# Material Selection Guide - Decision Logic

## Exterior Cladding Selection

### Decision Tree
```
What is the project type?
  Residential (1-3 story) → Go to Residential Options
  Commercial/Multi-family → Go to Commercial Options

What is the climate?
  Florida Coastal → Impact rated, salt resistant
  Hurricane Zone → Wind-rated assemblies
  High UV → Fade-resistant materials

What is the budget?
  Economy → Vinyl siding, stucco
  Mid-range → Fiber cement, metal panel
  Premium → Brick, stone, high-end metal
```

### Residential Cladding Options

| Material | Cost ($/SF) | Lifespan | Maintenance | Best For |
|----------|-------------|----------|-------------|----------|
| Vinyl siding | $3-8 | 20-40 yrs | Low | Budget residential |
| Fiber cement (Hardie) | $6-12 | 30-50 yrs | Low | Mid-range, all climates |
| Stucco (3-coat) | $6-9 | 50+ yrs | Medium | Florida, Southwest |
| Wood siding | $8-15 | 15-30 yrs | High | Traditional aesthetic |
| Brick veneer | $12-25 | 100+ yrs | Very low | Premium, traditional |
| Stone veneer | $15-35 | 50+ yrs | Low | Accent areas |
| Metal panel | $10-25 | 40-60 yrs | Low | Modern aesthetic |

### Commercial Cladding Options

| Material | Cost ($/SF) | Fire Rating | Best For |
|----------|-------------|-------------|----------|
| Metal panel | $12-30 | Varies | Modern, industrial |
| EIFS | $8-15 | 1-hr possible | Commercial, cost-effective |
| Curtain wall | $50-150 | 1-hr possible | High-rise, office |
| Precast concrete | $30-60 | 2-4 hr | Parking, industrial |
| Masonry (CMU) | $15-25 | 2-4 hr | Institutional, retail |
| Terracotta | $40-80 | 2-hr+ | High-end commercial |

### Florida Coastal Requirements
Must consider:
- Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance) if in HVHZ
- Impact resistance within 30' of grade
- Wind-driven rain resistance
- Salt spray corrosion resistance
- UV stability

---

## Flooring Selection

### Decision Tree
```
What is the use?
  Residential living areas → Wood, LVP, carpet
  Commercial high traffic → Polished concrete, VCT, porcelain
  Wet areas → Porcelain tile, sheet vinyl
  Industrial → Sealed concrete, epoxy

What is the maintenance tolerance?
  Low → Porcelain, polished concrete, LVP
  Medium → Hardwood, carpet tile
  High → Real wood, natural stone, carpet

What is the budget?
  Economy → VCT, carpet, sheet vinyl
  Mid-range → LVP, engineered wood, ceramic
  Premium → Hardwood, porcelain, natural stone
```

### Flooring Comparison

| Material | Cost ($/SF) | Durability | Wet OK | Best For |
|----------|-------------|------------|--------|----------|
| Carpet | $3-8 | 5-15 yrs | No | Bedrooms, offices |
| Carpet tile | $4-12 | 10-20 yrs | No | Commercial (replaceable) |
| Sheet vinyl | $2-5 | 10-20 yrs | Yes | Budget wet areas |
| VCT | $2-4 | 15-25 yrs | Limited | Commercial, institutional |
| LVP/LVT | $4-10 | 15-25 yrs | Yes | Residential, light commercial |
| Laminate | $3-7 | 10-20 yrs | Limited | Budget alternative to wood |
| Ceramic tile | $4-10 | 30+ yrs | Yes | Wet areas, entries |
| Porcelain tile | $6-15 | 50+ yrs | Yes | High traffic, commercial |
| Engineered wood | $6-14 | 20-30 yrs | Limited | Living areas |
| Solid hardwood | $8-18 | 50+ yrs | No | Premium residential |
| Natural stone | $15-50 | 50+ yrs | Varies | Premium, entries |
| Polished concrete | $4-10 | 50+ yrs | Yes | Industrial, modern |
| Epoxy | $6-15 | 15-25 yrs | Yes | Industrial, garage |

### Subfloor Requirements

| Flooring | Subfloor Prep |
|----------|---------------|
| Tile | Flat within 1/4" per 10', cement board or concrete |
| LVP | Flat within 3/16" per 10', smooth surface |
| Hardwood | Plywood, moisture barrier if over concrete |
| Carpet | Pad required, smooth subfloor |
| VCT | Very smooth, level surface |

---

## Countertop Selection

### Decision Tree
```
What is the use?
  Kitchen → Durable, heat resistant, food safe
  Bathroom → Moisture resistant
  Commercial → High durability, easy maintenance

What is the budget?
  Economy → Laminate, ceramic tile
  Mid-range → Quartz, solid surface
  Premium → Natural stone, specialty materials
```

### Countertop Comparison

| Material | Cost ($/SF) | Heat | Stain | Maintenance | Best For |
|----------|-------------|------|-------|-------------|----------|
| Laminate | $10-40 | Poor | Good | Low | Budget kitchens |
| Ceramic tile | $10-40 | Good | Fair | Medium | Budget, vintage |
| Solid surface | $40-100 | Fair | Good | Low | Commercial, bathrooms |
| Quartz | $50-150 | Good | Excellent | Very low | Modern kitchens |
| Granite | $50-200 | Excellent | Good | Medium | Traditional kitchens |
| Marble | $75-250 | Fair | Poor | High | Premium, baths |
| Soapstone | $70-150 | Excellent | Good | Medium | Traditional |
| Butcher block | $40-100 | Poor | Fair | High | Accent areas |
| Concrete | $70-150 | Excellent | Fair | Medium | Modern, industrial |
| Stainless steel | $80-150 | Excellent | Excellent | High | Commercial, modern |

### Edge Profiles
| Profile | Cost | Style |
|---------|------|-------|
| Square/Eased | Low | Modern, minimal |
| Beveled | Low | Classic |
| Bullnose | Medium | Traditional |
| Ogee | Medium | Traditional, ornate |
| Waterfall | High | Modern, dramatic |

---

## Window Selection

### Decision Tree
```
What is the climate?
  Florida → Impact-rated required in HVHZ
  Cold climate → Low-E, triple pane
  Hot climate → Low-E, solar control

What is the style?
  Traditional → Double-hung, casement
  Modern → Fixed, large panes
  Industrial → Steel, aluminum

What is the budget?
  Economy → Vinyl, double pane
  Mid-range → Fiberglass, aluminum with thermal break
  Premium → Wood, aluminum-clad wood
```

### Window Frame Materials

| Material | Cost | Maintenance | Insulation | Best For |
|----------|------|-------------|------------|----------|
| Vinyl | $ | Very low | Good | Budget, all climates |
| Aluminum | $$ | Low | Poor | Modern, commercial |
| Aluminum (thermal break) | $$$ | Low | Good | Modern, all climates |
| Fiberglass | $$$ | Very low | Excellent | All climates |
| Wood | $$$$ | High | Excellent | Traditional |
| Aluminum-clad wood | $$$$ | Medium | Excellent | Premium traditional |

### Glass Options

| Type | Purpose | U-Factor | SHGC |
|------|---------|----------|------|
| Clear double | Basic | 0.48 | 0.70 |
| Low-E | Energy efficiency | 0.30 | 0.25-0.40 |
| Low-E + Argon | Enhanced efficiency | 0.26 | 0.25-0.40 |
| Triple pane | Cold climates | 0.18-0.22 | 0.25-0.35 |
| Impact | Hurricane zones | Varies | Varies |
| Tinted | Glare/solar control | Varies | 0.40-0.60 |

### Florida/HVHZ Requirements
- Large missile impact (9 lb 2x4 at 50 fps)
- Small missile impact (2g steel balls)
- Cyclic pressure testing
- NOA (Notice of Acceptance) required
- Labels must remain visible after installation

---

## Door Selection

### Exterior Door Materials

| Material | Cost | Security | Insulation | Maintenance |
|----------|------|----------|------------|-------------|
| Steel | $ | Excellent | Good | Medium (rust) |
| Fiberglass | $$ | Excellent | Excellent | Very low |
| Wood | $$-$$$$ | Good | Good | High |
| Aluminum | $$$ | Good | Fair | Low |
| Wood-clad | $$$$ | Good | Good | Medium |

### Interior Door Materials

| Material | Cost | Sound | Durability | Best For |
|----------|------|-------|------------|----------|
| Hollow core | $ | Poor | Fair | Closets, budget |
| Solid core | $$ | Good | Good | Bedrooms, offices |
| Solid wood | $$$ | Excellent | Excellent | Premium |
| MDF | $-$$ | Fair | Good | Paint-grade |

### Fire-Rated Door Requirements

| Rating | Door Type | Frame | Hardware |
|--------|-----------|-------|----------|
| 20-min | Wood or steel | Wood OK | Standard |
| 45-min | Wood or steel | Steel preferred | Labeled |
| 60-min | Steel required | Steel required | Labeled |
| 90-min | Steel required | Steel required | Labeled + closer |

---

## Roofing Selection

### Residential Options

| Material | Cost ($/SF) | Lifespan | Wind Rating | Best For |
|----------|-------------|----------|-------------|----------|
| 3-tab shingle | $3-5 | 15-20 yrs | 60-70 mph | Budget |
| Architectural shingle | $4-7 | 25-30 yrs | 110-130 mph | Standard residential |
| Impact-resistant shingle | $5-8 | 30+ yrs | 130+ mph | Hail/hurricane zones |
| Metal (exposed fastener) | $4-8 | 40-50 yrs | 140+ mph | Rural, modern |
| Metal (standing seam) | $8-15 | 50-70 yrs | 180+ mph | Premium, coastal |
| Concrete tile | $10-18 | 50+ yrs | 150+ mph | Florida, Mediterranean |
| Clay tile | $15-25 | 75+ yrs | 150+ mph | Premium, Southwest |
| Slate | $20-40 | 100+ yrs | Varies | Premium, historic |

### Commercial Options

| Material | Cost ($/SF) | Lifespan | Best For |
|----------|-------------|----------|----------|
| TPO | $5-10 | 20-30 yrs | Energy efficiency |
| EPDM | $4-9 | 20-25 yrs | Budget flat roof |
| PVC | $6-12 | 25-30 yrs | Grease resistance |
| Modified bitumen | $5-10 | 20-25 yrs | Walkable roofs |
| Built-up (BUR) | $5-10 | 15-30 yrs | Traditional commercial |
| Metal (low-slope) | $8-15 | 40-60 yrs | Industrial |

---

## Paint Selection

### Interior Paint Sheens

| Sheen | Durability | Best For | Washability |
|-------|------------|----------|-------------|
| Flat/Matte | Low | Ceilings, low-traffic | Poor |
| Eggshell | Medium | Living areas, bedrooms | Good |
| Satin | Medium-High | Kitchens, baths, trim | Very good |
| Semi-gloss | High | Trim, doors, cabinets | Excellent |
| High-gloss | Very high | Doors, cabinets, accents | Excellent |

### Exterior Paint Types

| Type | Lifespan | Best For |
|------|----------|----------|
| Acrylic latex | 5-10 yrs | Most surfaces, wood |
| Elastomeric | 10-15 yrs | Stucco, masonry |
| Alkyd (oil) | 8-12 yrs | Metal, trim (fading) |
| Epoxy | 5-8 yrs | Floors, high wear |

### Coverage Estimates
- Smooth surface: 350-400 SF/gallon
- Textured surface: 200-300 SF/gallon
- Rough surface: 150-250 SF/gallon

---

## Insulation Selection

### Decision by Application

| Application | Type | R-Value/inch |
|-------------|------|--------------|
| Attic floor | Blown fiberglass | R-2.2-2.9 |
| Attic floor | Blown cellulose | R-3.2-3.8 |
| Wall cavity | Batt fiberglass | R-3.0-3.3 |
| Wall cavity | Spray foam (open) | R-3.5-4.0 |
| Wall cavity | Spray foam (closed) | R-6.0-7.0 |
| Roof deck | Polyiso | R-5.6-6.0 |
| Roof deck | XPS | R-5.0 |
| Foundation | XPS | R-5.0 |
| Foundation | EPS | R-3.8-4.2 |

### R-Value Requirements (Florida)

| Assembly | Minimum R-Value |
|----------|-----------------|
| Ceiling/Attic | R-30 |
| Wood frame wall | R-13 (R-20 w/ continuous) |
| Mass wall (CMU) | R-8 |
| Floor over unconditioned | R-13 |
| Roof (no attic) | R-25 |

---

## Quick Reference - Florida Residential

### Typical Material Selections

| Element | Economy | Standard | Premium |
|---------|---------|----------|---------|
| Exterior wall | Stucco/CMU | Stucco/CMU | Stucco + stone accent |
| Roof | Arch shingle | Concrete tile | Standing seam |
| Windows | Vinyl impact | Aluminum impact | Clad-wood impact |
| Entry door | Fiberglass | Fiberglass decorative | Mahogany + impact glass |
| Flooring | LVP | Porcelain tile | Hardwood + stone |
| Counters | Laminate | Quartz | Granite/quartzite |
| Cabinets | Thermofoil | Wood painted | Custom wood |

### Budget Allocation (Typical)
| Category | % of Finish Budget |
|----------|-------------------|
| Kitchen | 25-35% |
| Bathrooms | 15-25% |
| Flooring | 10-15% |
| Millwork/Trim | 8-12% |
| Paint | 5-8% |
| Lighting | 5-10% |
| Hardware | 3-5% |
