Have you ever looked into removing it? I don't think it is structural, but a professional should look at it.

Cute house. I would see if you could have it removed.

The heavy beam is supporting the roof extension- that looks to be a pretty long span 16’? It is possible to restructure it so it extends the full depth of the porch, if you keep the current slope it will be even lower than currently. You will need to replace the roof at the same time.

Are you sure about painting it? I like the stone accents.

Can you take a picture of the backside of the beam, from inside the porch? If the beam is structural, you would need to hire an engineer to size a different one.

i agree with Hallett, I like your brick and stone without paint. It looks like it could stand to be cleaned though. Same with the driveway, a good power wash might brighten it.

The brown front door color goes really well with the brick, but a brighter color would draw the eye to the front door more.

I definately would not paint that stone it is beautiful and IMO what makes the house. As for the piece you don’t like you will need to get help figuring out what is structural and to raise that will involve work on the roof so be prepared to spend $$$$. IMo the first step would be to remove the driveway to no where and for now just paint that piece the same as the trim

Your exterior house is really nice . It’s proportional has just enough features but isn’t overwhelming. The beam is a little wonky . I think this house is a prime candidate for white brick and black windows .

I've lived with this yellow brick for 10 years, with semi-regular power wash and enzymatic cleaning, and I'm done as far as the color. There are several not so pretty repairs to the stone window surrounds and to the brick, that were done over the early years (I'm guessing) on this 80 year old house (1300 sq ft), that would "disappear" if it was painted. The decision to use opaque lime-based European paint is set, just not the scheduling of it...and the hardscape surfaces will get a fresh power wash when the brick is cleaned in prep for paint. The newly painted trim is deep green, and the shingles are brand new. We also just replaced numerous wood windows. We park in the driveway, there is no garage. Sometimes we park in the street and the grandkids play in the driveway (back patio is gravel, back yard is veggies). I like the idea of using metal on a porch roof that begins higher up the roof slope and has itself less slope. How would standing seam look with the finishes we have/will have? Would a small porch dormer above the front door change the load for that beam, allowing it to be smaller? How might the cost and complexity of these options compare to mere replacement steel beam, and no extension in depth? I'm fine with simple, and great with less $$, the goal being to find an attractive but conservative way to minimize that overhang and open up the front of the house & window that it is hiding. Thank you everyone!

I'm not someone who hesitates about painting brick, but IMO simply pressure washing your brick alone might be all your exterior requires. I like the brick and stone details on your home as is.

It's been pressure washed (and enzyme cleaned) before; the yellow color of the brick (it was a popular color in this neighborhood 80 years ago) does not change. In fact, it looks yellower when it is clean. And it will be washed again, right before it gets painted. The stone in your photo is very pretty. If it was mine, I too would not paint that! But even then, I'd still have an issue with my porch beam.

If you do wish to change the color then limewash, which will not peel like paint, is the material to choose

What I am confused about, is why is that the support beam and not the wall behind it? I've never saw a beam go across a porch like that. Have you had a structural engineer out to see the house?

Good luck resolving your issue. It is a charming house.

Here's a mix of shingles with a metal roof. Click the link for a straight on view of it.

View from the Front · More Info

BeverlyFLADeziner Romabio makes mineral based opaque exterior (and interior) paints, as well as their limewash. I mention it in my original post. I lean toward the Avoiro white, though they can do custom colors and color matching. I can see you and I think alike :-)

I am also not understanding how that beam outside the house is structural, but I am not an architect. Can you box in the metal decorative column? Or remove it if the beam is not structural? I get that you are tired of the color and I think it will look beautiful if you limewash it. It’s a pretty house!! I would possibly remove the small hedge and do some pretty flowers.