Often nestled amidst nature’s greatest landscapes, modern mountain homes combine a distinct location and a sense of adventure and serenity. The appeal of these craftsman-style homes are deeply rooted in the early 20th century and have evolved to meet the demands of modern living while retaining their alpine characteristics.
With a rustic yet refined aesthetic, modern mountain homes serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of mountain living and blend traditional looks with today’s creature comforts. Thanks to the latest advancements in material science and a commitment to meeting today’s ever-evolving design sensitivities, homeowners and builders looking to create the craftsman-style home do not need to sacrifice curb appeal for functionality. They can choose from a wide variety of modern building materials – including exterior cladding – that simultaneously deliver timeless looks and desirable performance characteristics.
Modern Design Elements
Mountain homes – referred to as craftsman homes – preserve the core values of the original style: simplicity, handcrafted beauty, and a deep connection with nature, but with a contemporary twist. While they retain low-pitched rooflines and exposed rafters, modern craftsman homes often feature more open layouts and larger windows than their predecessors.
When designing a modern craftsman home, it is important to balance traditional elements with contemporary needs. This includes the use of updated materials that contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Consider open floor plans. Modern craftsman homes often feature more spacious, open interiors compared to their historic counterparts, catering to contemporary preferences for flexible living spaces. Interior features such as built-in cabinetry and exposed beams remain traditional staples in craftsman homes but are often executed with contemporary materials and stylings for functionality and visual appeal.
For the exterior of the home, the challenge is to select modern materials for the building envelope that still retain that desirable, classic look. While maintaining the characteristic front porch and low-pitched roofs, today’s interpretations might include larger windows or mixed-material facades using products like Nichiha’s fiber cement siding for a fresh, durable exterior.
Contemporary Sustainable Material, Classic Look
Modern craftsman homes often incorporate eco-friendly materials and building practices, reflecting the movement’s emphasis on harmonious living with the environment.
For the exterior cladding, Nichiha products are engineered to preserve a craftsman home’s beauty but with minimal upkeep.
Take Sierra Premium Shake™, a face-fastened siding that provides the look of traditional cedar shake with the long-lasting performance of fiber cement. Along with the brand’s Savannah Smooth™, its robust thickness offers the option of mitered corners for a classic craftsman look. NichiBoard™ delivers popular looks such as cedar wood grain textures, board-and-batten, and classic lap siding to a home seeking to achieve that craftsman aesthetic.
Both lines of Nichiha fiber cement siding are resilient. They are manufactured to resist the elements and repel rotting, warping, and pests, which are common issues with natural materials. Both options also come in a variety of textures and colors that emulate natural wood and other traditional materials, offering design flexibility while respecting the architectural integrity of the craftsman style.
Embracing the Landscape
A notable characteristic of this home style is the sensation it provides. The drive is to ensure exterior and interior textures are in harmony with the surrounding landscape. In mountain homes, this is often seen through solid wood cladding.
Modern examples take this a step further, completely circumventing traditional lumber and its maintenance pitfalls. Take for instance Colorado’s Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center and Washington’s Point Casino and Hotel. Though both are commercial properties, they utilize Nichiha wall systems that closely mimic the look and feel of wood. In doing so, they more fully immerse guests in the embrace of the surrounding landscapes with the Rocky Mountains and the Olympic National Park, respectively. Nichiha’s popular VintageWood is almost essential in such cases, being able to closely resemble a variety of tree species. Unlike wood, it requires minimal maintenance, better endures freeze-thaw climates, and is fire resistant.
The Timeless Charm of Modern Craftsman Homes
Modern craftsman style homes continue to enchant homeowners by blending historic charm with contemporary living standards. Through thoughtful design and the use of innovative materials like Nichiha's fiber cement products, these homes not only retain their timeless appeal but also meet today’s demands for functionality and sustainability.
