Masonry Magazine August 2005 Page. 37
ALL THE ATTRIBUTES THAT MADE BRICK POPULAR
Thousands of years ago are the same qualities that keep people choosing this classic, durable and elegant building material for their homes today. According to surveys from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), brick homes are preferred by 60% of American homebuyers. Focus group research by the South Western Brick Institute indicates that this strong preference for brick will continue. Builders predict that brick will remain the leading exterior finish material in mid- to higher-end homes.
Innovative design, durable products and high-quality craftsmanship are at the heart of homeowner satisfaction. Also, according to the NAHB surveys, consumers want to personalize their homes and live in neighborhoods with a mix of styles and prices. In the hands of talented masons and creative architects, colored masonry is a cost-effective strategy for creating the exact effects that buyers want and allowing builders to effectively differentiate their homes from competitive offerings. The difference is often enough to increase the perceived market value of a home and tip the scales toward a sale.
Debbie Naftel, Sales Manager at John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods in Atlanta, often talks to prospective buyers who have driven through one of her communities and a competitor's development. "They know there's something different about the two," she says, "but they haven't a clue as to what the difference is."
The difference between the neighborhoods is that Wieland communities use various shades of colored masonry in their homes. "We strive to have variety in our communities," Naftel says. "We vary the brick and the color of the mortar from house to house. It makes our streetscapes more compelling."
Keith Rogers, a builder of custom homes in the Winston-Salem, N.C., area, also uses colored masonry to achieve ly finished buff colored mortar, combined with weathered brick, creates a warm, orting look.
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TROW & HOLDEN MASONRY SET
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45 South Main Street Barre Vermont 05641
Toll-Free 1-800-451-4349 In Vermont call 476-7221
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August 2005
Masonry 35