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Remodeling Design Dilemma Exterior

Hardie siding on front of house and vinyl on sides/back?

last year

We're wanting to update the siding on our house and wondering if anyone has experience or seen just doing Hardie on the front and vinyl on side/back?

You see in the picture that the side and back can't really be seen due to how close our neighbors are. The sides also represent 75% of the material. Around us, a lot of the brick/stone houses have "nicer" or decorative material for front façade and plainer on the sides/back.

The siding right now is vinyl from 1998, and is a terrible cream. Overall, it just doesn't look great. Most non brick houses in the neighborhood have hardie siding.

Also, we plan to remove the bushes, upgrade landscaping, remove lattice under porch and change to something with horizontal planks, convert the balcony (only accessible via a window in the guest room) with railing to a shed roof, and paint porch/door to match whatever color siding/trim scheme we go with.

Appreciate any input or feedback.

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Comments (8)

jackowskib
last year
I think it could look nice but wondering if would make sense if it had vertical in front board and batton and horizontal siding on sides.
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Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
I like the idea of doing board and batten on one side (maybe the front?) and doing the regular, cheaper siding on the sides.

have you tried matching colors?

Obviously your sides will barely be seen, so I get where you're coming from

Color-wise, I think this would look amazing between your brick neighbors!

what are you replacing the lattice with? What if you did something like this around the bottom?

I love the brick w/the brick stairs. you could use similar red brick like the others. don't look too hard at the way the house is done, just look at the the way the stairs and foundation suport are done, along w/the blue color, and maybe the addition of wood (to warm up cooler tones) Also notice the diff styles of siding.

here's board / batten on front (which I like)

board and batten on the rear with some cedar (or cedar composite) shake in the gable portion.

board/batten on the top w/regular on the bottom, cedar posts (which I like)

Combo of both. I love this dark midnight blue color, especially between the two brick

both batten and vertical on the balcony portion.

James Hardie board and batten in the sage color w/black trim, warm wood.

how it would look between the brick. You could also do a stone base foundation instead of the brick.

Navy and crisp white. I'd do the wood porch and ceiling w/this

Just look at the colors, not the style. too modern. A deep charcoal color w/the addition of the composite wood might look nice.

plain white siding (combo of both) w/black trim, black metal overhang. instead of the lattice, I like the wood, the brick or the stone.

mixing both:

https://www.visexterior.com/blog/vertical-horizontal-siding-installation

Pros/Cons on both.

https://ashleywinndesign.com/board-and-batten-siding/

https://johnmccarterconstruction.com/horizontal-vs-vertical-siding-which-is-the-right-look-for-your-home/
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RedRyder
last year
I agree with @Beth H that the more expensive stuff in front will work for you, but the sides should match in color. You’ve gotten so many good ideas from Beth. Looking at them, I love the mixture of vertical and horizontal. And the deep blue would make your house really stand out between the brick ones!
tozmo1
last year
Where are you located? The color you chose to paint is IMO, very location specific. I'm in the Southeastern US and black or dark blue houses in this environment do not look pleasing unless the lines of the house have been reconfigured to use the color as a design element, not just an overall color. Otherwise, the house becomes just a dark blob. So if you go with a dark color, consider it as part of an overall design to make it work. Your roof doesn't show and your window trim and what will remain of the porch rail are quite slender lines. The eleventh house Beth poste works because of all the contrasting white trim. So as you decide color, consider the underside of the porch as a design element and how you will trim out the changed shed roof.

I'd not remove those bushes until you are done. They create a lot of privacy and anchor the home. Until you have your overall landscape plan, don't remove them. your plan may not accommodate them so then you can remove them.
Jj J
last year
I’m wondering if there is a view to take advantage of from that upper deck? If so, while doing the siding work, I’d change out the window to French doors and retain the upper deck.
hkavery
Original Author
last year
Thanks for the great ideas and input!

We're located in Chicago, Are neighborhood is a mix of brick, greystone, and plank siding of various colors (slate, blue, white, etc.).

View is just the houses across the street. So would rather improve the curb appeal by removing the balcony, as the proportions seems very off.

We're definitely considering B&B for the front. Potentially just above the new roof in front. Hadn't considered it for the back as well, but good idea. Matching colors seems possible based on samples I've seen, just limits options a little.
lerxst22
last year
I have the same issue and would be curious to get others' perspectives. We have a strange roofline, and since there are no peaks, what do people recommend to accent either above the garage or the area around the 3 windows on the second floor?
tozmo1
last year
Not recommending these colors, just the materials combo of shakes and siding

Vienna Craftsman Home · More Info

Another mix of shakes and siding

Craftsman Greenville Home · More Info

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