Redesign the exterior of a two-storey red brick house
Everyone thinks we bought a block of units! It's so boxy, the top actually is an exact duplicate of the ground floor (it was a rare bargain that we decided would also be a challenge).
How would you go about redesigning and fixing the exterior facade of something like this?
I'm contemplating making it a red, light taupe and white colour scheme.
Comments (24)
bigreader
last yearRelated Discussions
60's red brick farm house
Comments (30)Hi Amelia Like the fine lines of the house with the right planting and garden it will look stunning There may be a few things you would like to consider; 1. Its difficult to tell from the photos but I would check that the ceiling veranda lining is not asbestos - The jointing strips of the lining looks reminiscent of how they used to join that horrible material. Get a professional asbestos remover in to check and follow their advice in getting rid of the stuff. 2. The roof tiles are dark and will absorb heat, they will most likely brake in a heavy hail storm (unless their are really good 'terra cotta' ones like Wonderlicht) and also can let possum and other vermin in, (possum are notorious for lifting tiles) and if you do not have insulation and sizalation on the roof this is the time to put some in - and in the ceilings should you be missing some there. Because now you will have a zincalume roof it is good to earth your electrical system and the roof so that all current overloads are taken to the ground, a good electrician will solve this problem. Also if the roof is replaced with zincalume you should check your "Holding Down" straps to the roof. Because the roof was designed for a tile roof there is always the possibility that the "holding Down" straps were not included or are sparse. Because you are going to a lighter zincalume roof these are to checked and increased or included if missing, especially as you may be in an open area were winds can pick up considerably. 3. Its good that you have north facing veranda's to shield you from the summer sun, and what appears to be a concrete floor with tiles on the veranda. I would not replace it with timber decking simply because concrete does not burn in a fire - and if you are in the country there is always the possibility of fire. However some large white or of white tiles say 500x350 or thereabouts resemble flagstones could be good as long as they are very light in color and rectangular in shape. Maybe something resembling a very light sandstone may give more to a country ambiance than the small bathroom tiles of the 50's. Also I would bring out a roof over the front steps ending it with a "or gable end" pitched end" and provide a nice handrail in the middle and pave the bottom of the steps and area to provide a solid end to the steps using the same tiles as the veranda. 4. The existing aluminum windows are certainly and eyesore and not energy efficient in the slightest. An investment in new double glazed timber windows (Not cedar as cocky's like to eat the frames) or powder-coated white aluminum double glazed windows with "Thermal Break" - which are highly energy efficient would return money in energy savings and look great, especially if your frames are around 50 mm in width or greater. 5. I would not touch the bricks - just use very light colours in the veranda and the, doors, window and frames veranda posts. The garden will hide the brickwork below the veranda level making the roof and the lighter units the main features to stand out. The darker bricks will recede. Hoping this is of some benefit Regards Michael Manias...See MoreHelp with exterior cladding two storey home with river frontage
Comments (5)Your designer should be able to suggest some ideas, but a lot will depend on your budget, and the slope of the land. If the rear of the house is very elevated to make the most of the views, you would be better off with lightweight construction that can be maintained easily from your balconies, rather than masonry construction, which can get expensive if you are a long way above the natural ground level. So you need to consider your budget, the height of the building, the surrounding environment (urban or rural), how it looks from the river, the orientation, your climate, and how close the new building is above the flood level. Best of luck with your considerations, Regards Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls....See MoreExterior Paint Colour for 2 Story Weatherboard House
Comments (27)Progress report…have gone against general consensus and opted for moving away from the traditional colours. The painting is not yet completed but am personally loving the transformation....See Moreexterior colours - red brick California bungalow
Comments (9)You asked about painting the 'stripe' , and I was going to mention it in my post above . Visually , that existing hip-line 'stripe' looks a bit funny , it is pretty non-existent on the left , then sort of alternates between red and white . So that seems a problem to me , because I was going to suggest either 'just' painting that 100mm or so stripe in black , or preferably getting a slightly raised render 'hip line' , either in a black render , or painted afterwoods . BUT as you don't want to do red around the top , I think that would look like a dogs breakfast -- red and white with a black stripe is pure 1960's style and class -- red , white , mauve or grey , and black would look disjointed IMO ....See More
Julie Herbert
last yearAgree with bigreader, remove everything that is taking away from the house, go a more modern look, paint the balcony in a charcoal plus all trims, add a new fence, update your landscaping with structural planting, ornamental pears or Lilly pilly for privacy, I love the arches.
Kate
last yearBiko Tee
last yearlast modified: last yearDefinitely going for more modern look, we have the budget to rip out and redo a fair bit.
This is what I meant by taupe or beige ...just something lighter coloured ...but yes, contemplating how I can keep the arches, may have to look into modernised deco styles.
Partner even suggested a hint of blue for the columns or trims...
Love the charcoal but not sure if overall look has too many darker colours as it's such a bright brick red! Especially with the harsh Australian heat, heard dark colours aren't as energy efficient?
siriuskey
last yearbigreader
last yearbigreader
last yearJulie Herbert
last yearsiriuskey
last yearBiko Tee
last yearsiriuskey
last yearJulie Herbert
last yearYou could instantly update the look by replacing the railing, this would give a modern , contemporary look plus landscaping.. could look great.
dreamer
last yearKate
last yearUser
last yearhwestmoreland
last yearMy son bought one of these 4 yrs ago. With A LOT of hardwork and money he has transformed it into a modern classic. He did most of the work himself but even then it was a money pit. Good luck!
dreamer
last yearKath
last year
PROco-design
last yearSomeone earlier in this discussion said "embrace the architecture" and I agree. Changing the architecture is expensive, especially squaring off arches. Arches are typically associated with Mediterranean architecture and love or loath em, arches are pushing back into modern day architecture. So go with it by removing the concrete balustrade and build more arches to match those below. Bag and paint the brickwork with a Porters limewash paint to obtain that authentic Mediterranean and uneven look. Consider semi-circular balustrading for that Romeo and Juliet look or better still add semi-circular concrete planter boxes for added privacy. They can then be planted with low growing and trailing plants such as a variegated ivy. The head s of the top arches only can then be topped with a timber batten screen which will soften the facade further and you will have a modern 2023 take on Mediterranean Modern. Keep that going throughout the house to give it a full and complete reno. Think 3D as your home has 4 facades not just 1. I see all too often homes where the owner renovates the street elevation and just paints the rest of the home. It looks as if the home has had a full size photo glued onto the street elevation. Even the fake stone stops at the corner and the whole facade looks as if it will just peel off with the next rain.
I've attached an image of a new development near my studio on the Gold Coast which give you an idea. It's not exactly what I have suggested but it does demonstrate the use of arches in a modern architectural setting with the use of timber and trailing plants.
siriuskey