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How do I render my '90s apricot brick house?

frangipanisaremyfaveflower

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We bought this house a few years ago and hubby promised me we could render it as part of a “Hamptons” renovation, as I really hate the colours of the outside. We’ve been told by a couple of friends that it’s a bad idea to render cream bricks as they have too much lime in them and the render won’t stick. Is this true? Ideas for making over this tired outside would be very welcome! The tiles have to stay as they are. Clay tiles apparently are like gold according to my husband! Everything else, the window frames, the bricks, gutters, paving etc etc is up for possible updating.

Featured Answer

me me

3 years ago

I would keep the bricks as they are. Repaint the trims, repave and landscape.

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Comments (8)

PRO
MB Design & Drafting
3 years ago
Terracotta tile looks great. Keep it!

The brick is ok but so much of it and it also nearly matches your pool and driveway paving....

I'd consider painting the brick white. If you can perhaps a light bagging to fill in to level the mortar joints then paint. This is the most amazing finish when done well. Better than the blandness of smooth render.

I would look at using some 'wet dash' render to fence. Not all of it, just as a feature against bagged render on the piers perhaps. Paint fence palings white as well.
frangipanisaremyfaveflower
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the suggestion MB Design & Drafting. I agree render might look a bit bland as there will be big expanses of it! We will be getting rid of the ghastly paving eventually and replacing with travertine slabs.
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Sorry for the delay coming back to you all and thanks for all the input so far! We had our second baby just after posting this so have been distracted since :-) Thanks for all the suggestions and photos I think you are all spot on and I just need to get rid of the terracotta and brown as much as possible. I've got some colour test tins from bunnings so when I can I'm going to try out the following scheme and will post back: Windows - Really not sure? Black/White/Silver? Roof - Monument or Woodland Grey Garage doors - Monument or Woodland Grey Gutters - Monument or Woodland Grey Fascia - Shale grey Eaves/poles - Shale grey Downpipes - Monument or Woodland Grey Driveway/Tiled area - Respray or stencil in some sort of mid grey (the tiles are all cracked anyway). Something like attached. Back paving - Adbri Eurostone in Zurich - http://www.adbrimasonry.com.au/homeowner/paving/see-all-paving/euro-stone - photo attached Couple of questions: Can you paint split face block work and it sticks ok? I didn't think you could if not will render I love exposed aggregate but didn't think you could recoat in this format? It doesn’t seem that common in Sydney compared to Melbourne. Really not sure on window colour and would love some ideas? Other things: Definitely planning on getting an awning once new pavers are down Windows I will get quotes to replace but if too expensive will get a specialist painter for now Zurich is on the right. It's a light grey paver with an exposed aggregate. Available in 400 x 400 and 600 x 400 Cheers, Frank
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It’s like wanting curly hair. I look at my house and it’s a 50.’ S bungalow and has been bagged and painted. I bought it that way 20 years ago love it and can’t imagine it not like that. I look at the house down the road, same vintage single storey and they have done a faux French provincial update to facade even adding parapet walls hiding the original roof line. Someone likes that, but it ain’t me. But I don’t own it so they can do what they like and I can look the other way. People have been painting, bagging and rendering brick for a long time and it’s not brought the world down. Long and short. If you like it do it.
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Render isn't much different in tone to the brick , so won't achieve much IMO . In fact , if you look at photo there are shadows and shading -- you'll get those on render too . The timber is nice too , and that entrance with the high focal point works too . The roof colour isn't all that coastal , but its not bad either . So what does that leave ? What isn't all that coastal ? Ummmm -- yep , the garden ! The path leading to the front door -- do a taller garden on the left hand side -- conifers and flaxes and stones and grasses . Maybe another palm , in the middle of the lawn ( the one partially seen might even be your neighbours ? If hubby is a brickie , is he up for your stone front fence ? Similar but different skills , but will save a heap of labour if he can . Or even white bricks -- that , with the battens the same tones as your trim , will tie it all in . In fact , I think all stone would not tie in with the house , unless you add some stone to the house too -- and then you'd ask why ? And why not do a white life ring somewhere along the battens on the front fence ? If it looks tacky , take it down haha , but worth a try to get more of a coastal vibe ?
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C P
3 years ago
I suggest you look at Adore Magazine on Instagram. She has a cream brick house and has done light render on it which looks really good.
Also look at 3 Birds Renovation for their Hamptons makeover
User
3 years ago
The three things I like are the bricks , the tiles , and the overall style and even 'class' of the place . What I dislike is the yellowy beige ( in fact it has a pink tinge in some lights ) -- shocking haha ! And likewise that blue doesn't suit .

For a starter , I'd do everything ( yes , the fence and pillars and caps -- everything ) that is beigey in a crisper white . The blue probably depends on your preference -- a darker almost royal blue may look okay , similarly so may a charcoal ( remember , the sharp white will contrast , and bring out the brick and tile tones too ) . Even a nice orange -- citrus doesn't suit the house style , but apricot is too wimpy against the bricks IMO ) .

Fresh and crisp and clean with a sense of style .
Sue Gelade
3 years ago
Hi

we had a same colour brick and same terracotta roofed house a while ago. Left roof as too hard to change and got the house rendered with a very pale sorta greenish render (I think acrylic based over a thin ‘scratch’ coat). Had new black framed windows added. 10 years on I’ve driven passed it and still looks like new.
jodyscholz1
3 years ago
Hey Jodes! I have similar problem. not on large scale like yours but I’m planning on putting wooden batterns and creepers and new windows so it’s more freo and modern like. You could do same paint some and cover some . Also mix with other textiles like cutout sheet metal

jody x

catch up with me and I’ll show u ideas
design_quest
3 years ago
Hi Jody, I also have a brick house and I am toying with exactly the same ideas as you have - instead of all render, mixing it up with timber battens, a corten steel or other metal feature plus render. Would love to see your ideas!
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