skip to main content

Building a Home

need inexpensive way to cover exposed foundation - QUICK!!!!

14 years ago

We are supposed to finish our house and close the loan at the end of this month. We are really cutting it close.

The exterior still isn't finished but it is close. We need to finish the front porch and cover the exposed block foundation.

We have hardi-board siding but there is a band of framing covered with tyvek about 1'6" all the way around the house that we had planned on putting the cultured stone on.

However, we are over budget and now I would really like to save some money at the end of the build. I thought of just doing what I call stucco on the bottom (I don't think it is really stucco, more like mortar smeared on the block and then painted) but not sure if that can be done on the area with the tyvek.

I am not too concerned with giving up the stone because really when the landscaping is established in a couple of years, you wouldn't see much of the stone anyway.

Here is a picture before the backfill was done yesterday, there is much less block to cover than this shows but gives you and idea of the tyvek band I was talking about.

But I am panicked and need suggestions to get finished ASAP!!!

{{gwi:1475576}}

{{gwi:1475577}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

persnicketydesign
14 years ago
Sprice...DH and I just painted our "stucco" foundation yesterday (it's actually S-type mortar). We had originally planned for stone too, but budget constraints kept us from it. We caught the housewrap problem before the siding went on. To remedy the situation we had them add a 10" band of trim to the bottom of the siding to bring it down to the level of the block. We'll still be using stone on the porches and steps, but I think it would have been a little much on the entire foundation when it will be hidden by shrubs anyway. It looks really nice and I'm actually glad that we didn't go with the stone.

I'm not sure what kind of prep would have to be done to do the stucco over the framing, but I'm sure it could be done. I'll post some pics of what we did later this afternoon if you'd like to see it.
persnicketydesign
14 years ago
Forgot to mention that it was really inexpensive to do...$1100. It took 3 guys one day to do it. Our footprint is approx 75 X 60 and the foundation varies from grade level to 8' high. It averages about 6'.
Related Discussions
Trying to sell our home...need WOW FACTOR... advice on paint & furniture to help with quick sell!
Q
Comments (63)
Move the bookcase/table next to armoire to corner(kitchen side) and place caddy corner add fern like plant on top shelf and special items only on the other 2 shelves. Square off the chair with the sofa move the coffee table in front of the sofa (if your plant on the trunk is healthy put it on the coffee table), put the square trunk on the other side of the sofa and maybe an open chair to square off the seating area. Place an area rug anchoring the seating area but not interfering with the path in front of the armoire(2 1/2 to 3 feet min,) Add a large plant palm or similar in the far corner. Play with the size of the lamps on either side of the sofa. Add another picture or collage of art to balance both sides of the now armoire only wall. Add 2 cushion that bring out whatever color you like in the new area rug maybe even a throw to add color over the corner of the sofa. Move the furniture first see how it feels to you. Then steal art work from else where in the house ,chair too may be from the dinning room? Try some lamps for elsewhere in the house, maybe even a blanket or throw from one of the bedrooms to put on the sofa just to see how it looks and feels before you commit any money to the project. So far your cost is just labor. If it works go for the rug and whatever else is needed. Good luck.
...See More
Help concerting chandelier to cover exposed bulbs
Q
Comments (10)
The cost of 18 shades --glass or cloth , on a fixture that you are trying to modify its look, does not make sense to me. I think you are basically saying you dont like the type of fixture you have, ie a fixture with many exposed bulbs. If this is the case you would be better off buying a new fixture, as I don't think you will be happy modifying the current one. There are many well priced fixtures in stores and online. Have some fun with your options.
...See More
still need help with what to do with the exposed pilings
Q
Comments (6)
So the cedar will weather down to gray if you leave them natural - are you seeing gray in the long run or are you polycoating the shingles so they will hold their wood tone? I think you are saying that your trim will be the white that we see? White windows, white trim? Either you will have wood and white or gray driftwood and white - and you want a beachy feel - blue in the blue-green family goes with both. I would suggest that you go into the ceilings of the overhang on the front porch and the back area and paint them a pale aqua. Then, do the pilings in the deep riverway tone - it is the purer blue but the pilings have their own green built in. The preservative on the pilings wood tinges it towards green naturally and I think you want to counteract that a bit. Try sw tidewater on the ceilings (and I hope fervently that just the juxtaposition of those two words doesn't make you feel sad - I know people are still recovering from Sandy) So, full strength on the ceilings, and take the darker riverway paint - you might only need a quart - mix it half and half with water - then wash the pilings with it. The grain will come through, but the tone will shift. Let it absorb, and if you want more color, add another layer. Use the pilings for towel hooks and surfboard hangers and even to attach an outdoor shower head to hook the hose up to (spraying away from the house!). over a drainage bed of pebble under a square of teak deck section. If you have a paintable front door - look at the mid-tones of the riverway card interesting aqua at the door would be terrific.
...See More
need inexpensive way to cover an outdoor bar
Q
Comments (5)
I'm not sure what you consider inexpensive, but there are many giant umbrellas that you could use, and that are moveable. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/3/adjustable-patio-umbrella I also saw (at an Army surplus store) a parachute used as an umbrella. You would create the metal frame, and then use a parachute or something similar as the shade. Sorta like this http://www.ravenlore.co.uk/assets/images/Waylands_Canopy.jpg if you wanted something a bit more interesting.
...See More
amyks
14 years ago
I think what you are thinking of is called parging. A parge coat over the block will make it look more finished and you can paint over it if you don't want the "cement" color. It is typically done in a swirl finish. Any mason will know what you are talking about and be able to do this. Nice house, and congratulations on being so close!

Amy

Here is a link that might be useful: definition of parge
frog_hopper
14 years ago
Never heard the term parge before. Followed the link and had to follow another to learn what "rugosity" was in order to understand parge. What fun! LOL
sprice5105
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all!

I talked to the builder and he is sending the mason out today to give an estimate. He said the mason charges $2.00/sq. ft. for this. Does that sound reasonable? Heck, even if it is high, it will still be less than stone and can be done quickly (hopefully!)

I told him I was 99.9% sure this is the way we will go, and the siding guys will just put a trim board under the flashing then stucco underneath.

What a relief!!!

You guys are the greatest.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Bugle Weed, a Quick Ground Cover

It’s highly adaptable, suppresses weeds, reduces erosion and provide weeks of bright flowers. Just watch for invasiveness

ARCHITECTURE Know Your House: What Makes Up a Home's Foundation

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Learn the components of a common foundation and their purpose to ensure a strong and stable house for years to come

CHRISTMAS Last-Minute Holiday: Quick Ways to Personalize Your Decor and Gifts

By Brandi Hines Events + Design

See how to put on a finishing flourish with a simple stick of chalk and how to put together a kit for an adorable edible snowman

BEDROOMS 10 Quick and Easy Ways to Dress Your Bed

By Scheer & Co. Interior Design

How to make your bed: Change up your bedroom design style with what you already have

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

FURNITURE Meet the Quick-Change Artists of Interior Design

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Are you missing a great little stool, ottoman or bench? Just look at the ways they can adapt to what you need now

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Budget Decorator: 10 Ways to Deck Out Your Patio

By Laura Gaskill

Hang a vintage sign here and some inexpensive curtains there, for a patio or deck that looks polished and pulled together

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 13 Quick-Change Boosts for a Spring Patio

By Laura Gaskill

Enjoy your outdoor room more with these enhancements that are easy, impactful and kind to your budget

DECORATING GUIDES Quick Fix: Find Wall Studs Without an Expensive Stud Finder

By Vanessa Brunner

See how to find hidden wall studs with this ridiculously easy trick

CONTAINER GARDENS 3 Steps to Creating Quick, Easy and Colorful Succulent Containers

Take a bright container, add a colorful succulent or two and have a professional, summery design in minutes

Sponsored

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

237 Reviews

Northern Virginia Design Build Firm | 15x Best of Houzz

More Discussions

help with layout for home

39

Caulk Windows Where Meets Stone Siding?

4

Max Acceptable Gaps for Exterior Doors?

4

Is this is an average price for quartz bathroom counters?

8

Which style of dormer is ideal?

13