We're big fans of this house in Portland, Oregon. We like the low-maintenance, long-lasting, and unpainted galvanized steel used as siding. But we especially like the way it's detailed.

The traditional wood trim around the large windows help the blocky, modern addition fit in with the original Victorian house. We also like they way the trim warms up a material many people associate with industrial buildings.

We've scouted for prices and suppliers before, but there aren't dominant national brands in the sheet metal market; you'll need to look for a local supplier. Metal prices are in flux and seem to be rising fast, but the longevity of metal and the fact that galvanized doesn't need to be painted offers both ecological and financial benefits.