Exterior Advice Desperately Needed

5 years ago

Please chime in with opinions or advice! Over the next 4-6 weeks, our 25+ yr old house will undergo a total exterior transformation-Painting the brick (proposed SW Shoji White) soffet/fascia repairs & paint (proposed SW Anew Gray) new Pella Encompass windows in fossil, new mahogany front door with seedy baroque privacy glass.
What do I do about the existing cast stone accents around entry and above windows?? Paint? What color? Leave alone? And what about color of gutters/downspouts? White, gray or different dark accent? Help greatly appreciated!

Also, open to other suggestions for Sherwin Williams colors

Featured Answer

lizziesma

5 years ago

I understand needing change but gee whiz, this house is great as is. Agree with downspout change and would trim up the right side tree.

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Comments (34)

User
5 years ago
If the cast stone is in good condition, leave it as is. The downspouts should be the same color of the walls they are on.
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Wendy Stewart
Original Author
5 years ago
What a nice compliment and I truly appreciate the kind validation from you. My husband & I have never really been fond of the dark red brick. In fact, we’ve now lived in this home for five years but the brick color almost prevented us from even looking at the home to begin with. We have updated the interior and now we finally get to freshen up the exterior and make it lighter, cleaner and more updated. I’ll include a photo of my vision & inspiration below....
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
The architecture of your home is much more busy than #2 & 3 above, so I don't want you to be disappointed when you don't get the same look. Have you loaded a photo of your home onto the SW site to "try on" those colors?
Oliviag
5 years ago
I like your home the way it is. have others in the neighbor hood painted the brick, and what was the jncrease/ decrease in value?
housegal200
5 years ago
What a shame you bought a brick house since you don't like it. I'm with the others in believing that you're devaluing the house by removing a textured, natural feature and adding future maintenance costs to your budget and anyone else who might look at the house. It's got a dignified look in harmony with the design and lines. But since you asked, leave the stone trim, which will be the only interesting element left when you're done.
dyliane
5 years ago
don't paint the brick
Sally Unger
5 years ago
It's your house - paint it if you want! I think the soffet and fascia should match the stone accents. Find a color to coordinate with that. I like your ideas and inspiration. There are so many textural accents in the beautiful brickwork that I think it will be wonderful in any color you choose.
Bri Bosh
5 years ago
If you’re insistent on painting the brick, I’d recommend a dye instead of paint. It will be less maintenance. I happen to like your brick, though!
Wendy Stewart
Original Author
5 years ago
Sally thank you! I appreciate your positive comment. Frankly I’m surprised at the number of negative opinions on this thread-of all of the local friends & neighbors who are aware of our vision & plans-we’ve had nothing but encouragement & excitement to see the finished result. In our local area, painted brick is gaining popularity & is a popular growing trend-including areas like Highland Park in Dallas which is affluent & maintains very stable, high property values. Let me clarify my earlier statement....we live in Texas. Most homes here are brick!! We like brick in general-we were not thrilled with the COLOR of the brick on this home when we purchased it! The previous suggestion to try the Sherwin Williams app (assuming ColorSnap was intended) I would love to try out several options. I’ve attempted to use it but I’m not savvy enough with it to figure out how to use it with the photo I uploaded-user error no doubt.

My thinking has been aligned with yours, Sally. I envisioned some contrast with the new windows in fossil and enough architectural variation to create some depth & interest. I’ve had the SW Color Consultant come to my home to help a few weeks ago but my aforementioned questions earlier today popped up since her visit. I’m going to cross my fingers that other Houz-ers will respond with comments in our favor.
Bri Bosh
5 years ago
Ah. So when you asked for opinions or advice, you meant “please confirm that I should paint my brick.” Gotcha.
Wendy Stewart
Original Author
5 years ago
I was seeking opinions & advice on what to do about the cast stone, the color of gutters, and I was interested if anyone had other suggestions for Sherwin Williams colors-different from the proposed colors I referred to. Our decision to paint is a done deal. Thank you for clarifying my intent of the original post.
Sally Unger
5 years ago
Wendy, you've shown great patience in your responses, since you've already made the decision to paint. While natural brick is beautiful, the darkness of this house would be too overwhelming for me. You're clearly drawn to light and bright. Don't forget to take roof color into account as you make changes! Fortunately, your roof is a medium color so it should go well with the lighter color palette you're considering. Not sure about white trim with your natural stone color. Think it would be more harmonious if they were similar colors. I'm wondering what is the impetus behind changing the windows rather than merely painting them?
niccidhg
5 years ago
Wendy, your home is so pretty. However, I support and understand your desire to lighten/brighten and freshen the facade, as your brick is currently very dark. I don’t think it will devalue that gorgeous property in the least. To the contrary, I think the windows and gables will pop more and come into their own as features. Maintenance comes with home ownership and if this will help you enjoy your home , and better fulfill your vision for it, I say go for it. You can always have it repainted years down the road if need be. It does seem like a huge undertaking, so I am banking on the notion you have thoroughly researched , and possibly seen the work of those who will be painting your brick, as well as having spoken to a reference who has had their brick painted. The colors you have chosen are beautiful. Normally, I would say to leave the cast stone as is, BUT on my screen it looks very warm , creamy off-white. I think that would fight with the anew gray and possibly look dingy. I would suggest a stone STAIN for those- not paint, for a more natural look, in a color that most closely matches the Anew Gray . As far as the spouting goes, I like the look of the very dark contrasting spouting in the inspiration pics. BUT those houses have much darker roofing than yours and so the design element of contrast looks intentional there. Your house already has a lot of decorative elements and your roof is lighter, so I would go with white downspouts. With your mahogany door I think it is going to be just beautiful ! Best of luck to you and please post pictures of the transformation . Again, love the color scheme you have chosen (and am assuming the soffit/fascia color will be carried onto the louvred arch accents, too ).
housegal200
5 years ago
Many articles caution against painting brick due to potential problems. Brick is porous and allows the house to "breathe" so that moisture doesn't collect and cause structural problems. But maybe you don't live in a humid climate. Just make sure you know what you're getting into, that the painter does proper prep, gets the best paint for this kind of a job. Good luck.

https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/painting-lighting/paint-brick-house/
cat_ky
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Leave the stone. If you really have to do something to that beautiful brick (you have a beautiful home), then make sure what you do is not a solid paint job. Brick has to breathe, and when you paint it solid, so it cant breathe, you can end up with a major nightmare. Also be aware when you paint the brick, you will be devaluating your house, because, you have taken away the maintenance free exterior. Many people do not want to be painting on their house, or doing touch ups year around. I am not fond of the color of my stone house either, however, I have lived in houses that had to be painted every so many years, or stained every so many years . Low Maintenance (except for maybe a light power washing), is great.
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
The previous owners of our house painted the dark brick over 20 years ago. We just repainted it in SW Shoji White. It had held up quite well although we had about 12 bricks scattered over the facade that needed to be replaced due to spalling. They were located mostly near gutters that probably over spilled if they were clogged. Again, we inherited this and we expect we will have to do some brick replacement/repainting every 15-20 years.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
5 years ago
Paint the brick, leave the stone. It will be great! Obviously use the right products and prep properly. The wood door sounds pretty but it will be yearly maintenance- and I promise cheaper to do a light sand and recoat every spring than letting it go...
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
I will also add that our painter was coincidentally the painter that had painted the house 20 years ago. They were definitely not the cheapest painting contractor in town. Quality paint, lots and lots of prep with a good power washing prior to all that. Took about 2 weeks with 4 guys. Translate that to labor costs in your area and you can decide if it’s something you still want to do both now and years down the road. Also, consulting w a realtor in your area might be a wise move if this is not your forever home. Good luck!
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
5 years ago
I would look into this paint; Romabio.

https://romabio.com/
niccidhg
5 years ago
Wendy, in doing your due diligence , I think the info. which housegal200 ( mentioning KEIM mineral silicate paint ) and gracie01 ‘s link are precisely what you need to research, and to discuss with the professional painters you employ , before embarking on your project. I was just reading about both of those myself to get more insight . Great information there ! Great job, ladies ! Houzzers come through every time !
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
Consider stain, rather than paint.
Wisconsin Brick Stain Project · More Info

Crystal Lake, IL Exterior Brick Staining Project · More Info
queenvictorian
5 years ago
What about an old-fashioned lime-based whitewash? Whitewash is breathable, while modern paint is not. Bricks need to "breathe" - if you encase them in paint, you prevent that from happening by trapping moisture that can no longer be expelled, and accelerate mortar degradation and spalling.
lizziesma
5 years ago
While I generally like your brick look, I also like your inspiration photo. I say, if that's what you want and you're informed of any upkeep, cost, etc, then do it. Sometimes we make home buying decisions based on the best available during the hunt and it seems accepting the brick was your compromise to get other, more "valuable" factors. Good luck with your project, I will be interested in seeing the finished product!
Wendy Stewart
Original Author
5 years ago
Would like to post an update to my original plea for advice on painting the exterior of my home. It’s been 2 months and the contractors have finished all of the projects. I have to admit, I am so pleased with the outcome and I sincerely appreciate those that took a moment to share opinions and suggestions. We went with SW Shoji white for the brick, SW Anew Gray for the soffit and fascia, and decided to accent the gutters and downspouts with SW Iron Ore. What a difference...
Jeannie Nicozisis Kontis
5 years ago
Wendy, it looks beautiful!
niccidhg
5 years ago
Very pretty , Wendy. Nicely done! It was so nice of you to share the finished result . Happy for you that you are enjoying it.
Kirsten E.
5 years ago
Beautiful! I find the lighter color much more appealing.
Sally Unger
5 years ago
Love it, Wendy! Glad you followed your gut feel and didn't let others dissuade you. It is transformed for dark, looking life a fortress into a light and welcoming home! Thanks for posting - so nice to hear the end of the story. Enjoy!
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
Yay for Shoji white! Glad you are happy with it!
Nidnay
5 years ago
Looks beautiful....and IMO, much more appealing than the red brick.
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Nice change. Why not bring the painters back and cover that stone at the patio area like the rest of the house?
luscious111
5 years ago
Love it! Thanks for sharing the final product.
Paula Cummings
last year
Love your home and the colors! Our home is similar to yours- we plan to keep the red brick and paint soffits/fascia shoji white, put in black front door and black downspouts. I love painted brick but I’m too nervous to do such a big change.