The Savannah: Best of Ohio Custom Home Over 5,000 SF

This gorgeous modern farmhouse features hardie board board and batten siding with stunning black framed Pella windows. The soffit lighting accents each gable perfectly and creates the perfect farmhouse.

Cooper Woods 2 Story

Havlicek Builders Inc.

Inspiration for a large arts and crafts two-storey blue house exterior in Chicago with a gable roof, a shingle roof, wood siding, board and batten siding and clapboard siding.

Front of Home at Dusk - The Genesis - Family Super Ranch with Daylight Basement

Cascade West Development

Paint by Sherwin Williams Body Color - Anonymous - SW 7046 Accent Color - Urban Bronze - SW 7048 Trim Color - Worldly Gray - SW 7043 Front Door Stain - Northwood Cabinets - Custom Truffle Stain Exterior Stone by Eldorado Stone Stone Product Rustic Ledge in Clearwater Outdoor Fireplace by Heat & Glo Doors by Western Pacific Building Materials Windows by Milgard Windows & Doors Window Product Style Line® Series Window Supplier Troyco - Window & Door Lighting by Destination Lighting Garage Doors by NW Door Decorative Timber Accents by Arrow Timber Timber Accent Products Classic Series LAP Siding by James Hardie USA Fiber Cement Shakes by Nichiha USA Construction Supplies via PROBuild Landscaping by GRO Outdoor Living Customized & Built by Cascade West Development Photography by ExposioHDR Portland Original Plans by Alan Mascord Design Associates

Point Loma Addition Remodel

Lars Remodeling & Design

The goal for this Point Loma home was to transform it from the adorable beach bungalow it already was by expanding its footprint and giving it distinctive Craftsman characteristics while achieving a comfortable, modern aesthetic inside that perfectly caters to the active young family who lives here. By extending and reconfiguring the front portion of the home, we were able to not only add significant square footage, but create much needed usable space for a home office and comfortable family living room that flows directly into a large, open plan kitchen and dining area. A custom built-in entertainment center accented with shiplap is the focal point for the living room and the light color of the walls are perfect with the natural light that floods the space, courtesy of strategically placed windows and skylights. The kitchen was redone to feel modern and accommodate the homeowners busy lifestyle and love of entertaining. Beautiful white kitchen cabinetry sets the stage for a large island that packs a pop of color in a gorgeous teal hue. A Sub-Zero classic side by side refrigerator and Jenn-Air cooktop, steam oven, and wall oven provide the power in this kitchen while a white subway tile backsplash in a sophisticated herringbone pattern, gold pulls and stunning pendant lighting add the perfect design details. Another great addition to this project is the use of space to create separate wine and coffee bars on either side of the doorway. A large wine refrigerator is offset by beautiful natural wood floating shelves to store wine glasses and house a healthy Bourbon collection. The coffee bar is the perfect first top in the morning with a coffee maker and floating shelves to store coffee and cups. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring was selected for use throughout the home, offering the warm feel of hardwood, with the benefits of being waterproof and nearly indestructible - two key factors with young kids! For the exterior of the home, it was important to capture classic Craftsman elements including the post and rock detail, wood siding, eves, and trimming around windows and doors. We think the porch is one of the cutest in San Diego and the custom wood door truly ties the look and feel of this beautiful home together.

Naperville Landscape

KD Landscape

Summer Beauty onion surround the stone entry columns while the Hydrangea begin to glow from the landscape lighting. Landscape design by John Algozzini. Photo courtesy of Mike Crews Photography.

Stone Residence 1

Norris Architecture

A traditional house that meanders around courtyards built as though it where built in stages over time. Well proportioned and timeless. Presenting its modest humble face this large home is filled with surprises as it demands that you take your time to experience it.

Mid Atlantic Traditional

Beck Custom Homes, LLC

This is an example of a traditional two-storey stucco green house exterior in Orlando with a gable roof, a shingle roof and a grey roof.

Edge Hill Project

Natural Selections LLC

Front exterior of the Edge Hill Project.
Inspiration for a transitional two-storey brick white house exterior in Dallas with a shingle roof.

Westchester Colonial

Significant Homes LLC

Charles Hilton Architects & Renee Byers LAPC From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Monroe House

Moore Architects, PC

The site for this new house was specifically selected for its proximity to nature while remaining connected to the urban amenities of Arlington and DC. From the beginning, the homeowners were mindful of the environmental impact of this house, so the goal was to get the project LEED certified. Even though the owner’s programmatic needs ultimately grew the house to almost 8,000 square feet, the design team was able to obtain LEED Silver for the project. The first floor houses the public spaces of the program: living, dining, kitchen, family room, power room, library, mudroom and screened porch. The second and third floors contain the master suite, four bedrooms, office, three bathrooms and laundry. The entire basement is dedicated to recreational spaces which include a billiard room, craft room, exercise room, media room and a wine cellar. To minimize the mass of the house, the architects designed low bearing roofs to reduce the height from above, while bringing the ground plain up by specifying local Carder Rock stone for the foundation walls. The landscape around the house further anchored the house by installing retaining walls using the same stone as the foundation. The remaining areas on the property were heavily landscaped with climate appropriate vegetation, retaining walls, and minimal turf. Other LEED elements include LED lighting, geothermal heating system, heat-pump water heater, FSA certified woods, low VOC paints and high R-value insulation and windows. Hoachlander Davis Photography

North Spokane Siding / Windows / Masonry

Aspen Construction & Design, LLC

Full exterior remodel in Spokane with James Hardie ColorPlus Board and Batten and Lap siding in Iron Grey. All windows were replaced with Milgard Trinsic series in Black for a contemporary look. We also installed a natural stone in 3 spots with new porch posts and pre-finished tongue and groove pine on the porch ceiling.

The Caldwell House Plan 1661

Donald A. Gardner Architects

This sprawling ranch features a family-friendly floor plan with a rear located garage. The board-and-batten siding is complemented by stone, metal roof accents, and a gable bracket while a wide porch hugs the front facade. A fireplace and coffered ceiling enhance the great room and a rear porch with skylights extends living outdoors. The kitchen enjoys an island, and a sun tunnel above filters in daylight. Nearby, a butler's pantry and walk-in pantry provide convenience and a spacious dining room welcomes family meals. The master suite is luxurious with a tray ceiling, fireplace, and a walk-in closet. In the master bathroom, find a double vanity, walk-in shower, and freestanding bathtub with built-in shelves on either side. An office/bedroom meets the needs of the homeowner while two additional bedrooms are across the floor plan with a shared full bathroom. Extra amenities include a powder room, drop zone, and a large utility room with laundry sink. Upstairs, an optional bonus room and bedroom suite offer expansion opportunities.

Dublin Retreat

Hedge Landscape

Modern landscape with swimming pool, front entry court, fire pit, raised pool, limestone patio, industrial lighting, boulder wall, covered exterior kitchen, and large retaining wall.

Venice Beach Oasis

Spatial Affairs Bureau

Craftsman renovation and extension
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts two-storey blue exterior in Los Angeles with wood siding, a clipped gable roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and shingle siding.

Glenroy Project

Riki S. Design

New construction modern cape cod
Large modern two-storey stucco white house exterior in Los Angeles with a shingle roof and a grey roof.

Southern Traditional Brick Two Story

Wyrick Residential Design

Photo of a large traditional two-storey brick red house exterior in Houston with a hip roof, a shingle roof and a brown roof.

Modern Farmhouse with Board/Batten Siding

Tyler Haug

Modern Farmhouse Exterior: matte black 4 lite windows, stained wood 6 lite entry door, stained wood porch columns, board/batten siding, brick wainscoting, metal porch roof, exposed rafters

1204 La Mesa

3rd Street Custom Homes

Inspiration for a country two-storey grey house exterior in Dallas with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof, a black roof and board and batten siding.

Heather Blend, Hoyt Lane, Lafayette

Colorado Roof Toppers

This home in Lafayette that was hit with hail, has a new CertainTeed Northgate Class IV Impact Resistant roof in the color Heather Blend.
This is an example of a small traditional two-storey yellow house exterior in Denver with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof and a brown roof.

Exterior, Chadwick, Granger, IN

T.L. Jackson Construction

A 2,642 square foot modern craftsman farmhouse with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a full unfinished basement that could include a fourth bedroom and a full bath.

Exterior Design Ideas with a Shingle Roof

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.