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Paint Design Dilemma Exterior

Exterior Design & Color Help (2-storey Half Brick - Half Siding)

Peter Shackleton

2 years ago

I would like to update the exterior of my mid-70's 2-storey, half red brick and half white aluminum siding home.

The process has begun because we need a new front door. We purchased the house 10+ years ago and never really liked the blue shutters and doors, so now the question is what color should the new door be and should the shutters and garage door be painted as well?

The siding is aluminum and has never been painted (and is in great shape), and I am nervous to have it painted because the maintenance is so effortless at the moment. I also imagine that the cost to paint the aluminum would be significant, but acknowledge it would have the greatest impact at changing the look of the house. Should I paint or stick with the white?

I would be interested in hearing any and all thoughts (big and small) that would give my house a facelift and bring my house into the 21st century.

(Sorry for the picture, with the plants I had no way of capturing the garage door in the image - it is the same color as the door and shutters)

Peter

Featured Answer

Lyn Nielson

2 years ago

I agree with tozmo1, remove shutters. I would do full view doors... compliment the long windows. I would pass on the blue, time for a change, greens would compliment the greenery, a Taupe with a hint of green? Hold off on the siding paint until you NEED to do it.

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Comments (8)

tozmo1
2 years ago
Remove the shutters completely, the design of the house doesn't need them. Consider getting a double door rather than side lights. Paint the garage door perhaps a green (can't really see the brick so not sure what would go with it). Then reassess whether or not to paint the siding. I painted aluminum siding 20 years ago on a house we sold. When I drive by, it still looks good. You have to make sure to use quality paint, do proper prep work and prime it before painting.
Peter Shackleton thanked tozmo1
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Peter Shackleton
Original Author
2 years ago
Interesting, I have always thought that the shutters look small and wondered if larger ones would look better, hadn't considered getting rid of them altogether. Not sure how the shutters attach or if the siding will 'look different' once they are down, but if it's bad I suppose I could always put them back up.

I have been in the house 12 years now and have never even cleaned the siding, how will I know when the aluminum NEEDS attention?

Thanks for the input!
HU-187528210
2 years ago
I agree keep the siding as is.
I would start with the landscaping. Trim it back and square it off.
I might consider adding a roof to the portico for some dimension (see photo below)

You will probably have some mark on the siding but agree to remove the shutters if possible.
....

Maybe add a pendant light by the front door.
But really very cute house!!
Peter Shackleton thanked HU-187528210
tozmo1
2 years ago
Ha, ha. Aluminum siding really is wonderful. The only reason we painted ours was because it was a horrible color, that fake redwood color. So very dated even 20 years ago. You should probably power wash the siding. Once the shutters are down, I'm sure their prior location will be noticeable since it will have no dirt underneath except for those bugs who have built their home there over the years (at least ours did). We were told that the only reason to replace aluminum siding was if the wood underneath was rotten due to water damage. If you don't have any leaking from your gutters, you are probably okay. If you ever do replace it, take it to a scrap yard for $$.
Peter Shackleton
Original Author
2 years ago
This is great feedback. I'm curious now, so I think I will try removing the shutters and see what it looks like. I like the idea of the portico a lot, the way it currently looks has always seemed a little plain to me. I will read a little more about aluminum siding maintenance and see if I can't get someone to have a look and give on honest impression of its condition and need for washing and/or painting.

P.S. Some of the plants in the garden are in dire need of pruning. A little TLC will go a long way!
chloebud
2 years ago
I agree the shutters need to go due to the window size and style. It's a great house. I think your brick would look nice with the suggestion of green for the siding. Maybe a gray/green such as in these photos, even if you go lighter. A soft white for the trim would be nice.

Also, this link might be helpful with the shutters.

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/
Peter Shackleton thanked chloebud
Peter Shackleton
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks for pics (and link), it helps to visualize. I think I am somewhat stuck with the white trim because my eaves/gutters are white and so are the vinyl windows.

If I were to keep the siding white, what color should I paint the garage?

Peter

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