Redbrick colonial - Exterior update

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hello - We just moved into this house (20 yr old) and wish to update the exterior. Any recommendations on 1) Shutters (Keep or not, color), 2) Entry pillars (Keep or change to rectangular, color), 3) Trim (color), 4) Balcony (Keep or update)? 5) Door (Style and color). 6) Also appreciate any suggestions on landscaping. We power washed the brick, it looks quite good (Red and cream). Thank you very much!

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decoenthusiaste

4 years ago

Did you remove the shutters when you power washed? What did it look like without them? If the walls are not discolored behind them, I think I'd like it better without shutters. The ones on the main center part of the house look too crowded. Maybe someone will Photoshop them gone for you. Those don't seem to be doors on the "balcony" so it is entirely decorative. I would remove the railing and beef up the roof and the posts, but keep them round. Here's a home like yours with black for the entry. I think they overdid the black everywhere, but the entry looked elegant with it, IMO. They were asking about roof color and later in the post there's a better pic of the entry. The issue for you will be the green roof which can be bossy about complimentary colors.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5772076/how-bad-is-this-roof-color

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Comments (11)

back2eastcoast
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you very much for your comments. Is there a software I could use to see how it will look without the shutters and balcony railing? The roof looks green but it’s actually light grey!
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Really nice house. Would not paint the brick -- not ever. You might consider removing the two trees leaning toward the house before a storm --wind storm and/or ice storm or even lightening -- puts them on your roof. While you already have room to create a portico, if you remove the two trees, you'll have plenty of room for a larger front porch -- either one will look good with forward facing gable with its ridge point the same height as the gable on the left side and it would be a good idea to make a decision on that before replacing the roof. If you've been considering enlarging the house to extend the upstairs over the single story section on the left end of the ground floor and/or adding a porch or room elsewhere, Decide that before redoing the roofing. If a new roof is needed, make that your priority. medium/dark gray shingles are as close to neutral as shingles get. Newer metal roofs now have an extended warranty. Talk with your homeowner insurance company and see if they can give you any information about how metal roofs age in your geographic location that might help you make your decision. Probably would not choose metal myself with that style house -- they tend to look better with steep roofs. Siding color you have is neutral and works well with the brick so if it doesn't need changing, wouldn't make that a priority.
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I am in the same boat. We have a Garrison Colonial that needs an update. I think the best approach is a full front porch (also the most expensive options) but since we just added a screen porch to the back, I am looking for a less expensive options. I am considering adding a awning style portico held up with corbels to the front or perhaps a trellis above the windows to help disguise the overhang. I am also considering ditching the shutters around the door and adding some white panels to make the door look bigger, adding wider trim around the windows and eliminating the shutters altogether, changing the siding, and perhaps adding a panel or window box under the window. Below are a few ideas, I am considering perhaps they might work for you. I would love to see what you decide to do. Below are some of the ideas that might work for you. Not sure what you call this style portico, matches better with the roof line. Maybe a trellis above the windows to hide overhang
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HPM Craftsmen
4 years ago
Hello! I suggest having the roof inspected to see how many more years you may get out of it. If it is something that is going to be replaced soon, you may want to wait on the other updates as then you will have a cleaner palette to work with.

Furthermore, I think the shutters lend itself to the more traditional look of the house, so I actually think they work in this instance. You can consider removing the shutters in the middle of the side by side windows (the ones that are touching) and beefing up the trim to make it look like one larger window. This will also alleviate the overcrowding look. Good luck
chloebud
4 years ago
"The roof looks green but it’s actually light grey!"

I was wondering about that. Better to have the gray! I think deco's spot on with her suggestions. The shutters she mentioned do look crowded. For me, removing the ones in the center will only make the remaining shutters appear out of proportion (too small). Lovely home!
back2eastcoast
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Thank you! I am hearing

1) Keep or remove all shutters

2) Remove Faux balcony rail

3) Beef up the entry trim and bigger round pillars

I like the idea of black for the entry way. If I keep all shutters what color do I paint them?

For colors what do you think of SW Alabaster (White) and Charcoal Blue (Dark grey)?

Thanks again!
decoenthusiaste
4 years ago
Match shutters to your other trim and let the front entry be the main focus.
cat_ky
4 years ago
The house itself look really nice, and I wouldnt do much to it. What really bothers me is those little balls of shrubs. I would remove them all, and put my money into some really nice landscaping and dont forget to include a few colorful plants into the landscaping.
houssaon
4 years ago
The biggest fix would be to update the foundation plantings.
tatts
4 years ago
You do NOT remove shutters on one side of a window! That makes no sense.

None of the items you mention are needed to improve the house, and some will detract from it. It's just change for the sake of change.

If you remove the railing over the porch, how will you explain the French doors? No one would ever have French doors leading on to an unsafe balcony with no railing. Yes, I know, the doors may be fake, they may never be used, the roof may not be able to be walked on. But it has to LOOK as though it could in order for the French doors to pass as real. If you remove the railing, the house looks stupid and dangerous.

So...tread lightly. You're new to the house; live with it a while. Cat_ky is right. Spend some time nd money on landscaping. The house looks barren and baked sitting like that. I'd like to pull the driveway away from the front of the house to give some room for a couple of ornamental trees; that may not be possible. But certainly rethink those tiny ball shrubs.
Kathy Evans
4 years ago
Your house is beautiful! Its a very traditional design with good massing. If It were mine I might look at changing the front door color to something lighter (creamy white or a warm light gray tone). A closer up photo of the entry might be helpful. I love the shutters! It's hard to see for sure, but are those shutter dogs? Congratulations on a great find!
PRO
Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
4 years ago
You could remove the shutters but I actually like them on your home. The comment about painting the door a color different from the other colors to make it a focal point is spot on. You could paint the trim a taupe color that would change the look a bit, but I don't think that is absolutely necessary.

If you're interested in seeing these changes virtually check my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.

Redbrick colonial - Exterior update

decoenthusiaste

Comments (11)

back2eastcoast
Original Author

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back2eastcoast
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Redbrick colonial - Exterior update

Comments (11)

back2eastcoastOriginal Author

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