Exterior wall coverings for aesthetic

[Gardenboy]

Hello everyone!

I have seen some amazing wall designs on exterior of houses. I am interested in adding something to my home for aesthetic purpose only. I have seen marbles and textured walls but I believe that would require a huge budget. Can I apply wall covering in some part of my exterior walls? Can they handle the heat and cold that exterior wall have to face?

[FatimaandAhmed]

Hi Gardenboy!

Let me help you understand your options for making your exterior walls look great without breaking the bank!

While marble and textured walls look amazing, they can definitely be expensive. Regular wall coverings like wallpaper unfortunately won't work well on exterior walls - they just aren't made to handle rain, sun, and changing temperatures. They'd likely start peeling or fading pretty quickly, and that would be really frustrating after putting in the effort to install them.

But don't worry! There are some really nice alternatives that can give you that aesthetic appeal you're looking for. Exterior wall cladding is a great option - it's specifically made for outdoor use and comes in lots of different styles and textures. It's much more affordable than marble and actually helps with insulation too. Another budget-friendly option is using textured paint finishes. With special rollers or spray techniques, you can create some beautiful effects that will hold up to the weather.

If you like the look of stone, you might want to consider stone veneer. It gives you that high-end stone appearance but costs way less than real stone and is much easier to install. There are also some modern-looking decorative exterior wall panels that are specifically made to handle outdoor conditions.

What kind of weather does your area typically experience? Some materials might work better than others depending on your climate.

[Gardenboy]

What kind of weather does your area typically experience? Some materials might work better than others depending on your climate.

Summers are hot and can reach as high as 50°C (122°F). Winters are much milder and relatively short. There is some rainfall, though it's generally limited.

[FatimaandAhmed]

Looking at your climate with those extreme temperatures reaching 50°C in summer, you'll absolutely need a specialized paint that can handle intense heat and UV exposure. For your situation, I'd strongly recommend going with a premium elastomeric acrylic paint. It's honestly your best choice here because it creates a thick, flexible coating that can stretch and contract with the dramatic temperature changes between your hot summers and mild winters.

I'd recommend sticking to lighter shades like beige, light gray, or off-white. These colors reflect more heat than darker ones, which can make a noticeable difference in how well the paint holds up over time and even help a bit with keeping your home cooler. The limited rainfall in your area is actually a plus, as moisture isn't going to be a major concern, but these paints are still well-equipped to handle those occasional rain showers.

For the best results, try to do your painting during the cooler months or very early in the morning during summer. The extreme heat can affect how the paint cures, and painting in intense heat might compromise the finish.

[Gardenboy]

Is there any other option apart from paint that is also budget-friendly?

[FatimaandAhmed]

Consider exterior cladding or siding panels made from materials like fiber cement or vinyl. These panels come in a variety of colors and textures, giving a clean, polished look without the upkeep that paint requires. They’re durable against intense heat and UV rays, so they’ll keep looking good even through those 50°C summers.

Another option could be using masonry sealers on concrete or brick walls. These don’t alter the color too much, but they give a subtle sheen while protecting against sun and heat damage. Plus, they can help keep your walls cool. If you like the natural look, this might be a great choice.