Paint is acrylic and designed to seal the surface it is applied to. Brick needs to breathe. If you appy paint to your brick IT WILL PEEL EVENTUALLY. Then you will have nightmare maintenance.

Romabio Masonry Paint is more like a stain and will allow your brick to breathe.

no paint use Romabio https://romabio.com/masonry/

Masonry Flat (BioDomus I)

For a flat, solid, and permanent finish with natural beauty, choose Masonry Flat. It is extremely durable, can be tinted to the color of your choice, and lasts 20 years with no peeling or chipping off.

It is 2 coat system (no additional primer) for unpainted, absorbent brick or stone. For all other surface types, you must use BioGrip Micro Primer as a first coat, then add 1-2 coats of Masonry Flat.

Masonry Textured (BioDomus II)

For a flat, solid, and permanent finish with aggregate that creates a slight texture, choose Masonry Textured. It is extremely durable, can be tinted to the color of your choice, and lasts 20 years with no peeling or chipping off.

Masonry Textured will look slightly different than Masonry Flat because it contains aggregate. On rough brick, it will create a smoother finish, but on smooth brick it will create a slight texture. It works great for smoothing rough concrete, cinder block, or other rough masonry surfaces, as it will fill in and help the surface to appear softer and more uniform. It can also create a stucco-like finish with paint, used as a thick finish coat. More details in TDS.

It’s a 2 coat system (no additional primer) for unpainted, absorbent brick or stone. For all other surface types, you must use BioGrip Micro Primer as a first coat primer, then add 1-2 coats of Masonry Textured.

BTW you could simply stain/paint the stone instead of replacing it. I would save the money

Here are some examples of stone that have be restained with Romabio Limewash

The porch add on will have issues with pitch, water management, interference with windows, flashing, the bay protruberance that needs to go away, and several other construction details. Get that figured out first. Before you figure out that you don’t paint brick. Or add a porch to that house.

I agree it’s odd to have a craftsman porch on that house. I’d try to get something that matches better.

@roccouple @PPF.

How so? It was designed by an architect who designs for many of the top builders in the Chicago suburbs. Also, my wife really likes it.......

if your wife and you like it that’s what matters most. But if you ask me the porch is pure craftsman and your house isn’t even a little craftsman.

craftsman is sort of the go to style in new developments these days. so it’s not surprising that your architect went that way. I like craftsman but it’s often poorly executed in new builds IMO. i don’t know the style of your house but I like it better than the modern new build craftsman style. I think a much simpler porch with straight columns. here are some images of things I think could be better.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorian-brick-house-with-porches-traditional-floor-plan-with-bay-window/141133235637?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338683863&customid=141133235637_11700&toolid=11000&pageci=b38592b0-7ed7-44fd-879c-461111b03b6e

http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgrm/fullset/2011/6/29/2/DesignLens_tudor-home-style_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.960.jpeg

@roccouple @PPF.

Thanks for the feedback. I see what you're saying, and it's been a gut feeling I've had, as evidenced by the original post. Bad news for me is that the foundation is already poured and we're already permitted.

Below is the original inspo picture, with the intent to go with a more transitional style. Any ideas on how to blend the two structures together more closely? ie: ditch the tapered columns for squared, etc?

I like the inspiration much better. just simplifying the posts could help. But I’m no architect. Maybe your architect couldhelp you make subtle changes.

Would not paint the brick. Whatever you paint will inevitably need to be repainted and begin to look awful as it gets there. If you feel you must change the color, do go with the (BeverlyFLADeziner) pro recommendations so you maximize the duration of the color change and minimize upkeep.

If you want a front porch all the way across the front of the house, you should have one. Any porch added could be removed by a subsequent buyer if they're a style purist.

Like the look of the brick myself but if you don't, you could minimize the visual impact of it with the right kind of porch roof -- such as if you begin the porch roof immediately beneath the upstairs windows, especially on that left side.

You could remove the stone from the center tower and then extend the entire center tower's forward facing gable and roof -- and the front exterior upstairs wall -- forward. You'd be increasing the size of that one upstairs room behind the center tower and keeping a forward facing gable atop it or creating a space for a balcony atop the front entry. Then you could create a shed roof at least on the left side, preferably with a hip corner on the end -- each end if you extend the porch over the bay window.

We have made a few changes on the rendering based on some of the suggestions made. We will also be removing the hand rails. My question: gable or no gable?

If we do a gable, it will most likely be a cathedral ceiling with decorative pediments across all of the gables on both the porch and the house. The porch roof will be Pac-Clad standing-seam roof. Renderings below:

Thanks in advance!

I like it. I personally vote no gable. And I’m pro hand rails.

I like the first one without the gable because it doesn’t detract from the window on the original house. I also like the simpler columns. Well done!

Much much better. I prefer no gable.

Railings may be required by Code.

I'd leave off the gable that conflicts with the roof gables.

Your steep face gables, higher than the roof, give your house a Gothic Revival flavour. It's a type of Victorian style. Obviously not as extreme as the yellow brick house shown here. Scroll to the right.

https://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/~infocom/scndempr/school.html

Makes me want to put a bit of wood trim somewhere.

https://www.adrianarchitecture.org/glossary#dormers

Scroll down to the 3-gable Stratford ones which are quite similar to yours, since they are mostly brick. Interestingly, yellow brick was produced locally so often used. Much like yours.

http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/gothicrevival.html

Looking at these lovely homes, I would not put stone in the middle but make it all the same brick.

No gable and remove the stone and replace it with the same brick as the rest of the house. The old saying of less is more holds true for houses too.

Your new rendering is much better and more in keeping with the house.

If your porch is I think it's 36" above the ground you will need railings. Better check what code is there.

The style of the house is Neo-Tudor so a porch of any kind would be contrary to the style, however, I think it will improve the appearance of the house.

Whatever you do to the center tower element, it should reduce its dominance on the facade and it shouldn't be rustic. Perhaps it could be brick to match the rest of the house or larger formal masonry units.

There should be 36" high guards on the porch whether they are required by code or not. You probably don't need both a guard and handrail at the steps.

Like the revised posts; however, they look thin and visually weak to me. Have you explored different width posts?

Better without gable.

Thanks all for the great feedback--Super helpful.

@res2architect Valid point. We've been going back and forth on brick and stone, but will likely go with dimensional stone in either of the two options with Agreeable Gray painted brick (using Romabio). Any other stone types we should be considering?

Halquist Chalet Gray

Buechel Stratford Cross

@Patrick A--Was thinking the same on the post width. Thoughts on doubling up the posts? Or stick with one and make it wider?

One wide post or boxed post. I like the stone that doesn't look as tumbled or worn. So my vote is for picture number 2

No gable on the porch, all brick and then stone on the foundation and wider posts.

Agreed. No gable, all brick on the facade.

Yes, no gable and so glad you aren't doing tapered columns!

Hi all--The battle on gable vs no gable is somehow still going on despite everybody's feedback.

Thoughts on a potential compromise below?

That's craftsman style gable trim. Not sold on craftsman details for your house.

No. The open gable makes no sense with the existing house.

You need a railing with exterior stairs especially in Chicago. Otherwise, up your insurance coverage; have you heard about Cook County jury awards for injuries?

Agree with the comments. In the end, I think we will go with the “flat” roofline, which is actually a 2 in 12 pitch. With 11 inch columns and an iron handrail.

Check roofing warranty with a 2/12 pitch.

Wow! That turned out so beautiful! Aren't you happy with the simple roof line. It really shows off the beauty of the house! Which stone brand and color did you use on the porch apron? What color did you use to paint the brick?

Doesn't get any better then that! You guys did a great job

Looks great. I also like the change in your windows on the second floor.

@K H We couldn't be happier with the stone. See below:

https://www.halquiststone.com/nationwide-products/building-stone/castlestone-collection/dimensional-chalet-grey