Should I paint the stem wall?

9 years ago

Our new home is nearing completion. The second story has the first coat of paint (BM Smoky Taupe) while the lower level has yet to be painted. The porch will have white posts with white railings and a large wide staircase to the ground. We are putting grey Trex on the porch.

I really like the look of the faux brick on the stem wall. The grout lines are a bit darker and contrast the lighter grey of the stucco. I am considering having the builder just seal it and leave it as is. Is this a good idea or should I paint it? If I paint it, should it be the same color as the house?

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leelee

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

One detail I think you need to address is the columns. They're way too skinny for the house especially with the top floor. The columns need to be much larger. Right now they're really no wider than the trim around the windows.

Maybe the ones in your picture are just temporary but if not then you could have them covered to appear bigger.

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Comments (8)

smit2380
9 years ago
Funny, it would never have occurred to me to paint it ever.
Gloria Reese thanked smit2380
leelee
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
No don't paint. You'll lose the dark grout lines and all of the subtle details!
Gloria Reese thanked leelee
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leelee
9 years ago
Not sure you even need to seal it but you could Google the name/brand of the brick and see what is recommended.
Gloria Reese thanked leelee
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BeverlyFLADeziner
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Don't paint the stone, but I would make the following changes. See photo below
- I would remove some of the stone from the base of the building and the garage. Makes the house appear shorter with the stone facing
- Same size windows should have been used on second-floor dormer
- Corner pieces should have been used on the second floor siding to be consistent.
- I think a darker color for the house might be a better contrast for the stone
Gloria Reese
Original Author
9 years ago
leelee, thank you for the comments! You are correct about the porch columns but they are temporary and have been "beefed up" since I last took this picture.

BeverlyFLADeziner, I appreciate your comments, We are still in the finishing stages and will see what I can do about the trim on the second floor. I think it is the same as the first floor but wasn't painted white. I can see the difference in your rendering and like it better. The upper windows will have Bahama shutters. If they haven't been ordered yet, what do you think about making them longer than the windows? The siding has been continued down to be level with the stone porch but I will share your drawing and see if they will agree to continue it all the way. The first floor of the house hasn't been painted yet in this pic. The porch ceilings have tongue and groove to be painted Haint Blue. Thank you again for your suggestions.
Nicholas Broderick
9 years ago
I do not believe that there needs to be any painting involved. There may be something that is off to the eye, but I believe it is something else entirely.

It may just be that the the columns needs to be beefed up a bit and I am happy to hear that has already happened. Perhaps you could share an updated picture?
Gloria Reese thanked Nicholas Broderick
Gloria Reese
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Nicholas. Apart from the columns, there isn't much change but this week should see a big difference. I'll share another picture soon!