Understanding the Difference Between a Bentsen Palm Home Brick or Stucco Exterior

The exterior of your new Rio Grande Valley home in Bentsen Palm should reflect your personal style and meet your lifestyle needs as much as the interior.  Each of the homes in Bentsen Palm family new home community are designed with exceptional building materials and that includes the options for exteriors.  You’ll find a range of brick and stucco options to choose from.  How do you decide which is right for you? Bentsen Palm explains the differences and what to consider when choosing the exterior of your new home.

One thing to consider is maintenance.  Both stucco and brick require little maintenance and will weather the Texas heat well.  Some dust and debris may collect on either and you may wish to power wash every few years to restore the masonry to its natural color.

If cost is a factor than you’ll want to weigh the differences. All the brick or stone options are considered veneer siding not actual full stones or brick and vary in pricing. Brick is less costly than stucco, and natural stone is more expensive than both.  You may want to do a combination of stucco and natural stone for a less costly, but beautifully designed exterior.

The real difference in both are in the performance of the materials.  Brick and stone are installed as a veneer with an air gap (minimum 1 inch) between the back of the material and the sheathing attached to the exterior of the house. Both brick and stone are porous, which means water can be absorbed, which is the reason for the air gap, which allows water to drain down the back of the wall and not become trapped.  Stucco is applied directly to the exterior sheathing of the house, which has a moisture barrier and cement coating applied before the stucco is applied to create a waterproof barrier.

Both exteriors perform well in Rio Grande Valley Bentsen Palm new homes. Stucco is considered very energy efficient and can last up to 50 years or more.  Brick with a little maintenance can last up to 100 years or more.

Finally, the real decision comes down to style and preference.  If you love the classic look than a brick exterior is likely the right choice for your family.  Or if you prefer the southwest-style than a stucco exterior is the perfect finish.

View the available new homes and neighborhoods to inspire your Bentsen Palm new home exterior design.