Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional two-storey blue exterior in Chicago with concrete fiberboard siding.

Project Details: We completely updated the look of this home with help from James Hardie siding and Renewal by Andersen windows. Here's a list of the products and colors used. - Iron Gray JH Lap Siding - Boothbay Blue JH Staggered Shake - Light Mist JH Board & Batten - Arctic White JH Trim - Simulated Double-Hung Farmhouse Grilles (RbA) - Double-Hung Farmhouse Grilles (RbA) - Front Door Color: Behr paint in the color, Script Ink

Old Style with Contemporary Living - Old East Hill Residence

Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture

Greg Reigler
Mid-sized beach style one-storey white exterior in Atlanta with concrete fiberboard siding and a gable roof.

Copperwood in Princeton

Studio Hillier

This is an example of a mid-sized modern grey apartment exterior in Philadelphia with four or more storeys, concrete fiberboard siding, a flat roof, a mixed roof and a grey roof.

Iron Grey HardiePanel Board and Batten

BURR ROOFING-SIDING-WINDOWS

Back of the house. James Hardie Iron Grey Board and Batten siding with new stonework and entry door.
Mid-sized traditional two-storey blue house exterior in Bridgeport with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Lochley - Narrow Lakefront Lot

Visbeen Architects

Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

Decatur Craftsman

First Street Builders

This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts two-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Atlanta with concrete fiberboard siding and a gable roof.

New West Classic

Clay Construction Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional two-storey grey exterior in Vancouver with concrete fiberboard siding and a gable roof.

James Hardie - Wildwood

SIS Exterior Renovations

S.I.S. Supply Install Services Ltd.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional two-storey grey house exterior in Calgary with concrete fiberboard siding, a flat roof and a shingle roof.

Eclectic Cape Cod Tudor - Anderson, SC

Chapman Design Group, Inc.

Mark Hoyle
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional two-storey grey exterior in Charlotte with concrete fiberboard siding and a gable roof.

Craftsman Exterior Paint Color Consultation

Masterworks Window Fashions & Design, LLC

This house is adjacent to the first house, and was under construction when I began working with the clients. They had already selected red window frames, and the siding was unfinished, needing to be painted. Sherwin Williams colors were requested by the builder. They wanted it to work with the neighboring house, but have its own character, and to use a darker green in combination with other colors. The light trim is Sherwin Williams, Netsuke, the tan is Basket Beige. The color on the risers on the steps is slightly deeper. Basket Beige is used for the garage door, the indentation on the front columns, the accent in the front peak of the roof, the siding on the front porch, and the back of the house. It also is used for the fascia board above the two columns under the front curving roofline. The fascia and columns are outlined in Netsuke, which is also used for the details on the garage door, and the trim around the red windows. The Hardie shingle is in green, as is the siding on the side of the garage. Linda H. Bassert, Masterworks Window Fashions & Design, LLC

Wexley | Urban Contemporary

Vision Interiors

As a conceptual urban infill project, the Wexley is designed for a narrow lot in the center of a city block. The 26’x48’ floor plan is divided into thirds from front to back and from left to right. In plan, the left third is reserved for circulation spaces and is reflected in elevation by a monolithic block wall in three shades of gray. Punching through this block wall, in three distinct parts, are the main levels windows for the stair tower, bathroom, and patio. The right two-thirds of the main level are reserved for the living room, kitchen, and dining room. At 16’ long, front to back, these three rooms align perfectly with the three-part block wall façade. It’s this interplay between plan and elevation that creates cohesion between each façade, no matter where it’s viewed. Given that this project would have neighbors on either side, great care was taken in crafting desirable vistas for the living, dining, and master bedroom. Upstairs, with a view to the street, the master bedroom has a pair of closets and a skillfully planned bathroom complete with soaker tub and separate tiled shower. Main level cabinetry and built-ins serve as dividing elements between rooms and framing elements for views outside. Architect: Visbeen Architects Builder: J. Peterson Homes Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

River Run

CK Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized country two-storey white house exterior in Bridgeport with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Edina Modern Scandinavian

Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd

Spacecrafting Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian two-storey black exterior in Minneapolis with concrete fiberboard siding and a gable roof.

A door color to pop dark gray siding!

Pfaff Color & Design

Door painted in "Curry", by California Paints
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional three-storey grey exterior in Boston with concrete fiberboard siding and a gable roof.

On The Board - Modern Farmhouses

Faye Cowie Designs

Photo of a mid-sized country two-storey grey house exterior in Other with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a metal roof, a black roof and shingle siding.

Conifer Mountain Home | James Hardie ColorPlus

Bellwether

This mountain home has an amazing location nestled in the forest in Conifer, Colorado. Built in the late 1970s this home still had the charm of the 70s inside and out when the homeowner purchased this home in 2019– it still had the original green shag carpet inside! Just like it was time to remove and replace the old green shag carpet, it was time to remove and replace the old T1-11 siding! Colorado Siding Repair installed James Hardie Color Plus lap siding in Aged Pewter with Arctic White trim. We added James Hardie Color Plus Staggered Shake in Cobblestone to add design flair to the exterior of this truly unique home. We replaced the siding with James Hardie Color Plus Siding and used Sherwin-Williams Duration paint for the rest of the house to create a seamless exterior design. The homeowner wanted to move a window and a door and we were able to help make that happen during the home exterior remodel. What’s your favorite part of this update? We love the stagger shake in Cobblestone!

One Story Country Home

Ranchers by Design Custom Homes Ltd.

Rendering of a one story country home.
Mid-sized contemporary one-storey yellow exterior in Vancouver with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a metal roof and board and batten siding.

Liberty 01 - Exterior

Gold Leaf Ventures/Construction

Two story craftsman
Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts two-storey blue house exterior in Raleigh with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Craftsman Delight

12/12 Architects & Planners

Front elevation, highlighting double-gable entry at the front porch with double-column detail at the porch and garage. Exposed rafter tails and cedar brackets are shown, along with gooseneck vintage-style fixtures at the garage doors..

Mid-sized Exterior Design Ideas with Concrete Fiberboard Siding

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.