latte, along with Celect trim in Frost.

Manufactured with cellular PVC, Celect offers the timeless look of real wood yet absorbs a miniscule amount of water, so there’s no need to worry about swelling, cracking, chipping, and degradation. It’s an ideal combination of features for the Pacific Northwest locale, where wood cladding looks are popular but the wet weather can wreak havoc on natural materials. The siding includes a fade-resistant Kynar Aquatec® coating that withstands all weather conditions and climates, and it comes with a 25-year color protection warranty.

It was the perfect backdrop for a joyous ceremony that brought together members of the tribal community, the local community, and the building community. During the event, attendees were invited to fill unfinished interior walls with messages for the new homeowner.

“This is more than just a housewarming; it’s an opportunity to show our love and support for our tribal veterans,” Operation Tiny Home stated. “We’ll be making this house a home by filling the walls with messages of blessings and support! Because who wouldn’t want to live in a home infused with love and positivity?”

To try Celect Cellular Composite siding on your next project, find products in your area or request a sample.

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High-Performance Siding for The House That Blues Built

The House That Blues Built

Fourth-generation custom homebuilder Albert Cummings knows a lot about two very different things: building high-performance homes and performing the blues. Cummings splits his time between his custom home business and his career as a renowned guitar player, and has performed and recorded music with his band and with music legends like Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi, and B.B. King. Naturally, now that he and his wife and business partner Christina Cummings are building their long-planned home in the Berkshires, the couple dubbed it the “The House That Blues Built.”

The 18-acre property includes a pond and views of mountains in Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. “We bought this site for the views, and we’ve been coming just to sit out here and relax for more than a decade,” says Christina. “We’ve been able to position our home for the sunrise and sunset views.”

The two-level post-and-beam style home, designed for relaxing, recharging, and socializing, will include more than 3,400 square feet of living space wrapped on all sides by patios and porches. The walk-out basement is designed as a tribute to music, complete with a dedicated guitar room and a guest suite set up as a place for musicians on the road to regroup and share their creativity.

The upper level will include an open kitchen, a living and dining room with a fireplace, an office, a pantry, and a family entrance with closets, storage, and powder room. The primary suite wing, which is adjacent to the laundry room, will include a bedroom, walk-in closet, and luxury bathroom.

In addition, the Cummings are dedicated to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint, so the house is designed to meet high levels of energy and water efficiency.  

“We’re eager to show how companies and products can work together to meet stringent stretch code requirements,” Albert explained. “The HERS rating must be 55, which we were able to reach based on the estimated performance of the insulation, windows, and air exchange systems. Once we included the components we plan to include in house, we were able to get to a HERS rating of 45.”  

The House That Blues Built, TruExterior Siding
The House That Blues Built, under construction in the Berkshire Mountains.

Siding That Stands the Test of Time

One of the easiest decisions the couple made was about the home’s exterior, for which they selected TruExterior® siding from Westlake Royal Building Products.

“We’ve used TruExterior for ages,” Albert said. “It’s always been our go-to material because it is highly durable and holds up in any kind of weather.”

TruExterior, a poly-ash siding product made with at least 70% recycled material, works well in any climate or environment. Since the product is moisture-resistant, it works particularly well in rainy regions or areas with high humidity.

“TruExterior is as close as you can get to working with regular wood, but without the moisture concerns and associated maintenance,” Albert explained. “It looks and feels like real wood, but it provides a better defense against the elements.”

The Cummings sometimes see golf ball-size hail in the Berkshire Mountains, Albert said, and trust this product to protect their home. TruExterior is less prone to damage from freezing rain, snow, and freeze/thaw. The composition of TruExterior makes it resistant to rot, so it can be installed all the way to grade. The product is also insect resistant.

In addition, TruExterior is easy to paint and comes in numerous styles that match historic and modern homes. “We knew we wanted this for our house right away because it has so many different kinds of trims that allow us to be creative,” said Christina. “Because this is a typical Farmhouse style, we’ll probably paint it white with different accent tones.”

TruExterior can be installed with commonly available woodworking tools and methods.

“The siding and trim can be planed, sanded, cut, milled, and glued, so you can completely customize it,” Albert said.

Easy installation, low maintenance, customization, and high performance meet the high standards the Cummings have for the House That Blues Built.

This article was written by and originally appeared on the Professional Builder website. Learn more about the House that Blues Built here.

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Stone Siding Provides Varied Streetscapes in Albany

Versetta Stone on Hodorowski Homes project

At the Legends Preserve of Bethlehem in Bethlehem, N.Y., residents can enjoy walking trails, picnic spaces, and just a short five-minute commute to the state’s capital, Albany. They also benefit from eye-catching, varied streetscapes across the community’s cottages and townhomes, with on-trend facades showcasing multiple materials, profiles, and colors.

The curb appeal comes in part from the addition of stone to the façade: Hodorowski Homes uses Versetta Stone panelized stone siding in a variety of ways to add texture and interest to its homes in Bethlehem and its other communities, says Vice President Kristan Hodorowski. These include half walls, gables, and bumpouts.

The builder switched from traditional stone veneer to stone siding about five years ago and now offers it as a standard exterior feature for every residential project. “It dresses up our houses,” Hodorowski says. “It speaks of longevity to me.”

In addition, Hodorowski notes that one of the reasons the builder relies on Versetta Stone is its panelized installation, which requires just screws or nails but no lath or mortar. This means it can be installed well into upstate New York’s cold winter season without requiring tenting and heaters. “The product is easy to install,” she says. “I have my siding installer put it up; I’ve had carpenters install it as well.”

At the Legends Preserve, home buyers can choose their stone colors—which include Terra Rosa, Sterling, Sand, Mission Point, Plum Creek, and Northern Ash—with enough options to provide plenty of choice but not too much to overwhelm.

“We’re very happy with it,” Hodorowski notes. “We’ve never had any service issues, we’ve never had any customer complaints, and I think our homes look wonderful clad in it.”

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Westlake Royal Building Products Celebrates 300th Home with Habitat for Humanity 

Together with Habitat for Humanity – MidOhio, Westlake Royal Building Products recently celebrated a historic milestone with the dedication of the 300th home to feature the company’s donated siding and trim materials in the Ohio region. On Thursday, Sept. 15, the three-bedroom, two-bath single family home was dedicated and keys were turned over to the partner family in the South Linden neighborhood of Columbus.

Habitat for Humanity MidOhio home dedication

The dedication of this house marks the 300th siding donation that Westlake Royal has made to Habitat for Humanity – MidOhio over the last 20 years. For this home, Westlake Royal donated 20 squares of siding, including Exterior Portfolio® Vinyl Siding and Portsmouth™ Shake & Shingles Siding, as well as Royal® Shutters, Mounts and Vents accessories. Westlake Royal’s Columbus-based employees also donated their time and skills to help with installing the building products during the construction of the home this summer. 

Installing siding on a Habitat for Humanity MidOhio home.

“Amid inflation and rising costs, the need for affordable housing today is greater than it’s ever been. Westlake Royal is proud to be part of the solution in donating building products for good quality, single-family homes,” said Steve Booz, VP of Marketing & Product Management, Westlake Royal Building Products. “Our partnership with Habitat MidOhio dates back through several company name changes and decades, but our commitment to this organization and the community of Columbus remains unchanged.” 

“When we invest in housing, we invest in the future of the entire community. Thanks to the contributions of Westlake Royal, Habitat MidOhio has brought the dream of homeownership to 300 families,” said E.J. Thomas, President and CEO, Habitat MidOhio. “We are grateful for the generous support of our donors and volunteers, and look forward to continuing our work of providing quality, affordable housing to our family partners.” 

In January 2021, Habitat MidOhio celebrated the dedication of its 1,000th home. The organization works to bring people together to inspire hope, build homes, empower families, and develop communities. For the past 35 years, Habitat MidOhio has served families through new home builds/rehabs (437), owner-occupied home repairs (350), and tithe support to its sister affiliates in Africa (331).