skip to main content

Paint Building a Home Exterior

Any foundation wall finish advice?

last month

We had the foundation poured with a brick pattern and thought it would look good with our exterior colors. It needs something. Any advice would be appreciated. Originally thought about paint or stain but contractor recommended against it. Could do stone veneer but already over budget.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last month
What does your contractor recommend?
Joe Blow
Original Author
last month
He mentioned possibly a stucco or some type of veneer... just said he hadnt seen a concrete paint or stain that looks good over time
Related Discussions
Basement Finishing, Brick Foundation Walls
Q
Comments (1)
You may have to re-point the exposed brick walls to reduce drafts in cold months. And it usually pays to insulate and cover the rim joists. Exposed brick walls for a modern look Photo: Trendir.com
...See More
Need advice on concrete slab foundation repair
Q
Comments (7)
The post above carlos229 is not the OP. One thing I was going to point out about the difference in cost: If you divide the total cost by the proposed # of piers, you get $1600/pier for one contractor and $1700 for the other. So their rate per pier is not far off at all. I did the same thing with foam jacking my sinking driveway. Had estimates from $980 all the way to $2200. Each estimated an amount of foam plus a per-pound price if they went over. I calculated the cost if everyone used the same amount as the highest estimate, and the estimates came out within a couple hundred bucks of each other at that point. So I picked the guy I liked best. He wasn't the cheapest one but it didn't make that much difference. Question is how many piers you need, and I can't help with that. I liked the idea of hiring someone who has no stake in the game to tell you want you need.
...See More
Foundation support advice needed
Q
Comments (4)
It can be done. Looks like a reworked/re-purposed porch that used 4x4 treated post for the foundation. It appears as if the 2x4's were just used to hold the plywood skirting. If this is the case. A steel I beam or 4x4 post could be slid under the joist behind the wall (back about 24" from the outside wall. Cribbing and jacks then used to raise the room slightly (enough to remove all of the wood) and support the room. Now it gets expensive.. Trench it for a concrete footer to be poured. Lay block, cap block and Ground contact treated 2x8 on top of it for the wall to be lowered onto. Remove the beam and cribbing. It takes a person in the know, some careful planning and measuring in order to get the room to sit level on top of the new foundation once lowered onto it. Only people that should tackle such a project are ones that work in the concrete and block laying industry with experience in constructing block foundations. ==== And to add>> >> If you jack a room or house up enough to remove the old foundation and install new. Some sheetrock damage on the inside walls may occur and should be expected..
...See More
Finishing Living Room - Any Thoughts, Advice?
Q
Comments (10)
ACDR - I don't understand your recommendation of floating the sofa so the back would face people entering the formal living area. It would also create a relatively narrow passage into that area and leave an empty wall where the sofa now is. Is there some functional or aesthetic reason for the suggestion? I don't really have a wall opposite the sofa wall - I have a large cabinet with open spaces on each side which is a room divider in terms of differentiating the office/den area from the dining/living area. It is the wood piece that appears in the last photo but I will include some additional photos. It's difficult to get a photo of the entire room in one shot :-) I've included additional pictures including the rendering of the design of the room divider/cabinet Again - I am still in the process of moving in - hence the boxes and stuff still not put away :-) This would be the rendering of the design looking into the kitchen/dining area This is the actual cabinet room divider - there are approximately equal open sides on each side which open into the office/den
...See More
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last month
That is good advice.
K L
last month
Ugh! I feel your pain! Too bad the contractor didn't think about the color of the concrete when he was pouring it, especially since the concrete is SO visible. I do think it was smart to use a form that makes a brick look. I have a block pattern put on my foundation. In your vision, what color would you make the foundation if you could? The mud color? Any chance it will age nicely? Any chance the foundation plantings will cover it? Any chance you will be adding a patio or other concrete that will help it fit in? Any chance you can live with it awhile to see if it ages ok? If not, maybe you can add stone veneer later.
K L
last month
Ugh! I feel your pain! Too bad the contractor didn't think about the color of the concrete when he was pouring it, especially since the concrete is SO visible. I do think it was smart to use a form that makes a brick look. I have a block pattern put on my foundation. In your vision, what color would you make the foundation if you could? The mud color? Any chance it will age nicely? Any chance the foundation plantings will cover it? Any chance you will be adding a patio or other concrete that will help it fit in? Any chance you can live with it awhile to see if it ages ok? If not, maybe you can add stone veneer later.
Joe Blow
Original Author
last month
Once we put in septic we will grade up and hide some of the height you see currently. We can probably hide some with landscaping but the licht concrete is so stark i think it needs something even if we had mature landscaping.
Sigrid
last month
Foundation shrubs
cat_ky
last month
I would like that foundation the same color as your house is. I have to agree with you, its too stark. It may be more maintenance, but, I would paint it.
K L
last month
Been thinking about this... How about this plan. Shop around for the stone veneer you hope to put on. Choose a paint color as close to the stone color as you can get, a dark charcoal grey maybe? Paint the foundation. Save up for the veneer.
WestCoast Hopeful
last month
On the backside of our house there is more exposed concrete than I imagined. We are working on adding more plants to help with it. But we will keep them in pots as I don’t want plants right up against the house
functionthenlook
last month
I don't like concrete stain either. It acts more of a paint than a stain. I've used it before and it doesn't last. I know it sounds unorthodox, but I use wood stain on concrete. I've done a driveway and walkway with wood stain and it held up well. It doesn't chip or peel like paint. I also used wood stain on the concrete figures I have in the yard at camp.
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
last month
Concrete is porous. I'd recommend waterproofing of the above-grade portion of the foundation as well as below grade--albeit with different materials. One material to consider for the exposed portion is UGL Drylok Concrete and Masonry Waterproofer which can be tinted https://www.drylok.com/products/drylok-original-masonry-waterproofer
K L
last month
Sorry. Should clarify. I said paint. I meant color. I don't know what the best colorant would be
Pavel Nikolov
7 days ago
Try sand plaster

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=148000124855002&id=100089350442197&sfnsn=mo

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES 11 Reasons to Love Wall-to-Wall Carpeting Again

By Judith Taylor Designs

Is it time to kick the hard stuff? Your feet, wallet and downstairs neighbors may be nodding

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Walls: Dry-Stacked Stone Walls Keep Their Place in the Garden

By Olander Garden Design

See an ancient building technique that’s held stone walls together without mortar for centuries

DECORATING GUIDES From the Pros: How to Paint Interior Walls

By Vanessa Brunner

A slapdash approach can lower a room's entire look, so open your eyes to this wise advice before you open a single paint can

DIY PROJECTS Houzz TV: How to Paint a Wall Like a Pro

See the tools you need and steps you should follow to get the best coverage and finish for your walls

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Timeless Pieces of Decorating Advice

Follow these tried-and-true rules and you’ll be ready for any decor situation

GREAT HOME PROJECTS What to Know About Adding a Reclaimed-Wood Wall

By Rebecca Pogson

Here’s advice on where to put it, how to find and select wood, what it might cost and how to get it done

KITCHEN DESIGN 3 Steps to Choosing Kitchen Finishes Wisely

By Vanessa Brunner

Lost your way in the field of options for countertop and cabinet finishes? This advice will put your kitchen renovation back on track

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Choose a Wall Color for a Mixed-Materials Kitchen

By Erin Carlyle

Designers offer strategies for finding the best color to bridge finishes. Find out which would work best for you

BATHROOM DESIGN 12 Ways to Make Any Bathroom Look Bigger

By Toronto Interior Design Group

These designer tricks can help you expand your space without moving any walls

WALL TREATMENTS 7 Ways to Decorate Your Walls When Painting Is Not an Option

By Morgan Province

These wall decor ideas let you be creative when you rent, despite any design restrictions you may face

Sponsored

Renovation & Home Improvement Contractor of Choice in Northern VA

More Discussions

painting the front door

8

Paint, shutters, bring up to date.

26

Flooring quesion-How to blend pocket door threshold to match floor

6

Asking about a paint color

0

what to use to paint our gross basement walls

1