How do I update outside of house?

5/30/2012 at 11:04:33 AM

What is the age of the house and what material is it made of? Most importantly, what is your budget? $5000-$50,000??

Electrilight

5/30/2012 at 11:18:28 AM

How about giving your house a facelift by applying stucco and decorative mouldings. You'll also be increasing the R-value on your wall assembly at the same time.

5/30/2012 at 11:25:34 AM

Stucco is always a good option it's very modern and does have benefits like r value and increased home value although it's expensive. If you are working with a limited budget I would keep it simple and renew the siding with a softer color use different colored corners and trims to add contrast. Then if your budget allows it add some curb appeal to the entrance of your home some interlocking stone etc...

Accu-Struct

5/30/2012 at 11:35:09 AM

Hi Marilyn,

You are right. That is a very brown house. Likely the most cost effective thing you can do to help update the look of this house is to paint it. When deciding on a colour, the things you can't ignore are the fiexed features of your house (the stuff that isn't changing). That probably includes the roof, the windows and the brick. It looks to me like you have brown windows and a brown roof.

Your options include painting over the brick or leaving it as is.

If you leave it as, that will definitely dictate the colours you use for the rest of the siding and the garage door. In the picture, the brick looks to have a pinky undertone. If that is the case you are likely going to want to tone that down so stick with neutrals and choose a colour that helps blend in the garage doors. Repeat that neutral on the siding and choose a darker trim colour for the shutters and the facia. It might still be a brown house in the end but you can definitely update the look.

If you are game for painting the brick you have way more options. I would still recommend a dark trim for the fascia and shutters so that you tie in the roof and windows but you can go to a more green based brown than a red one. Your options for the brick and siding are greater too.

Let me know if you need more help.

Good luck and congratulations on your new house.

Best regards,

Heidi Nyline

Warline Painting

5/30/2012 at 12:17:32 PM

Depending on your budget, painting is your cheapest bet.

Stucco is is good one as well or you could re side it with Hardi plank.

Or paint and new trim around windows im not a fan of brick but that brick looks good.

Good luck with what ever you decide to go with.

5/30/2012 at 2:07:49 PM

I would have to agree with some of the posters.....it would really depend on your budget.

However you can;

- paint or replace your garage doors.

- paint or replace your front door.

- paint or remove your window shutters.

- replace your fascia and eaves for a different colour.

- replace your roof shingles for a different colour.

- paint the brick....not as they do in downtown Toronto. You can paint the brick and maintain all the mortar joints as is. Its surprising how well this looks.

- stucco the front facade or entire house (personally, not my favourite approach).

- apply a thin set face stone to a portion of the front facade.

- replace your windows; change window type and colour.

- better landscaping - broaden the extent of landscaping so that it minimizes the protruding garage.

- change small details such as replacing the exterior lighting, house number, mailbox, door pulls.....all small but when combined, add that little something to the exterior.

There is not 'one thing' that you can add or do to the facade that will solve your problem rather, a series of both small and large gestures when skillfully combined, will provide you with the biggest overall impact.

You have many, many options to choose from but basically, you need to first set yourself a budget and then begin the design process.

Good Luck

5/30/2012 at 4:41:10 PM

Good Afternoon Marilyn,

We would definitely recommend to update the exterior of your new home with Stucco.

Many of our customers have chosen exactly that, for the following reasons:

-It reduces your heating costs

-No exterior cleaning needed in the long run.

(If you chose to go with siding, you'll find spiderwebs, dust, bugs, etc collecting in between the joints which will require repetitive cleaning)

-Increases the R-value, etc

Attached is a picture of a sample for you to view.

(Many colors available)

Best Regards,

Max Quick Stucco and Construction Ltd.

5/30/2012 at 9:06:21 PM

Painting is one way of changing the look. There are a lot of alternatives to choose from, but you must start with a budget and an idea. What is it that you have in mind to do?

Pacheco's Pro Painting

5/30/2012 at 11:01:25 PM

Depend on what kind of material is currently installed on the house.

Vinyl have to be replaced (not recommend to paint)

Stucco and backer are paintable.

You can also replace facial boards and gutters to bring a new look to the house.

Good luck :)

5/31/2012 at 8:59:51 AM

I think you have some nice looking brick work. As someone who previously did some brick laying, I have seen a lot more dated thats for sure.

On a budget conscious side of things I think you would be blow away with what painting your garage door, shutters, deck posts, front door and siding would do. Using more contemporary colours like slate grey with red accents on things like your door will do wonders for something that looks out of date and would cost you a fraction of what most upgrades would.

Roughly $2000-5000 depending on how much you are willing to do your self or hire out.

6/1/2012 at 10:28:37 AM

Investing 5% of your house value is a good bench mark to get everything done. Pro contractor can make it 10% value added on top of your house.

6/1/2012 at 10:00:59 PM

Did you ever thought of having a nice landscaping in front of your home? most people only focus too much on the home itself without looking at the front yard. You can greatly change the ambiance of any home with just landscaping. I have even seen houses that looks older than yours but just becuase they have good landscaping the house looked great.

You can try paint but if you are not changing a lot on the house don't bother putting things that will make it even look bad.

6/7/2012 at 5:19:45 PM

Everyone here has made excellent suggestions. You may also replace the windows and doors in your home, siding is relatively cost effective and adding some modern rock/ brick accents either real or faux will help increase the curb appeal. Landscaping will also bring out the best in the yard.

6/13/2012 at 8:34:30 PM

Hello,

Yes it seems that many of the new builds lately are going with brown. There are a few things that you can do to make your house stand out from the rest without it costing too much. If your budget is small then you could paint the brick and windows. Then pick out some landscape plants that have some color to make it really pop.

If you have a little more allowed in your budget you could change the siding to a more pleasant color and use a contrast color for the trim and replace the windows with PVC. (in the pic its hard to tell but they almost look like wood windows). Windows and Siding are relatively inexpensive and offer a nice change and even help with property value and energy costs.

Good luck with your updates!

Thank you,

Sherri & Dustin Depatie

Seamless Finishing Inc.

Office : 780-760-3852

Sherri : 780-297-0986

Dustin : 780-885-2231