Choose your materials with confidence

The barndominium standard

Welded steel

Welded steel is the go-to for the modern Texas barndominium, allowing for the massive great rooms so many families want.

Structure

Heavy structural steel for the shell and cold-formed steel studs for interior partitions.

Durability

Resistant to rot, mold and termites, keeping the frame straight and stable for decades.

Design note

Large spans often require 3x12 steel beams, which may stick out from standard wall or ceiling depths.

YDB pro tipDon't fight the steel. Feature it! If your 3x12 beams stick out, we can leave them exposed and paint them for a modern industrial look, or wrap them in cedar for a rustic farmhouse beam.

The traditional path

Over-framed wood

This is the most common residential building method in Austin, using familiar materials and labor.

Ease of build

Standard stick framing is highly adaptable, so on-site changes are easier than with steel or concrete.

Aesthetics

Wood framing fits within standard wall cavities, so your interior finishes are completely flush.

Cost

Generally the lowest upfront price for homeowners.

YDB pro tipWood is more exposed to the elements, so we can over-build your traditional frame with advanced moisture barriers and zinc-treated plates to close much of the longevity gap between wood and steel.

The forever-home choice

Elemental ICF

Elemental ICF (insulated concrete forms) creates a home that is essentially a reinforced concrete fortress.

Fire

ICF walls are highly fire-resistant, with fire-resistance ratings of 4 hours or more, for real peace of mind.

Efficiency

The thermal mass of the concrete plus foam insulation on both sides can cut energy bills dramatically, by as much as 50–60%.

Foundation

Requires a Type A (concrete wall) foundation to support the heavy concrete core.

YDB pro tipICF walls are typically 12 inches thick or more. Use that to your advantage with deep-set, European-style window sills, a high-end architectural look and a perfect spot for plants or a reading nook.

The gold standard for durability

24-gauge standing seam metal

Because the fasteners are concealed, they're protected from the elements, preventing the leaks common with exposed-fastener metal roofs.

Longevity

Can easily last 50 to 70 years with minimal maintenance.

Fire rating

Naturally Class A, the highest protection against wildfires and flying embers.

Wind rating

Excellent. Panels are mechanically seamed or snapped together and locked to the deck, and often withstand winds up to 180 MPH.

Warranty

Usually two parts: a 30–35 year finish warranty against fading and chalking of the Kynar 500 paint, and a weathertight warranty when installed by a certified contractor.

The most common choice

Architectural (laminate) shingles

A fiberglass mat embedded in asphalt and topped with ceramic granules.

Longevity

Rated for 30+ years, but in hot climates like Austin they're usually replaced at 20–25 years due to UV wear.

Fire rating

Class A, provided the underlayment is installed correctly.

Wind rating

Most high-quality architectural shingles are rated for 110–130 MPH, though they rely heavily on the adhesive seal strip.

Warranty

Often marketed as "limited lifetime," but this usually covers manufacturing defects and is heavily prorated after the first 10 years.

Clay or concrete

Tile roofing

Tile is very heavy and needs a reinforced roof structure, but it's nearly impervious to rot and insects.

Longevity

The tiles themselves commonly last 75–100 years. The underlayment beneath usually fails after about 30 years and must be replaced (a "lift and reset").

Fire rating

Class A, one of the most fire-resistant materials available.

Wind rating

Very high thanks to the weight, typically rated for 125 MPH+. In extreme gusts, individual tiles can lift if not properly clipped.

Warranty

Most manufacturers offer a 50-year to lifetime limited warranty on the product itself.

The all-rounder

James Hardie board and batten

Fiber cement in the board-and-batten style uses HardiePanel vertical siding with HardieTrim batten strips.

Longevity

30–50 years. Pest-resistant and won't rot, though it needs repainting every 10–15 years unless you choose ColorPlus.

Colors

ColorPlus Technology (factory-baked colors) or primed for paint for full customization. Hardie's Statement Collection covers the most popular regional colors: grays, navy and off-whites.

Design

The modern farmhouse staple. Wide or narrow batten spacing can change the scale and feel of the whole home.

Warranty

30-year limited, non-prorated substrate warranty, plus a 15-year ColorPlus finish warranty against peeling or cracking.

Modern and industrial

Steel siding

Often seen on high-end modern homes in East Austin and industrial-chic builds. Far more durable than aluminum or vinyl.

Longevity

40–70 years. Steel is nearly indestructible against fire and hail.

Colors

Kynar 500 or silicone-modified polyester coatings with colors that hold up to the Texas sun. Textures range from smooth to wood-grain embossed.

Design

Ideal for modern, Scandinavian and contemporary designs. Profiles include box rib, flush panel and corrugated.

Warranty

Most manufacturers (such as EDCO or Bridger Steel) offer a lifetime limited warranty with a 30- to 50-year fade and chalk warranty.

Traditional 3-coat

Stucco

A classic in Austin's luxury market, with a seamless, monolithic look other sidings can't match.

Longevity

50–80 years when properly maintained.

Colors

Unlimited. Pigment is usually mixed into the finish coat (integral color), so scratches don't show as easily, and it can be painted later.

Design

Essential for Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean and ultra-modern styles, including curved walls and details boards can't achieve.

Warranty

Typically a 10- to 25-year material warranty, but the real warranty is the installer's 1–2 year workmanship warranty. Stucco's success depends mostly on the applicator.

Manufactured or natural veneer

Stone

In Central Texas, Austin limestone and ledge stone are a signature look.

Longevity

Natural stone lasts a lifetime (100+ years). Manufactured, concrete-based stone typically lasts 30–50 years.

Colors

Natural stone is limited to what's quarried (whites, creams, tans). Manufactured stone offers a huge range of colors and blends.

Design

Used for Texas Hill Country, transitional and Craftsman styles, often as a wainscot (the bottom 3–4 feet of the wall) or on entries and chimneys.

Warranty

Manufactured stone usually carries a 20- to 50-year warranty. Natural stone rarely has a formal warranty but is considered a permanent material.

e.g. Pella Impervia or Marvin Elevate

Fiberglass

Quickly becoming the preferred choice for custom builders, because fiberglass expands and contracts at nearly the same rate as the glass, reducing seal failures.

Cost

20–30% more than high-end vinyl.

Longevity

35–50 years. Virtually impervious to the Austin sun, and won't rot or warp.

Style

Very strong, allowing thinner frames and more glass. Often finished in factory powders that mimic painted wood.

Warranty

Typically 20 years on glass and 20 years on frame and hardware.

Thermal break

Aluminum

A staple of Texas modern architecture. Make sure they have a thermal break, an insulator between the inside and outside frame that stops heat transfer into the house.

Cost

Mid-range. More than vinyl, often less than premium fiberglass or wood-clad.

Longevity

30–45 years. Highly impact-resistant and very easy to maintain.

Style

Extremely thin profiles, perfect for modern, industrial and contemporary minimalist designs.

Warranty

Generally 10–20 years. Anodized or painted finishes are very durable but can be affected by salt air near the coast.

The luxury choice

Wood-clad

Real wood on the interior for warmth and beauty, with an aluminum or fiberglass cladding outside for weather protection.

Cost

The most expensive, with high material and labor costs.

Longevity

30–50 years if the exterior cladding is maintained. If the cladding fails and moisture reaches the wood, it can rot.

Style

Luxury, Spanish Mediterranean and traditional homes. Nothing matches the warmth of real stained wood inside a custom home.

Warranty

Usually 20 years on the glass seal and 10 years on the wood components.

Three ways to insulate

The right insulation depends on your budget, your climate and how you'll use the home. Here's how the three most common options compare.

Done right before the drywall goes up

Electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling are roughed in while the walls are open, then permitted and inspected before anything is covered.

Electrical

Outlets, lighting and panel planned with you room by room, including where your TVs, chargers and workshop tools will go.

Plumbing

Ask us about tankless water heaters and hot-water recirculation so hot water reaches far bathrooms faster.

HVAC

Ask us about high-efficiency systems, zoning and return-air layouts for even temperatures in every room.

Painted shaker or stained wood

White shaker

Bright, timeless and durable painted finish. Our standard cost option.

Stained pine

Warm natural wood grain with a traditional feel and a premium stained finish. Needs extra labor and materials, at roughly 25% over the base cost.

This is why we love construction

Our owner started as a finish carpenter and is driven by high trim standards. Stained tongue-and-groove ceilings, built-ins, cedar-wrapped beams and barn doors are where that shows.