I need help with updating the exterior of our house, please.

2 years ago

We are getting new siding and a new roof so thought we would update at the same time. What suggestions and feedback can you provide? We are thinking that we'll get straight edge shake shingles for the entire front. We are planning to replace the half round windows with rectangular windows, which would be the height of half of the width of the windows below it. For example, the window on the first floor is 48 inches wide, so the new rectangular window above will be 24 inches tall and 48 inches wide. Does that seem correct? Also we will replace the columns with a more substantial square version. Thoughts on that? What trim and color recommendations do you have? And should we paint the brick? I'm having trouble visualizing all of this and don't want to make a mistake. Any ideas, feedback or suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Beth H. :
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
you have some nice ideas, you just need to dial them down a bit.

What colors do you want? your roof is a neutral charcoal (I think) so you could go w/just about any combo.

I would remove the shutters.

think about painting the garage doors and /or adding some hardware to them.

new lighting

The brick is up to you. Is it just on the front?

do you have a picture that is closer? the photo above is very small. can't even make out the door or the brick.

just a few updated versions

just to show you one where they went w/a dark siding color and kept the brick. no shutters. I'm glad you're changing the arch window. wish they would have done it here

BTW, similar home style. the poster went w/Romabio bianco lime wash on the brick. the other colors were SW Summit Gray and Extra White

for a heavier coverage, go w/the Masonry Flat. comes in many colors
bosov
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Thank you so much for the quick reply! We are replacing the roof with a pewter color, which is slightly darker than the current roof color. The brick is red. I've included two more pictures hoping that will help. If we remove the shutters, should we add a thicker trim around the windows? Thanks again!
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houssaon
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The current posts are right for your house. If you think that they are too thin, beef them up with wooden cladding.

I would not do windows like that. I think that they will be way out of scale. (Without shutters, it looks a bit better.)

Rather, fill in the area where the half moon windows are.
bosov
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you! I really appreciate the visual and agree that the windows in the first picture are not good. Would it look any better if it were just one window replacing the half round? I hate to reduce the amount of light we have in our house. Thanks again!!
PRO
Beth H. :
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
can you post a picture of the roof color you're getter? pewter can have blue/gray tones, or brown tones

Right now, in your picture, I see regular red brick paired w/a very cool tone siding color. almost looks like a lavender gray. which direction is the front of your house facing? North? East?

let me show you a few before and afters , some of which have the replaced windows. see what you're drawn too

this frist one did exactly what you want to do to your arch windows. Doesn't look bad. a slightly diff style home though. I like the addition in the gables, the painted brick, updated front door

another one w/the rectangles. don't care for it here. I'd do a larger window (black one) and close up the rest of it

this one is similar. they removed the arch and didn't replace it. covered it w/the shake. limewashed the brick, took down the arched entryway. added the shutters. looks a bit more french country

a bit more modern w/the black windows, wood garage door. new windows

(Rombio Classico on the brick)

They kept the arch, but removed the grids. along w/the painted brick, wood accents, black windows, it really looks updated