New home shoppers make steep compromises – preferring masonry, settling for less

Jul 26, 2011

Masonry homes offer better value and are more affordable than you think TORONTO –Homebuyers are selling themselves, and their investment, short when they choose a vinyl-clad home over one with a masonry exterior. A new study commissioned by MasonryWorx, the trade association of brick, block and stone masonry industry professionals, shows that 84% of Ontario new home shoppers prefer a house made of brick or stone, but most also believe it is the most expensive option. Half of all home shoppers consider vinyl siding the least expensive cladding option, but only 6% prefer it. However, the idea that opting for a masonry exterior is vastly more expensive is a myth potential homebuyers should see past, says MasonryWorx President Dante Di Giovanni.

“Building your new house out of brick versus vinyl adds only 2 to 4 % to the cost of the house,” Di Giovanni says. “When you factor a higher resale price, lower maintenance costs and lower energy costs into the equation, brick becomes a much better value.”

The MasonryWorx study also showed that Ontario home shoppers aware of the benefits of masonry materials for a home’s exterior. More than four in five think a brick or stone home “looks best,” is more durable and has a higher resale value. Two-thirds also acknowledge a masonry home will have lower maintenance costs than options like wood, stucco or vinyl siding.

North American real estate professionals estimate that a brick home has a resale value 6% higher than homes built with alternative exterior materials. This more than compensates the homeowner for their initial investment in a masonry home.

“These are the tangible costs.  What the numbers don’t show are the additional quality of life benefits of building with masonry – less street noise from neighbours combined with the greater peace of mind that comes with improved fire resistance,” Di Giovanni said.  “With small lot sizes and houses built closer together than ever, the advantages of masonry keep climbing.”

The MasonryWorx survey, conducted by Redfern Research and Pollara Strategic Insights to gauge consumer attitudes and awareness of masonry products, was conducted using The Pollara Townhall, Pollara’s online panel of more than 250,000 Canadians, recruited entirely from random-digit-dial telephone surveys.  The survey of more than 1,800 adult Ontario consumers included more than 600 Ontario new home shoppers (those planning to buy a new home in the next 5-years) and was statistically weighted to reflect the population of the province.  It is considered accurate to approximately 4%, 19 times out of 20.

About MasonryWorx
MasonryWorx is the trade association of brick, block and stone masonry industry professionals. Its membership includes product manufacturers, suppliers and skilled professionals from across Ontario, and the organization is committed to providing homebuyers, homeowners, architects, engineers, builders and government leaders with accurate, timely information about the use and benefits of brick, block and stone products.

For more on the benefits of masonry, please visit www.masonryworx.com