Look around at the newest multifamily projects and you’ll notice one thing is clear: Contemporary design rules, especially among today’s hard-to-please millennials. For owners of older building stock, it can be hard to stand out in this modern crowd without expensive renovations. But even the oldest buildings can take advantage of inexpensive methods to up curb appeal—and command higher rents.
That’s because manufacturers now offer a variety of façade updates that are designed to cost less. For example, the look of natural wood is a popular trend in today’s multifamily environment, according to architects. But natural wood can be expensive and hard to maintain.
Fortunately, many low-cost, easier-to-maintain materials now replicate the look of natural wood, including aluminum siding, concrete panels, fiber-cement board, and porcelain tile in large formats and uncommon sizes. Mixing these “wood” products with board-formed concrete panels or paneling systems is another way to create a modern look on a budget.
But no matter the type of siding used in the update, trim can make all the difference. And when it comes to contemporary design, it’s all about metal trim. In fact, architects say one of the top design trends is using metal trim to create playful patterns and geometric shapes with contrasting colors.
In the past, achieving this look would have meant going to a metal fabricator for custom-made trim pieces. But today’s manufacturers are making it easy to achieve this look inexpensively with off-the-shelf options that look custom made.
The latest extruded-aluminum trim comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, including unusual ones. Because the trim is aluminum, it’s sustainable, durable, noncombustible, lightweight, and easy to maintain. And manufacturers offer it in thousands of designs and colors, including pre-primed, color-matched, and anodized.
Used strategically, these trim pieces can dramatically improve an apartment building’s aesthetics, with their sleek, modern, architectural lines. Many multifamily property owners use different sizes of trim to create even more drama and interest. For example, 4-inch trim pieces can be mated with 2-inch pieces to create different shadow lines and contemporary square edges.
Choosing a manufacturer that offers an extensive variety of trim can also keep renovation costs down. That’s because these trim systems are designed to work together, thereby reducing construction problems and related expenses. Using trim from the same maker also means there’ll be no surprises when it comes to installing or painting the product.
Some manufacturers even design their trim to be used on both exterior and interior surfaces so that the trim details can echo each other inside and out, for an even more luxurious, cohesive, modern feel—and higher rents.
For more on updating old apartment exteriors on a budget, go to http://www.tamlyn.com.
