Trade High-end Finishes for Low Cost, More Durable Materials

You’ll never know the difference.

Every time I watch House Hunters on HGTV, the clients always ask for high-end finishes—granite counter tops, wood floors, etc.

But those things cost a pretty penny.

Or—maybe—they don’t.

What if you could have it all?

Now there are more durable and not-so-expensive options available like quartz counter tops vs. granite.

“It’s a compelling one-two punch for selling,” says Lake Forest, Ill., realtor Carol Russ. “The traditional looks draw buyers in, and then I tell them that they’re actually seeing new, super-durable materials.”

You would never know the difference.

Try these on for size:

Fiber-cement siding vs. Wood

According to CNN Money, these clapboards and shingles are cut from sheets of special, slightly flexible cement mixed with wood fibers meaning they won’t rot, warp or cup.

The pieces are typically painted in a factory and then nailed one by one onto your house, just like the real thing.

You’d have to repaint wood every five to seven years, but with factory paint, you only need to repaint every seven to 10 years.

PVC Trim vs. Wood

Made from the plastic used for plumbing drains, with air added while the material is molten for wood like density, PVC trim looks completely natural—and your contractor can cut, shape and install the boards just like lumber, according to the article.

Painting it can make it look more realistic, but unlike wood which you will need to repaint every five to seven years, you only need to touch up PVC trim every 25 years.

Counter top Showdown: Quartz vs. Granite

Today’s quartz counter tops are even better than they were a few years ago.

Made from chips of natural quartz mixed with high-tech resins and pigments, these counter tops have a hyper-realistic veining and come in virtually any color.

You only need to sponge clean quartz. Granite requires an annual sealing.

And unlike granite, quartz won’t stain from dark liquids, etch from acids like orange juice or chip if an edge gets hit by a heavy jar. And it lasts forever. Seriously. It will probably outlast your entire house.

Vinyl Fencing vs. Wood

Every girl wants a white picket fence, but going with wood means endless repainting. Solid vinyl, a product made from the same cellular PVC used for trim, but with factory-applied paint is a much better option.

Fiberglass Front Door vs. Wood

Fiberglass front doors are made of thin, waterproof fiberglass skins embossed to look as if they have traditional panels, moldings and wood grain. They also have an insulating foam inside that’s three times as energy-efficient as wood.

I know it seems like we’re picking on wood here, but it’s just so darn expensive!

These tips will help you save time and money. Let us know if you have any other tips for sprucing up your home with low cost fixtures made to look like high-end finishes.