what's the budget? Are you improving to sell, or improving to stay?

I'm the exception in that I like mansard roofs. Yours isn't all that bad and could actually recede if you pumped up your landscaping, thereby distracting the eye. Are you committed to altering the roof? Or do you think you could live with it after adding stately landscaping?

It's a Buy-improve-and-sell situation. Renovation budget up to $70k, however greatly open to any creative alternatives.

Thanks so much!

Alex, sometimes you just need to tear into these and see what you've got to work with. We have many of these in our area and it's often a simple process to remove the Mansard portion and run chosen siding up the second floor walls after having constructed soffit and facias on the upper portion. I like sternl2001 answer to the problem as well. it shows the Mansard how they were intended to look. This would involve raising the upper portion to a flat roof and extending the Mansards sides up. Best of luck.

I also live in an old house with a Mansard roof, and I love it. I agree that your Mansard would benefit from being extended upward. If well designed and shingled, a Mansard roof can add great character to a building - sternl2001's home being a wonderful example of this!

Here's a thought for you. Southern style.

Wow thank you so much for such great insight!!!

The second and third pictures are 'before and after' shots of the same house.