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Remodeling Design Dilemma Exterior

70's House exterior update ideas needed

2 years ago

I just bought this 1979 house on a lake. We are doing an entire remodel inside and out. I would love some input on how to make it more modern and interesting. Here is what it looks like and the rendering we have so far. The area around the front door is shown as stained wood but I'm worried that it will fade. What other materials can give the same look? Trex? Tile that is wood grain? What, if anything, to do with the big blank wall on the right?

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Comments (5)

houssaon
2 years ago
Your house looks pretty good to me. If the siding is in good condition, I would leave it. If it needs to be painted or stained, you should go ahead with that project. I would not replace the wood unless absolutely necessary.

I would do a much lighter brighter door color. Yellow or orange would look good.

You could plant a small ornamental tree or a bush that grow tall. Something like a variegated red twig dogwood.
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Carla NN thanked houssaon
apple_pie_order
2 years ago
Please check the scaling and measurements on the drawing. Something is off. Try making and showing a drawing "as is" and then new versions with your ideas for changes.

Where is the current garage entrance?
Carla NN thanked apple_pie_order
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I am not a designer but Iooking at the house the stairs bother me. Too tall and not in proportion with the house. Could you alter so that upon exiting house one would step out onto porch then instead of stairs going straight down have one or two steps left then the stairs begin again to go down. This will move the stairs to the right when facing the house and they won't appear to be such a formidable climb. A good designer could help you choose a nice width too, not as narrow as you have now. Of course your walkway will no longer line up with stairs so that will become another project, although most of it could still be used . Adding width with another material is a good suggestion as well I agree with prior recommendations to change the siding to horizontal at least on the lower part and lose the window boxes as they are not adding to the house. If the staircase is changed an opportunity opens for a good sized box to be incorporated at the top landing in front of the entrance door
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We just went with a highly reviewed local "general home maintenance" (how their website describes them) company. They're licensed, insured, & bonded and offer a one year warranty for work. They were wonderful to work with, honestly, and the price was very reasonable in my opinion. No, our siding is cedar bevel / clapboard. Before/after pics attached. They removed the rotten pieces and replaced them without damaging any of the the original siding that was still in good shape. They checked for any damage to the original underlayment when removing the siding or mold. Much to my surprise, they said everything there still looked great so didn't think any more work was needed than just the few damaged/rotten boards. You can't visually tell where the work was done, it blends in seamlessly. We also had them replace some rotten trim around the clerestory windows. They painted the new trim and siding boards with a paint we color-matched within a few days. However, I believe cedar siding doesn't actually need to be painted or treated (pros can correct me if I'm wrong) so I wouldn't think it's an issue if you don't paint right away.
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Carla NN
Original Author
2 years ago
@apple_pie_order I think it looks off because the angles of view are so different. The garage opening is on the right side of the garage as it is shown in the rendering. Actually, there is a garage door on both sides of the garage so one may drive through. My designers made the drawing so it is probably correct.
calidesign
2 years ago
If you don't want windows on the right side of the house, you can just plant taller shrubs in that space. I don't like the two different shaped windows on the left side of the house in your rendering. If you're adding those horizontal rectangular windows in the bump out, then use the same shaped windows below on the garage. You can place them higher on the wall so people can't look into the garage to see if you're home.
houssaon
2 years ago
Why a dormer of windows over the garage? If you are adding a room, make sure there is enough head room. If you are changing the siding, I like the look of board and batten.

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