2026 People’s Choice Award Winner: A Show-Stopping Exterior Built to Stand Out

There are some homes that immediately make you stop and take a second look—and this one is certainly one of them.

We were thrilled to partner with Haven Homes and Design on the siding and decking for this incredible West Michigan home. And now, we have even more reason to celebrate: the home was voted the 2026 Parade of Homes People’s Choice Award Winner!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2026 Parade of Homes and cast their vote. Congratulations to the entire Haven Homes and Design team! We loved having the opportunity to collaborate on a home that combines bold design, beautiful materials, and long-term performance.

A Modern Exterior With Warmth and Character

One of the most striking things about this home is the contrast between its deep black exterior and warm wood-inspired accents.

For the siding, the design combines James Hardie Board and Batten in Midnight Black Cedarmill from the Dream Collection with MAC Metal Architectural Harrywood PLUS steel siding in Cork.

The combination creates a modern exterior without making the home feel cold or overly industrial. Midnight Black gives the home a dramatic, sophisticated foundation, while the Cork steel siding introduces warmth and the appearance of natural wood.

James Hardie Board and Batten

Board and batten siding has become a favorite for modern, transitional, and modern farmhouse homes because of the vertical lines and architectural dimension it brings to an exterior.

But the beauty of James Hardie siding goes beyond appearance.

Fiber cement siding is designed to provide:

• Long-lasting durability against the elements
• Resistance to moisture, rot, and warping
• Resistance to pests
• Low maintenance compared with many traditional siding materials
• Excellent color and design options
• The ability to create bold architectural details and contrast

The Midnight Black Cedarmill panels make a statement while still offering the texture and character that keep the exterior visually interesting.

The home also incorporates Rough Sawn Trim in James Hardie's Midnight Black Statement Collection, helping create a cohesive, finished appearance throughout the exterior.

The Look of Wood Without Traditional Wood Siding

To bring warmth into the predominantly black exterior, Harrywood PLUS steel siding by MAC Metal Architectural in Cork was incorporated into the design.

Harrywood PLUS is available in 24- or 26-gauge pre-painted galvanized steel and is engineered to realistically replicate the grain and appearance of natural wood. The Cork finish provides the warm, organic look of wood that pairs beautifully with Midnight Black.

It's an especially effective choice for homeowners who love wood accents but want an exterior material designed for durability.

Steel siding offers several advantages, including:

• Exceptional strength and durability
• Resistance to rot and insect damage
• Minimal maintenance requirements
• Long-term exterior performance
• The ability to achieve the warmth of wood without relying on traditional wood siding

On this home, the Cork accents break up the darker siding and give the exterior another layer of texture, warmth, and visual interest.

Taking the Design Into the Backyard

The same attention to detail continues onto the deck.

For the decking, we installed TimberTech in Weathered Oak, creating a warm, natural-looking outdoor living space that complements the home's siding beautifully.

Composite decking is an excellent option for homeowners who want to spend more time enjoying their outdoor space and less time maintaining it.

Unlike traditional wood decking, TimberTech doesn't require the routine sanding, staining, and sealing associated with a wood deck. It's designed to resist many of the common issues homeowners experience with traditional wood while maintaining a beautiful wood-inspired appearance.

Benefits include:

• Low maintenance
• No annual staining or sealing
• Resistance to moisture-related damage
• Consistent appearance
• Long-lasting performance
• A wide variety of colors and wood-inspired finishes

Weathered Oak was an ideal choice for this home because its natural tones work beautifully alongside both the Cork steel siding and dramatic Midnight Black exterior.

Black IRX Railing Finishes the Space

The deck is completed with Black IRX railing, continuing the black accents from the home's exterior into the outdoor living area.

The streamlined railing creates definition around the deck without distracting from the architecture or surrounding views. The black finish also ties the entire exterior palette together—from the siding and trim to the deck itself.

AZEK trim was incorporated into the deck as well, providing another durable, low-maintenance finishing element.

The home's soffit and fascia feature Quality Edge (QE) products, completing an exterior where even the smaller details were thoughtfully selected for appearance, performance, and longevity.

Great Exterior Design Is About More Than One Material

What makes this award-winning home especially striking isn't one individual siding color, deck board, or railing system. It's how all of those elements work together.

The combination of:

James Hardie Midnight Black + MAC Harrywood PLUS Cork + TimberTech Weathered Oak + Black IRX railing

creates contrast without feeling disconnected.

The black provides drama.
The Cork introduces warmth.
The Weathered Oak softens the outdoor living space.
The black railing ties everything back together.

It's a great example of how mixing materials, textures, and finishes can give a home's exterior depth and personality while still maintaining a cohesive design.

Congratulations, Haven Homes and Design!

We're incredibly proud to have partnered with Haven Homes and Design on the siding and decking for this project, and we're excited to see the home recognized as the 2026 Parade of Homes People's Choice Award Winner.

Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this beautiful home to life—and thank you to everyone who toured the Parade of Homes and voted!

Want to see more of the winning home? Take a closer look at the full property and discover more from Haven Homes and Design.

And if this home has you thinking about what's possible for your own exterior, Hutcherson Construction can help you explore siding and decking combinations that bring together design, durability, and low-maintenance performancefor a home you'll love for years to come.

Photos: Haven Homes & Design, Hutcherson Construction