Help!! Whats a funky alternative like besser bricks for screening?
Jackson Taylor
7 years ago
My wife and I are working on redesigning our entertaining area around our pool. We are trying to think of a different way to screen the neighbours ugly brick wall. We have dreamed of using besser bricks. To our disappointment the bricks are viewed as climbable so we cannot use them. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Hidden Desert South · More Info
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (13)
bigreader
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Help! Squat & flat exterior with awful yellow bricks.
Comments (14)From the title I was expecting something completely different. I think your house has good traditional street appeal. The two things I notice are the balustrading and the landscaping, which I see others have also commented on. I'm not sure what to suggest about the balustrading but somehow it looks not quite right to me. I think those ornamental panels look too busy? Landscaping can really enhance a house. Yours looks quite nice in the second picture but in the first picture it draws attention to the fact that there is no clear entrance. Be careful if considering painting brick or replacing aluminium with timber. You could end up with a high-maintenance facade that looks like a budget reno. I think your house could be completely updated with render and new windows and glass balustrading and maybe a stackstone feature, and I have seen some like that which look beautiful and it's hard to believe it's the same house. But if you don't want to go the whole way then I think you can get a nice result by working with what you have as much as possible rather than covering it up....See MoreWhat to do to make this brick wall look more appealing?
Comments (17)Something like silver birch trees don't take up too much room but will provide some height and interest. Personally I pick out natives, after asking local garden centres for those which are natural to my area. I've used black mondo grass across the front of my walls with purple fountain grass behind it. The fountain grass really takes the summer heat, doesn't need much water and self-seeds. It's grown slightly taller than me after a few years. I have, what I call a 'survival of the fittest' garden. Over the years, I've experimented with all sorts of plants. Eventually, only those that survive with little help, and almost no extraneous watering, get to stay. One of the key things I did when planting out my garden was to dig down into the soil and lay a mat of used, natural-blend carpet underlay (not the more synthetic types used these days). Just ask someone getting rid of their old carpet- it's easy to come across. Above the carpet underlay I added water crystals, then put the soil back on top. After the gardens have been established, I haven't need to get the hose out since. I do have lots of succulents around the place, some native plants and ornamental grasses. I hope this helps....See MoreBrick house has no style!
Comments (28)Hi Bron. I'm totally with those who have suggested a. Colorbond Monument and b. No rendering. As a professional renovator, I see clients who had not taken into account the maintenance - cleaning, patching the cracks when the house moved and they all do, eventually) and would not render again. Bagging is really old-fashioned. The bricks are a great colour to work with. The suggestions of plants , a path leading (directing visitors) to your door, and I'll add using a feature colour on the door (an unobtrusive screen door - or even removing it) would make a big difference. It would be great to see a pic of the house from the street to see if there's anything else to suggest. Happy reno!!...See MoreExterior - full render or keep some brick?
Comments (21)Hi all, Wow - hard to believe it was 7 months ago I posted this! We are getting there, but now having window dilemma. We decided to retain brick and use cladding for extensions. A few questions: 1. should existing windows in brick part of house (which are like a cottage window) be retained or replaced to match new ones? any advice regarding new bedroom windows - currently louvres - air flow appeals but does it look odd? 2. Opinions on the rear doors - we want this dining area to open as much as possible in summer. The current solution is to have 2 sliding doors on each side, and bi-folds across the rear, with corner glass in both corners - any opinions? 3. Rear paved area - we currently have odd shaped concrete at rear (the grey shaded area). Architect has suggested paving to fill in what is currently grass and make a better square line - but, is it just going to be too much paving?? Would love to hear your thoughts. thanks in advance!...See Moreoklouise
7 years agoconsider steel mesh...there are many different styles including some that are usually used for floors in pig pens
Jackson Taylor thanked oklouise
PRODesigners by Nature
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agowhat about some lazer cut steel panels? loads of options and now-a-days they can cut just about any image/ pattern into them
Urban Infill · More InfoJackson Taylor thanked Designers by Naturerobandlyn
7 years ago- PRO
Designers by Nature
7 years ago - PRO
MB Design & Drafting
7 years ago 
Gallifrey
7 years ago
cloudpants
7 years agoOur neighbours have wide wooded vertical slats placed so that they slightly overlap, but with an airflow space between. Hard to describe, but my crude sketch may help....
Genus Landscape Architects