Smart Material Choices for Homeowners Who Want Style Without the Upkeep

Want a home that looks incredible year-round without spending your weekends fixing things?

Who wouldn't want a trendy, contemporary home? Traditional building materials mean a list of maintenance duties:

• Sanding and staining
• Constant repainting
• Rot, warping, and repairs

Here's the truth:

The materials you select for your outdoor living space (and home) can save you time... Or they can take it from you every weekend. And one material has emerged as the undercover favourite of smart homeowners who want attractive outdoor spaces with minimal upkeep.

That material?

Grey composite decking. According to Google Trends, searches for grey decking have even risen by 36% year on year.

Below you'll find the smartest low-maintenance material choices worth knowing about.

Here's What's Ahead:

• Why Material Choice Really Matters
• Grey Composite Decking: The Star of Smart Outdoor Design
• Other Low-Maintenance Materials Worth Considering
• How to Pick the Right Shade of Grey
• Getting Real Value From Smart Material Choices

Why Material Choice Really Matters

Functionality is just as important as style when it comes to choosing materials for a home. They determine how much time (and money) is spent maintaining the property.

Think about it...

Timber decking requires sanding and oiling. Painted walls will need touching up. Wooden cladding will rot. Even upscale stone can crack, stain and shift over time.

That's a lot of ongoing work for something that's supposed to be enjoyable.

Smart homeowners are now choosing modern materials that combine three things:

• Style -- the look they want
• Durability -- the material lasts for years
• Low maintenance -- little effort to keep clean

Outdoor spaces are where this trend couldn't be more clear. And that brings us to the material of the moment…

Grey Composite Decking: The Star of Smart Outdoor Design

Grey composite decking has slowly become the most popular decking material asked for by homeowners. Here's why.

Here's how it works:

Composite boards consist of recycled wood fibres and plastic. Combined these give you the beauty of wood… Without the downside of rot, splinters or fading.

You get the best of both worlds:

• The look of wood -- with realistic grain and texture
• The toughness of plastic -- so it lasts for years

Which is why quality grey composite decking is fast becoming the preferred choice of homeowners up and down the country. Grey is neutral-toned, stylish and complements almost any garden style. Whether the setting is a simple courtyard or a rustic country garden.

Decking in the UK market is currently valued at £174m at manufacturers prices, and grey composite is one of the key growth drivers.

Even better?

The majority of good quality composite boards are warranted for 20-25 years. Try getting timber to give you that warranty.

Other Low-Maintenance Materials Worth Considering

Grey composite decking steals the show. However there are a couple of other clever material selections that complement it well and continue the low maintenance vibe.

Composite Fencing

Wood fencing panels warp, rot and fall apart in high winds. Composite fencing takes care of all that with one solution. Same tech as the decking, same easy care lifespan.

Anthracite Aluminium

Anthracite grey aluminium window frames, gates and gutters are really trendy right now. They go really well with grey composite decking and they don't require painting.

Porcelain Pavers

If a patio isn't appropriate for decking then modern alternatives to stone are porcelain pavers. They:

• Don't stain
• Don't crack easily
• Don't need sealing every year
• Look fresh for decades

uPVC Cladding

For the house itself, uPVC cladding in crisp modern greys and off-whites gives that sleek modern look. Not to mention no need to repaint every 5 years.

Notice a pattern?

Whether considering smart materials or not, the same mantra continues. It should look great, perform as desired and require minimum maintenance. Simplistic for today.

How to Pick the Right Shade of Grey

Grey composite decking has a lot to consider since it's pulling so much weight. There are several different tones to choose from that all vibe differently.

Light Grey

Light grey (sometimes referred to as stone or silver) is muted and breezy. It pairs exceptionally well with:

• Small gardens (makes the space feel bigger)
• Coastal-style designs
• Minimalist courtyards

Lighter colours reflect heat as well, which helps keep the deck cooler on those hot summer days.

Mid Grey

Mid grey is probably the most popular. It's neutral enough to match with pretty much any furniture or planting scheme. If a homeowner isn't sure what colour to go with... Go with mid grey.

Charcoal Grey

Charcoal (aka anthracite) grey is dramatic and makes a statement. It looks stunning with white rendered walls, black metal balustrading and contemporary outdoor furniture. Ideal for anyone after a large impact modern look.

The most important thing is choosing a colour to suit the property. A traditional cottage may suit a lighter warmer grey... Whereas a sleek new build could suit darker charcoals.

Getting Real Value From Smart Material Choices

Here's something plenty of homeowners overlook.

Smart materials aren't just about convenience and everyday time savings. They add real value to a property when it comes time to sell.

Modern low-maintenance materials are especially valuable because:

• They look premium -- buyers see a modern, high-end finish
• They're low maintenance -- buyers love not having to do the work
• They have long lifespans -- buyers know they won't need replacing soon
• They're timeless -- the finish won't feel dated in a few years

Pretty sweet for those concerned with resale value in the coming years.

One quick tip:

Installation is as important as material selection. The highest quality boards or panels installed poorly will look unkempt. Make sure you hire an experienced installer familiar with the material.

Something else to keep in mind... Details count. Coordinating fascia trim, corner pieces, and edges really goes a long way to giving the project a finished look.

Bringing It All Together

Smart material selections allow homeowners to have it all -- great looks without endless maintenance. Here's a quick review of the winnings:

• Grey composite decking -- the star material for stylish, low-maintenance outdoor space
• Composite fencing -- no rot, no warping, no repainting
• Anthracite aluminium -- perfect pairing that never needs painting
• Porcelain pavers -- stain-free, crack-resistant, low-fuss patios
• uPVC cladding -- clean, contemporary house finish

Busy homeowners who desire that sleek, modern finish without sacrificing their weekends have turned to these products for a reason. They provide the aesthetic appeal of conventional finishes... Without the hassle.

What's best is that after installation there is really nothing else to worry about. Sit back, enjoy the home and let the materials do the work.

Related articles from FINE Magazine:

• Easy Ways to Transform Your Patio with Backyard String Lights
• Smart Home Automation: The Upgrades Homeowners Actually Want Now
• How to Take Care of the Exterior of Your Home