I need advice for updating/improving the exterior of this home.
8 years ago
We are looking at purchasing this house. The interior has been updated to a good standard and has what we need. However the exterior is pretty awful and would need some work. What can you suggest? It looks to be Vinyl cladding with brown aluminium windows. I would love some advice on how we could update the exterior and what sort of cost would be involved.
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8 years agoRelated Discussions
Need advice for updating awful, dated faux federation!
Comments (30)ensimpson, Please do not render that brick. It is quite a nice brick and render can look very cheap and often done poorly cracks and looks even worse. If you don't like the dutch cables, you can go about removing them. These are not primary roof structure typically, but there will be a little work in making good the roof where they were. Alternatively, give these gables a function, place a fixed louvre, like you have shown in the attached image and allow the roof to vent through them. This will also impact the comfort of the home as there will be less heat buildup in the roof cavity. I agree with the comment above, the driveway is very prominent. This is partly the perspective of this image, but you could consider options for the driveway paving. I do not think painting grey is a good one. Repaving with a natural grey material could be as there would be more life and texture to it, but it is an expensive one....See MoreExterior update advice please
Comments (8)Just paint the windows and facia/gutters white. Brick is fine as is the window configurations and style. The new timber if kept oiled will be a good contrast with the original dwelling. Keep landscaping, this is the key to a great house as is basic maintenance....See MoreAdvice needed! How can the front facade be improved?
Comments (4)It is always a challenge working with a house that has been subject to lots of renovations over the past, some of which may not have been given enough design consideration. At the moment you have a bit of a mish-mash of colours and materials that are working against each other. Without knowing your budget I would consider two approaches to improve the look of your home cost-effectively: 1) Simplify the palette of materials and colours. At the moment it looks like you have face brickwork, render, weatherboard, fibro sheet with contrasting battens and a steel roof. By replacing the fibro sheet with a weatherboard to match the lower half, then painting all of the walls a consistant colour will make the house seem a bit more together, and less busy. With such a busy mix of materials you don't need any contrast or features standing out - so a monochomatic approach is best. 2) You have a huge amount of grey concrete which is great for cars, but isn't adding anything to the look of the house. Reduce the concrete area by at least 50%, especially if it is hard up against the house, and replace with mulched garden beds and planting that is appropriate for your location to soften the look. Best of luck Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls...See MoreExterior update advice needed!
Comments (6)Just as a matter of interest , how do you find out where someone is based ? Anyway , like 98% of places , I reckon it needs colour . Grey and white ARE NOT colours -- they are what you use if you can't be bothered haha . The basic bones are okay , and personally altering the doorway or the roof would be way down my list of things to do . Here's roughly what I'd do -- -- paint the base in charcoal , and the wooden fence or gate on the right hand side also in charcoal . -- paint the lower square of the front door in a bright orange or yellow or red . Maybe do the handrail in that colour too , but the problem is its pretty basic , and although colour will highlight it , it will also highlight the basicness . Those 2 things will freshen everything , and look way better than doing the shutters in black IMO . Then do some rock gardens ( even say 3 smaller gardens , each a different shape and using different colour stones ) , with flaxes and conifers and clumps of grasses and maybe even a tall cactus -- greens and browns and reds and wheat coloured leaves . No flowers or roses okay ? And a path made from those aggregate stone pavers . All designed to add interest and tie everything together but also make the lawn look tidier . Add a lowish white picket fence and a trendy letterbox . Look like you live there , not just rent it ....See More
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
Think about recladding in colorbond - economical and no future painting. Mix the materials up as well.
Glenda Whitbourn thanked LesleyH- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
juliahocking