As labor shortages and rising installation costs continue to impact the home improvement market, builders and contractors are looking for products that save time, reduce complexity and deliver polished, long-lasting results. Westlake Royal Building Products offers a range of innovative, easy-to-install solutions that make it simple to achieve high-end looks without sacrificing efficiency or performance..
Below, Kriss Swint, director of marketing communications and design lead at Westlake Royal Building Products, shares four practical upgrades that can help contractors streamline installations and increase client satisfaction this fall.
1. Add Natural Texture with Manufactured Stone Veneer
Whether used as a statement fireplace surround or full accent wall, stone has long been a staple of high-end design for its raw texture, organic warmth and timeless character. However, installing natural stone can be time- and labor-intensive.. Panelized stone veneers, like Versetta Stone and Eldorado Stone’s Stacked Stone profile, instead use lightweight panels and simple attachment methods, making it possible to achieve the look of artisan stonework without the time, labor or tools required for traditional masonry.
Pro Tip: Frame stone walls with integrated lighting, wood shelving or mixed-metal accents to blend natural textures with modern design.
2. Upgrade Columns with PVC Wraps
For front porch columns that are worn, outdated or lacking definition, PVC column wraps offer a fast, durable and design-forward solution. Easy to install over existing posts with basic tools, they provide crisp architectural lines and long-lasting performance—resistant to moisture, rot and peeling paint. This allows builders to deliver millwork-quality results with minimal labor and maintenance concerns.
Pro Tip: Match the column color to a home’s trim for a cohesive palette, or opt for contrast (such as a rich charcoal or soft taupe) to make a porch pop.
3. Elevate Outdoor Ceilings
Outdoor ceilings are often overlooked, but a simple upgrade can dramatically enhance exterior living spaces. An option like Grove Collection delivers the warmth of stained wood in a durable, low-maintenance material. Hidden nailing hems simplify installation and create a clean, professional finish, perfect for covered porches or patios that are ready for autumn entertaining.
Pro Tip: Add a woven pendant, ceiling fan, recessed lighting or integrated sound system for an outdoor living space that feels intentionally designed and ready for homeowners to entertain.
4. Define Interiors with Beadboard
Architectural trim has the power to make a space feel considered and complete, and one of the most transformative applications is beadboard. Whether running vertically for a traditional touch or horizontally for a coastal-modern look, beadboard creates texture, rhythm and structure within a room. Available in multiple profiles, thicknesses and lengths, Royal PVC Beadboard is lightweight, easy to cut and moisture-resistant, making it ideal for powder rooms, mudrooms or entryways during the fall season when these areas see more foot traffic.
Pro Tip: Cap beadboard panels with a simple chair rail in a contrasting tone, or paint the entire surface in a bold, saturated hue for a high-impact feature wall.
About Westlake Royal Building Products
Westlake Royal Building Products USA Inc., a Westlake company (NYSE:WLK), is a leader throughout North America in the innovation, design, and production of a broad and diverse range of exterior and interior building products, including Siding and Accessories, Trim and Mouldings, Roofing, Stone, Windows and Outdoor Living. Westlake Royal Building Products manufactures high quality, low maintenance products to meet the specifications and needs of building professionals, homeowners, architects, engineers and distributors, while providing stunning curb appeal with an unmatched array of colors, styles, and accessories.
For more information, please visit WestlakeRoyalBuildingProducts.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram and “Like” us on Facebook.
