skip to main content
Software
Integrations
Mobile App
Expert Support
All-In-One Platform for Construction and Design
See Pricing
Schedule a Demo
Talk to Sales: (888) 316-4595
My builder uses Houzz Pro to plan the timeline and give detailed estimates and daily updates with photos of progress, and provide invoices at pre-agreed key points in the build. This made the whole experience much more efficient and stress-free.
Steve W.
Client of Cribbs Construction
Learn More
Ideas
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore DiscussionsFeatured Home DiscussionsFeatured Garden Discussions
Design Dilemma
lele2014

Need help updating exterior 1950s Colonial

12 years ago
Hello, I would love some advice on exterior colors for my 1/2 brick, 1/2 aluminum sided house. I just added the widow boxes, but they are easily removed. The 1-car garage is a separate structure, and it is white vinyl siding, so I wonder if that limits my choices for the main house. The exterior feels outdated and I'd like paint and portico/porch ideas that aren't too expensive. The house feels disjointed to me. The blue shutters and red door were chosen by the prior owner. I'd especially love any pictures of ideas you could share. Thanks!
Featured Answer
  • 11 years ago
    lele2014.... You said that the siding is still in good condition so I I would suggest painting your aluminum siding. This will make the siding last for many years to come.
    This way you could use a color that would blend with the brickwork & give the house a more uniform look.
    Hire a professional if you have not done this before. The siding needs to be well cleaned to remove the chaulky reside that is on the surface & any pitted places should be sanded. The contractor may want to spray paint it. Check around to find someone who has had their aluminum siding painted to get recommendations for a painter.
    Not sure if you have room for a portico unless you would have quite a flat roof on it because of the window directly on top of the entry door. Portico with a larger step & columns with be nice though.
    Another option would be to put a full length veranda on the front of the house. Not sure what style you are going for.
    Could we see a picture of the wall of the house towards the garage?

    Comments (22)

    • 12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      I am open to changing out the siding to something else in front (shake?) depending on cost. Or just paint--should I paint the brick to match? Thanks again!
    • 12 years ago
      Light or medium gray all over with white trim? White on whole house to match garage? Black shutters either way? Door is now calypso blue. Any help would be appreciated.

    • Related Professionals

      Mobile Interior Designers & Decorators · Southaven Interior Designers & Decorators · Miami Interior Designers & Decorators · Virginia Beach Interior Designers & Decorators · Buffalo Interior Designers & Decorators · Plattsburgh Interior Designers & Decorators · Dodge City Interior Designers & Decorators · Parkersburg Architects & Building Designers · Stockton Architects & Building Designers · Georgetown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Plymouth Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Huron Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lake Havasu City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Mission Viejo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Seattle Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      You may not want to paint the alm siding due to bonding concerns.

      You could paint the brick to match the shudders. I generally recommend acrylic plaster after the brick has been sand blasted and scrub down.

      I'd consider doing a connecting arbor between the garage driveway and the front door.
      It could come out to about the end of the planting to the left of the entrance. I would consider an exposed agrigate side walk which could be added on top of the existing side walk to the front and a continuation from the steps to the driveway. The front storm door should be painted to work with the arbors stain.
      Lele thanked Custom Home Planning Center
    • 11 years ago
      I hadn't thought about extending the walk to the driveway--that's an interesting idea. I would need to check with the city. What is exposed aggregate? Do you have a photo?
    • PRO
      11 years ago
      How about white (since the siding is white) with black shutters and either a red or black front door. A new light fixture and I would remove the storm door for a more updated look. You could do all of this and not paint the brick, too. Good luck!
      Lele thanked Julia & Elizabeth
    • 11 years ago
      Could we see a picture of the wall with the portico please?
      Lele thanked Lainie D'Eon
    • 11 years ago
      Leona--I don't currently have a portico, thinking about adding one to the front. Belle Chaise--I just painted the door a calypso blue (Behr Marquee Exterior Tibetan Turquiose), and it looks fab. I painted the front shutters flat black, but have not re-installed them yet. I have 22 shutters in all, so it will take awhile to get them all painted. The storm door is new, but I suppose I could move it to the back door. If anyone has portico idea photos, I'd appreciate it. My door is off-center to the house facade, and I wonder if an off-center portico would make the house look lop-sided?
    • 11 years ago
      last modified: 11 years ago
      Custom Home Planning Ctr--the aluminum siding and trim is at least 40 years old. It is very faded and chalky, so it must be addressed. I'd rather not replace with it vinyl unless I really have to, because structurally it is in good shape (plus I have an environmental beef with vinyl). Wood siding is not in my budget.
    • 11 years ago
      last modified: 11 years ago
      Thank you, Leona. I will post a photo of that side of the house, and of the garage, when I get home tonight. I am also considering adding an unheated breezeway between the garage and the side entrance to the house. I desperately need a mud room for all my kids' shoes, coats, mittens, hats, backpacks, sports bags, etc. Just not sure that a breezeway is in my budget. For my neighborhood, it might not be a smart investment if it is expensive.
    • PRO
      11 years ago
      exposed aggregate is a concrete mix of pea gravel for the aggregate. Once poured and let set up for a couple of hours the surface cement is washed off with a hose. A non hardening additive is sprayed on top to improve the quality of the wash off after it is finished.
      Lele thanked Custom Home Planning Center
    • PRO
      11 years ago
      On the alm siding, if your at all handy you can get pre stained and paneled cedar shakes from Cedar Valley.
      Hanging it yourself is a breeze. While per panel is expensive labor savings are worth it.
      This look would get you out of the 80's and the front arbor and walk will move you toward a craftsmen look
      Lele thanked Custom Home Planning Center
    • 11 years ago
      last modified: 11 years ago
      I have never seen paneled shakes before. I will visit the Cedar Valley website to check it out. Love the craftsman look. My prior house was a 1929 bungalow. UPDATE--the Cedar Valley factory is only an hour from me!
    • 11 years ago
      last modified: 11 years ago
      Leona: it was dark and raining when I got home last night. Here are the pics of the east side of the house, and one that I tried to show the entire front, but the big maple makes an unobstructed view impossible! Note that I took down the front shutters (upper level) and have painted them black. The lower-level side window also has shutters, but I took those down to see how easy it would be to take off the higher ones in the front.
    • 11 years ago
      Considering all the ideas that you said that you are interested in....

      Connecting the house & garage with a breezeway would be very functional. Does the latticework that is there now connect with a door to the side of the garage?

      There is only a small amount of brick on the house & it does not relate to anything else... painting it might be you cheapest option.

      Think you said that the aluminum siding is chaulky & in need of paint. For a quick fix & especially if you join to the garage with a breezeway I would paint the 2 buildings & breezeway the same color.
      You could paint the house a light to medium grey as you mentioned .. would make a big change.
      Lele thanked Lainie D'Eon
    • 11 years ago
      last modified: 11 years ago
      Photo update: I decided NOT to paint the brick, went with colors that tied the darker bricks and roof with the siding. I will be doing an exposed aggregate walk and stoop. Portico or breezeway will have to wait for next summer. Thanks to all for your thoughts.
    • PRO
      11 years ago
      Great choice! Some colorful landscaping could really enhance the look as well
      Lele thanked Natures Path Pool & Landscape
    • 11 years ago

      I'm glad you kept the shutters. I think their removal would have made the upper windows look too small. Really like your paint colour too!

    • 11 years ago

      lele2014 .. WOW, love it . Great choice of paint color. Super improvement with just some paint. Like the way it ties the whole house together.

    • 11 years ago

      What are the paint colors?


    • 11 years ago

      The house feels disjointed in part because it's a garrison colonial with windows from a '50s ranch house. It needs windows that look colonial--6 over 6 divided lights. The windows are kind of the wrong proportion (HxW), but not much you can do about that. If they need to be replaced, do it with divided lights and not in white (since you've painted the siding).

    • 6 months ago

      Oh

    Related Stories
    My Houzz: Bright and Cheerful Updates to an 1890s Colonial Revival
    By Danielle Sykes
    Modern tweaks, including a kitchen overhaul, brighten a family’s home
    Full Story
    68
    EXTERIORSHelp! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?
    By Jennifer Ott Design
    Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors
    Full Story
    93
    HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: A Paean to the 1950s and '60s in Pennsylvania
    By Adrienne DeRosa
    With vintage furniture, a sunken den and pristine original details, this home is a true homage to midcentury style
    Full Story
    156
    HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Online Finds Help Outfit This Couple’s First Home
    By Jane Vorbrodt
    East Vancouver homeowners turn to Craigslist to update their 1960s bungalow
    Full Story
    38
    RANCH HOMESHouzz Tour: Industrial Updates to Classic Southwest Style
    By AWH Construction
    Hot-rolled steel and Caesarstone meet adobe and Mexican rugs in a Phoenix ranch house untouched since the 1950s
    Full Story
    30
    ARCHITECTUREHouse-Hunting Help: If You Could Pick Your Home Style ...
    By Laura Gaskill
    Love an open layout? Steer clear of Victorians. Hate stairs? Sidle up to a ranch. Whatever home you're looking for, this guide can help
    Full Story
    100
    STANDARD MEASUREMENTSThe Right Dimensions for Your Porch
    By Steven Corley Randel, Architect
    Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space
    Full Story
    204
    SELLING YOUR HOUSEHelp for Selling Your Home Faster — and Maybe for More
    By Laura Gaskill
    Prep your home properly before you put it on the market. Learn what tasks are worth the money and the best pros for the jobs
    Full Story
    178
    GREAT HOME PROJECTSUpdate Your Windows for Good Looks, Efficiency and a Better View
    By Steven Corley Randel, Architect
    Great home project: Replace your windows for enhanced style and function. Learn the types, materials and relative costs here
    Full Story
    47
    BATHROOM DESIGNRoom of the Day: Elegant Master-Bath Update
    By Becky Harris
    A 1970s redo didn't work with the rest of the gracious 1915 Colonial-style home. A new renovation brings elegance to the space
    Full Story
    44
    Sponsored
    High Point Cabinets
    Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars21 Reviews
    Columbus' Experienced Custom Cabinet Builder | 4x Best of Houzz Winner
    More Discussions
    AI deception on generated photo
    36
    Need ideas for blank space
    50
    how would arrange this long narrow living room
    21
    Lighting a kitchen wall with windows and without upper cabinets
    16
    Kitchen Remodel
    5