Home exterior or elevation design may look like a simple, straightforward task, but there is actually a lot going on behind the scenes that determine the kind of materials, formation and aesthetics of a house. You cannot simply point at a certain material that catches your eye and call it a day. There are a lot of other aspects – both functional and visual – to be considered before you’re done with the design. Materials for home exterior design in Saudi Arabia are even more challenging to decide. This is mostly because of the climatic and indigenous facets to be considered during the whole process.
So further, we’ll be sharing some major materials that are climatically and contextually relevant for designing the exterior of a Saudi home.
6 popular materials for home exterior design in Saudi Arabia
1. Brick
Brick is the vernacular material in Saudi Arabia. Almost all homes are constructed from the foundation up with bricks. It’s the Big Daddy of all materials for home exterior design in Saudi Arabia – mostly because it comprises the external as well as internal walls of any home. The brick-and-mortar way of construction is a longstanding tradition that has become indigenous to the Saudi home design context over the years.
Brick is a great choice to counter the harsh heat of that particular region. You can even go for alternative construction techniques such as cavity walls to maximize the efficiency of the brick construction. Of course the brick exterior has to be layered with plaster and other aesthetically pleasant materials to get a truly finished look. But at the end of the day, it’s the brick that makes up the skeleton of the exterior.
2. Low E Glass
Glass has a naturally contemporary look that complements any style of exterior design. Saudi homes are definitely no exception. But since the climatic conditions of that area are harsh, using regular glass can end up evoking the ‘Glass House Effect’ inside the home. This can result in stifling heat inside the interiors. Therefore, one of the most relevant materials for home exterior design in Saudi Arabia is Low-E Glass.
This is basically a specialized glass that has low ‘emissivity.’ This means that it has a microscopic transparent film that can reflect heat. This kind of a glass can help you get the desired look for your home elevation without having to compromise on the pragmatic aspects of the design. The reflectivity of this glass will also allow you to keep the interiors cool, so you can even go for tall windows or full-height glass curtain walls for your homes
3. Travertine Stone
Travertine stone is definitely easy on the eyes and is able to emulate a classic Saudi aesthetic that seems very appealing to the country’s residents. It has a rough, sedimentary texture that looks very attractive when clad on the exterior of any home. It is also very durable and long lasting and holds its own against the harsh Saudi sun. Travertine is aesthetically pleasing as well. Its texture provides a visual dissonance that can look very alluring with the proper lighting accents. If you’re looking for a beautifully accented product for your home exterior design in Saudi Arabia, Travertine would be the perfect choice for you.
4. Tiles and Mosaics
Tiles are an evergreen and ever fashionable exterior design product, not just in Saudi Arabia, but also all over the world. There are so many sizes and textures available that it can be hard to make the relevant aesthetical choice, but your design consultant can definitely guide you right. The best part about using tiles in any home exterior design in Saudi Arabia is that they can be cut into customized pattern. These patterns can be designed in any and all fashions, especially Islamic geometric designs that can make a Saudi home look relevant to is context.
Similar is the case with mosaics. They can be arranged to suit the right aesthetic that can suit the vernacular aesthetic of Saudi Arabia. Mosaics can also be used to introduce a subtle splash of color in the overall exterior design.
5. Stucco and Paint
Stucco is basically a fine plaster that is used to plaster exterior walls and create architectural moldings. It is applied wet, but it hardens into a very dense, solid state quickly. You can even use it in a sculptural or artistic capacity for a home exterior design in Saudi Arabia. Stucco is durable and long-lasting. It needs very little maintenance and does not need to be regularly touched up at all. It’s a popular finish in the KSA area and offers a very indigenous appeal for homeowners in the area.
Paint, on the other hand is also a great choice. From emulsion to enamel and everything in between, paint can be a fashionable and pragmatic choice of finishing material for a Saudi home exterior. White paint is especially very beneficial, as it has the ability to reflect off some of the heat and keep the interiors cool.
6. Wood Plastic Composites
Wood Plastic Composites – better known as WPC’s – are a great way to introduce a wooden aesthetic to your home exteriors without actually investing in expensive hard wood. It can also double as insulation and keep the exterior walls safe from unprecedented termite attacks. WPC’s can also keep your walls safe from the capillary action that can saturate your walls in microscopic beads of water after construction.
It has the ability to emulate the look of true wood, but is actually a modern composite with all the added benefits. So if you’re looking for an alternative to wood for your home exterior design in Saudi Arabia that is also functionally relevant to your exterior design, WPC should be your first choice.
CAS has designed many homes and villas in Saudi Arabia, and are experts at selecting the right materials to capture the right visuals. We hope this list helps you get the hang of some of the major exterior finish materials used in the area and how you can benefit from them.
