Exterior Design Help! Siding or Stucco!?

11 years ago

Hi Guys,

(re-posted from remodeling forum. Realized remodeling was not the right discussion)

I'm looking for some advice on how to spruce up the curb appeal of a new project. The front of the house currently has siding along a few walls, however it is a bit aged and needs to be replaced with either new siding or something else entirely.

I'm leaning towards removing the siding and just stuccoing it, but I'm afraid it will look too plain. Without the stucco there will be a large wall with nothing to make the house stand out.

As far as landscaping, I am busting out the brick path underneath the left siding and putting mulch/frond plants there, as well as in front of the path that runs along the front of the house. Debating on what to do:

Remove siding completely, re-stucco and paint Taupe-greyish color.
Add wide window trims (white), paint Garage Door White
Adding shutters? Not sure if they would fit on this house

I'm mainly concerned with the distance between the windows and the ground. It seems like there is a lot of dead space there. Do you think once I add the window trim and some plants below, it will fill in?

I would love to get some input as to what my options could be. If I remove the siding, what would you suggest replace it? Just some new stucco and a new paint color, or any other architectural that would help the property stand out. Your ideas are much appreciated!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Shake It Up! Business Solutions
11 years ago
Stone/brick goes nicely with stucco. A trim would be a nice touch as well
loadedlongboard1 thanked Shake It Up! Business Solutions
Martha Foss
11 years ago
Hi I would play up the farmhouse look with siding. I would add shutters to those two windows under the gable end of the house. If you add shutters make sure they are the correct width (ie they would actually close if operable) I would paint the shutters in an accent color the same color as the front door. Depending on your neighborhood or area you could play up the craftsman look by adding shingles (a hardee shingle for low maintenance) in the gable ends of your house for interest. You could do the front the siding, then the sides could be the stucco
River View Home · More Info

Here is an example It depends on your neighborhood, your price point and whether you are planning to live in the house for a while or just sell the place. Even if this was a low-cost project, I wouldn't just stucco it. We need to have some exterior interest to get the house some curb appeal
loadedlongboard1 thanked Martha Foss
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loadedlongboard1
Original Author
11 years ago
Do you think I could get away with just doing the faux brick half way up on the two corners of the garage, then on the two corners under the "gable" roof on the furthest right hand side? Or just the garage corners and the middle section to the right of the door but to the left of the gable?

Would adding the faux brick and shutters be too much for the space?

The primary goal is to keep costs low while still making the home stand out. I like your ideas though. Thank you!
loadedlongboard1
Original Author
11 years ago
I was able to use a program online that could superimpose faux brick/trim onto the picture of the house. I added the faux brick, shutters, and white trim.

What do you guys think of it? Is the brick not high enough? I almost feel like it would look better without the brick, but that may just be because of the height, etc. Thanks.
kaywestmaas
11 years ago
I think unifying the house with taupe-greyish stucco is a great idea.

I think "Shake It Up Business Solutions" picture #2 that was posted on Wednesday would be great.

Suggestion #1:
- don't hang shutters;
- just increase the wood framing (example: 1" x 4") around the window and paint compatible to the garage door;
- if the house is painted taupe-greyish, don't put a pure white on the house. A lighter tone of the same taupe-greyish colour that compliments and doesn't create such a strong contrast.
Suggestion #2:
- choose a third colour (perhaps dark grey for the front door).
Suggestion #3:
- instead of 'breaking out the brick path', consider building a porch (at the same level as the front door), extending from the garage wall to the front corner of the right-hand side of the house.
- That extended porch, would eliminate "the dead space" between the windows and the ground.
- I wish that I knew how to photoshop, but I don't. The following photograph doesn't look anything like your home, but I'm trying to illustrate how a porch across the entire alcove at the front elevation of the house might be a nice addition.
Best of luck. Your home is already lovely. I'm sure the changes that you make will only make it more special.