Best Affordable Alternative Building Materials for Your Next Remodel

Home remodeling is still possible even with a tight budget.

No matter the project you have in mind, there’s no escaping spending money. Whether you’re remodeling a room, your whole house, or making new furniture to add, you’ll have to spend. And that doesn’t mean you’re only paying money. You’ll also be spending time and, more importantly, resources or materials.

More often than not, building materials don’t come for free. What’s more, depending on the quality and quantity of the materials you need, you might need to pay more. And this kind of situation is not preferable, especially when you’re on a budget.

But never fear because there’s still a way for you to enjoy your remodel or construction project! You don’t have to get the highest quality material, so you can save. However, that doesn’t mean that you’ll have to make do with ugly products. Why not get some alternatives that are just as good as the real deal minus the heavy price tag?

Here are some of the best and most affordable alternative building materials you can use.

Concrete Sheet

Concrete sheet, also known as cement board, is a mixture of cellulose fibers and cement. It’s then pressed into flat boards in various sizes. But boards sized 3’ x 5’ that are 1/4 or 1/2 inch thick are the most common. Concrete sheet or cement board is moisture-resistant and needs little to no maintenance. It’s typically used as a replacement for drywall or flooring underlay However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t use it as a flooring or wall covering by itself. Just paint it or stain it with your preferred colors, and it can be a great floor or wall for your home.

Stone Veneer

Natural stone is a beautiful building material that gives your home a nature-y vibe. However, as much as they are beautiful, natural stones carry a heavy price tag with them. That’s because quarrying such stones and processing them will take time and effort. But if you still have your eye on having natural stone in your home without the heavy burden of its price, stone veneer is for you.

Stone veneer is a thin sheet of either natural or manufactured stone. You can have this installed over any base, which can be concrete, wood, masonry, or something else. You can use stone veneer to cover any plain interior or exterior surface, fireplace, walls, and more. Thanks to that, you’ll have the natural stone look without breaking the bank.

Shipping Containers

Owning homes can be very expensive nowadays. Even if you want to secure yourself a home or add an ADU to your property, construction will take time, labor, and money. However, shipping containers are a great way to fashion yourself a tiny home. Though it’s not as spacious as the standard home, it can accommodate the essential utilities a person could need. Turning an old shipping container may take the same amount of time and labor. However, the bottom line will show it’s more cost-effective than constructing a standard ADU home.

Cork

Cork is known to have a warm and pleasing aesthetic, making it an affordable choice for homeowners. Its design and beauty are hard to replicate even when using man-made materials, making it one-of-a-kind. Cork is an inexpensive alternative you can get if you want to use it as an accent wall or a cover for your kitchen islands or countertops. Not only that, but it’s also one of the best options if you’re thinking about making your own home bar.

Used Brick

Efficiency is the name of the game in this day and age. There’s no way you get to think about the word efficiency and not connect it to saving money. Being efficient will require one to spend less time, labor, resources, and money on something. It’s also an added perk that being efficient can also result in leaving a good impact on our environment. And that’s where used brick comes into the equation.

Not only do they cost less than new bricks, but used bricks are still able to fulfill their purpose. Whether you’re using them for your patio, wall, fire pits, or other structures, used bricks are as good as new ones. Although they’re known for their charming natural reddish hue, those who prefer a new look for these used bricks can paint them in their preferred color.

Whether you’re remodeling, renovating, or adding a new structure to your home, the result will depend on your budget. However, if the budget is tight, it doesn’t mean that it’s the end of your home remodeling dreams. You can still make do with alternative materials that are not only easy on the pockets but also aesthetically pleasing.

If you want to know more about alternative building materials you want for your next project, call us at Grand Rapids Remodeling Pros! Our expert contractors are more than happy to provide their thoughts and suggestions that can make your project smoother and more efficient.