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Building a Home Design Dilemma Exterior

New Construction/Exterior Materials Help!

5 years ago

We’re looking for advice on exterial materials for our new construction.

We originally planned to do vinyl siding with a rock/stone row lock and rock/stone accents. I’ve attached inspiration photos below.

I started reading posts on Houzz and noticed that a lot of people prefer brick or Hardie siding to vinyl for durability. Opinions on Hardie siding? Other (similar) options to Hardie? Opinions on Certain Teed siding?

I prefer a light colored house - light gray, light tan, etc., but we are considering brick as well. Opinions/Examples of siding with a brick row lock and rock accents? It seems like an odd combination to me.

Clearly I just need help with all of these options! ‍♀️ I’ve attached pictures of a few houses that I like for inspiration - as well as our house plans.

Any and all advice is welcome! :)

Inspiration Pictures:

Actual house plans:

Featured Answer

PRO

PPF.

5 years ago

I'd start by simplifying the exterior.

Swap the toilet and shower in the master bath so you can squeeze in a window.

Kitchen needs work. Corner pantry is poorly located.

Consider dropping the roof pitch and eliminating the forward facing gable.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Springtime Builders
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Many here hate to hear it, but vinyl (uninsulated) is the most durable commonly used siding material. It performs well for a building envelope because it creates its own rainscreen.

Engineered options should be installed on rainscreens to get durability that competes with vinyl. I would use LP Smartside before Hardie but Boral TruExterior is my current favorite as mentioned in this recent [fascia thread[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/metal-clad-fascia-dsvw-vd~5494825?n=14).

I would avoid stick on stone and be careful with any masonry choices. For real durability in wet or humid climates, masonry requires better craftsmanship than what you see with current construction practices.
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This elevation could use some work still. The columns look undersized (from what I can tell in the drawing). The rake overhangs look a bit wide. If you can center the window between the two columns and the front door between the other two columns that might be more pleasing. Would suggest a different lite pattern in the windows. There as so many now it will slightly obscure the view. Hopefully, there will be casings around the windows and door. Some head trim would also give the house a more finished look. Not fond of the window configuration in the garage door. You might want to rethink that as well. Instead of board and batten I would perhaps suggest stone with siding to match the rest of the house in the two gables. Good luck!
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I hope you dislike natural light because this house will have the darkest interior of any house I've ever seen. You will need lights on during the middle of the day. I'm sorry but you may like this plan but there really is very little that works. Your master bedroom, bathroom, master closet, laundry room and the kid's bedrooms will get the most light, while the "public" rooms you spend the most time in,, (Kitchen, dining, living room and yes even the golf room and office will get NO to very little natural light. Who did you work with to design this? Are you sure they're a licensed architect? I'm sorry but the plan you're basing it on wasn't much better. Had you walked in the actual house you wanted to base this off of? I ask because that house will be dark too without all the lights turned on.
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I am confused you bought a new build that is nothing like the style you like and honestly this is a spanish style home and the mordern farmhouse look is not working for me.I agree the garage door needs some glass but not that garage door IMO the front door does not work either .Why does the front walk not go directly to the front door? So many things that are just off. Yes to removing the shutters and I like the idea of black windows but you have white windows and very little trim and the white grids will not look great with that bit of black trim. Maybe get an exterior designer to help bring this all together
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PRO
PPF.
5 years ago
Shutter info. https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/
whaas_5a
5 years ago
I'm very happy with the prefinished LP smartsiding I used.

I know you didn't ask but consider a door on the flex room from the kitchen area.
dan1888
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Here's some new info.-

More products with integrated rainscreens. No caulking needed.
Suki Mom
5 years ago
We are very happy with our LP Smartside. We have no brick or stone on our house and it looks very nice. Is the floor plan set? Having the bathtub and the laundry as the focal points of the main passage through the house is not good. I recommend deleting the laundry door by the master bedroom - will also give you more usable space in the laundry. Your dining area is very narrow - if you allow for 36" on either side of the dining table and room to push back the counter stools, there is not much room left. Your roof pitch is very steep - unnecessary expense.

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