Timeless Design for Houses: Talk #5

Learn more about events in the series of Timeless Design for Houses of any Age!

Talk #5

5th Commandment: Authenticity and Restraint When Choosing Exterior Materials

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Naperville Municipal Center, Rooms A&B

400 S Eagle St,

Naperville, IL 60540

Selecting materials and colors for the exterior of a house can be a daunting exercise. Using timeless architectural principles can make the experience simpler and more enjoyable.

Authenticity and Restraint When Choosing Exterior Materials, the fifth Talk in a series about timelessness for all things residential, explored how and why exterior materials of the past have stood the test of time when it comes to durability, value and enduring beauty.

Tom also waded through a small part of the sea of ever-changing exterior materials available today. We’ll explore which exterior materials might last the longest, look the most authentic, add true value and most importantly, be the least trendy. A Materials Petting Zoo was opened before and after the talk to experience some of the most popular exterior materials up close and in person.

Walk the Talk #5

As a follow up to the Talk, Tom Ryan took attendees on Saturday morning (October 11th) to see firsthand how exterior materials have been used successfully on Naperville houses both old and new.

7 Things to Make the Exterior of Your House Timeless (not trendy)

If changing existing exterior materials, consult a residential architect before a contractor.
Limit the types of exterior wall materials on your house to one or two — and make them believable.
Avoid materials made of plastic or cement — their manufacture is very harmful to the environment.
Choose renewable and/or natural materials — wood, clay bricks, natural stone or stucco.
Don’t be fooled by product warranties – they are sales tools. Natural materials don’t need warranties.
When replacing windows keep them in character to the house — include exterior grills for a timeless look.
Interview contractors until you find one that does the right thing or is interested in learning.

Sources of Inspiration

Book: Chapters1, 5, 6, 9, & 13 of “Get Your House Right” by Marianne Cusato and Ben Pentreath. Available Locally at Anderson’s Bookshop.