You have some great bricks there I would never render them. They have a great colour and life to them and contribute to the character of the your home. Many contemporary bricks don't have the same variations that your bricks do, so look boring by comparison.

Your bricks were selected as they provide texture and drama to the elevation, which is sadly lacking in many contemporary homes, which is why stack stonework is so commonly added as a feature today.

Your first decision should be the windows - are you looking to replace them as the opening mechanism is worn out, or to replace with more thermally efficient windows, or just because you don't like the look of them?

When replacing aluminium windows you should always replace with more thermally efficient windows, so consider double glazing with thermally-broken frames to minimise temperature transfer between inside and outside.

I would chose one of the darker Colorbond colours that complements your brickwork, and perhaps address the windows in the rooms that face the street first as your budget allows. Spend your render budget on better quality windows which will see an improvement in the thermal comfort of your home in summer and winter, and will reduce your heating and cooling bills.

Once you have selected your window frame finish then look at painting the trim, gutters, garage door etc (but not the brickwork), and look at some of the dark Colorbond colours as a starting point as they work well externally with brickwork such as yours.

Celebrate the house that you have, and don't try to "modernise" it with render as there are too many houses of this period who have had their existing character blanked out forever by render.

Best of luck with your paint selections,

Dr Retro

of

Dr Retro House Calls

Thank you that's some great ideas, insulation from heat is a priority on the Gold Coast so some window quotes may be first on the agenda.

it's great looking brick house don't change the original style with render..just paint all the cream white ...except the downpipes that should to match the bricks..(Colorbond Surfmist is a good grey toned whited) clean and repoint the bricks if necessary and plan to replace windows with suitable double glazing as funds allow...but, before installing new windows, think about the present floorplan and decide if you could use some extra outdoor living areas and maybe there's a an opportunity to have sliding doors out to a new deck (much better investment than render)...then, you have to decide on the colour of the new windows!! (i like the dark bronze with the clinker bricks and also consider silver (anodized aluminium) or white as all three colours would be suitable to maintain the original style of the house

Thanks oklouise, there is a great deck on the side of the house but its all the clinker with bronze windows, so as nice as the deck is, the house looks dull. Its great both responses to my question say embrace the clinker! Windows and doors look to be the issue, especially the grill security mesh and colour.

what a great deck... now all you have to do is upgrade the windows and sliding doors and invest in security flyscreens without the crisscross grilles but do you have problems with flies and midges?? consider screening the outside of the deck instead of the doors and windows for perfect indoor outdoor living

New windows and a repaint. Change the security screens, are they really necessary? I'd say not its just what the flyscreen supplier had available at the time.......

Actually don't mind the bronze! But definitely upgrade them as noted by Dr.

Don't render as thats not a problem with the house. The brickwork makes the house.

Repaint facias and underside of porch Shale Grey. Shale is better as a white maybe too striking. Paint remaining cladding say Jasper or Gully. Still that brown on brown but better than the repetitive 50 shades of mid grey we currently have.

That deck area is awesome and on the Gold Coast! Jealous much!

Thankyou. Security screens an absolute necessity. Attempted break in recently. Quietest street in the world but there are no exceptions for robbers.

So crimsafe or something else a must. Also any screens a must for mozzies and midges.

Will check out your colors, hadn't thought of the grey tones, and there is a lot of grey in the clinker to pick it up.

Once again so glad to hear keep the clinker, Gold Coast style influenced render thoughts. Should just embrace the era.

This is my first time post on houzz, great help and posts.

Thanks Kim and Ruth BT. Iooked up the Resene colours and loved the Ironsand.

Unfortunately the pillars and door have been lacquered with about a million coats of gloss so may be a job for another day but love the idea of a turquoise door. Who knew! Will talk to the painter when I get to quotes.

I have painted the side fences Dulux Monument,which I love, that seems like a similar colour to the Resene Ironsand when looking online. Or am I mistaken.

The downpipes are in ridiculous positions for an underground tank thats been problematic from move in. No access to check it or clean so the pump blocks. Might be removing that at some stage but thats another day story.

Love all the ideas.