Exterior Elements That are Made to Last

There are many factors to consider when choosing pieces for your home’s exterior, from aesthetics and energy efficiency to maintenance and cost. Quality, however, is arguably the most important point. Exceptional materials and installation will ensure that the outside of your abode is sturdy and safe, providing a comfortable place for you and your ohana for years to come. Local experts weigh in with their tips on picking the best paint, pool materials and stonework.

Paint
When it comes to painting the outside of your home, the crew at Hardware Hawaii suggests Valspar’s Medallion Plus line. This premium exterior paint and primer collection offers eggshell, flat, satin and semi-gloss sheens for all seasons and environments, and its flexible finish resists cracking and peeling.

The paint also boasts Rain Ready® technology, which guards against runs, blisters and water marks and sets in less than two hours. And its 100% acrylic formula makes for easy cleanup and a mold- and mildew-resistant finish — perfect for Hawaii’s humidity.

Valspar Medallion Plus is also GreenGuard Gold Certified, which means it meets some of the strictest industry standards for chemical and volatile organic compound emissions. A product receives that certification only after undergoing a comprehensive and exhaustive process aimed at protecting the health and well-being of the most vulnerable, particularly keiki.

Photo: Courtesy of Bella Pietra Design

Stonework
“One of the biggest things to consider when selecting exterior floors is slip resistance,” says Meagan Jensen of Bella Pietra Design. She explains that water can be a problem for home exteriors, whether it’s from pools, rain or proximity to the ocean, and for exterior floors “you want to make sure you pick something with some texture.” She says stonework with grout joints, like a pebble mosaic, offer the slip resistance needed to keep everyone safe.

Jensen adds that when stone is less dense, it is also less likely to stain; it wears more slowly over time, too. She suggests basalt or lava stone for Island homes. “It is easy to maintain,” she says. “It is also offered in a variety of finishes, which all have different textures.”

For an essentially zero-maintenance option, Jensen says porcelain is the way to go. Available in both light and dark options, it is also stain- and scratch-resistant.

Photo: David Croxford

Pools
Clifton Crawford of Pacific Pool & Spa agrees that natural stone or porcelain are good options for backyards and decks surrounding pools. As for materials within the pool itself, “You want to pick materials that cannot be deteriorated by the sunshine, or rain or pH,” he says. The ideal tile, Crawford adds, is durable and acid- and frost-proof.

He says that setting materials are just as important as the tile or stone that homeowners will look at every day. “You want to make sure that the setting materials and the products are approved by the manufacturer.” The average person probably wouldn’t know the ins and outs of which materials go together, he says, so “it’s really important to hire a proper contractor who knows the difference and knows the materials.”

Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.