Software
Houzz Logo Print
kathy_willis49

Modern Exterior design - Colors? Stucco? Metal? Ideas please! :)

6 years ago

Hi! Building a modern house in Louisiana. Want to do stucco on at least part of the house, but prefer not to do all over due to cost. Plan on wrapping balcony with galvanized metal (see pic). What other materials could I use that aren't too expensive to give accent and prevent this 2 story home from looking drab. The window frames are tan/beige. The roof is going to be ash gray (light platinum looking gray). Going for earthy tones, nothing bright. I included a pic where I was working with different color/material patches. I appreciate your advice and opinions! Thanks!









Comments (24)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Well...what is the advice of whomever designed this?


    It's sorta late in the game to be looking for mascara and lipstick...

  • 6 years ago

    Galvanized corrugated steel is the cheapest looking junk on the planet. It belongs on a Quonset hut and nothing more (except maybe a grain silo).

    Why anyone would use that as a finish surface is beyond me.

  • 6 years ago

    May we see the finished elevation?

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    hi...i read all the replies...and

    best ... stone (or brick color by choice) height up to 4 feet high and stucco is ideal for different reasons one if the stucco chosen is good you guy will have the ultimate weather proof for the house around doors and windows...plus saving on power bills (summer &winter) not mentioning the house will be water proof...
    note is stucco u can choose a special apply on before installing the stucco system.and if u need more info willing to help more
    Kathy Willis thanked Golden Ratio Contracting
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Thank you all for your comments. I appreciate that you took the time to write something, even if not the most positive thing. The story behind this house is long and involves so much more than building a house so I wont waste anyones time by even trying to explain. The house was going to be full stucco, but as things have progressed I wanted to try to add some other elements to it.

    Tatts, I appreciate your opinion on the galvanized metal. Would you have any suggestions on a different material that may look pleasing to wrap the balcony that you wouldn't find on a grain silo?

    Virgil, my husband and I are the designers of this home. And, as a woman I'm always changing lipstick and mascara! :) I have the luxury of being able to consider alternate materials mid build because we are self contracting.

    Emmarene9, thank you for your question. I'll try to get it uploaded this eve.

  • 6 years ago
    What are the other siding materials/colors besides the steel? Most of the colors you mentioned (ie tan) don’t really strike me as modern.
    Kathy Willis thanked Kirsten E.
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Get local professional assistance. You have potential to have one big ugly box.

    Kathy Willis thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
  • 6 years ago

    GRC, thank you for your comment. Appreciate you offer to help. Thank you so much.


    Kirsten, Im going to upload a pic of a house that I really like and would like to emulate somewhat. Maybe tan wasn't really the right choice to describe color palette. See pic below. I liked the colors and how they wrapped the metal around the balcony. Obviously not everyones cup of tea! :) But I like the industrial feel that it gives.





    Mark, thank you for your advice.

  • 6 years ago

    Executing what you like in your inspiration pic will be way more expensive than stucco.

    My architect has used standing seam zinc in a number of builds and it looks great. He's also used core ten steel, as well as perforated screens over a more "boring" substrate.

    I agree with getting professional help - especially someone familiar with materials, craftsman, and capabilities in your geographic area. Finding someone to do this will be as challenging as actually deciding WHAT to do.

    Kathy Willis thanked just_janni
  • 6 years ago

    just_janni Thank you so much! Exactly the kind of ideas Im looking for! I appreciate you taking the time to write. Thanks again!

  • 6 years ago

    I love the windows and roof overhang. I like the look of metal siding. It is your home, do what you like :) I would like to see the floor plan. But you will likely be criticized by some of the negative people here so only post the floor plan if you can handle the critiques, as well as your final product. I appreciate the uniqueness of your home! Wood siding might not be weatherproof enough for you. But the combo wood, metal, stucco is appealing to me. Here is something I found:


    And another


    And another



    And another

    Kathy Willis thanked lafdr
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    You might look at some of the metal roofing/siding suppliers websites.

    I use Metal Sales https://www.metalsales.us.com and they have many interesting profiles in the commercial section, and images of completed projects.

    When combining a variety of different materials you will need to be mindful of how they work together, not just for looks but also for function. Flashing and various rates of expansion/contraction will need to be well thought out.

    Kathy Willis thanked PPF.
  • 6 years ago

    Thank you so very much lafdr! Yes, I can handle the negative. Didn't expect that honestly when I posted, but I certainly dont mind, and actually invite, constructive criticism. It would be nice if the negative could include some alternate suggestions, but hey, that's not how the world turns! :) Ill try to get the floor plan posted as well. Im going to check out the links you sent now. Much appreciation from LA!

  • 6 years ago

    "My architect has used standing seam zinc in a number of builds and it looks great. He's also used core ten steel, as well as perforated screens over a more "boring" substrate."


    I was going to suggest the same thing. Look at an aluminum corrugated if you must, square profile would look ok in a painted finish. While I appreciate the cost factor you definitely need the right siding package or the house will look honestly like crap (especially modern).

  • 6 years ago
    With tan windows, I think your color options are more limited than you could otherwise get away with, but since you want a natural look, you probably weren’t planning to go too bold anyway :) Here are some color palette/siding combos I think could work well to achieve the look you’ve described. Wood siding, stone tile (not sure what that one is exactly), and brick all look to be a natural, modern siding statement elements (not sure they would be more cost effective though!).
    Kathy Willis thanked Kirsten E.
  • 6 years ago

    Kirsten, thank you for those suggestions. I like those exteriors for sure!

  • 6 years ago

    Springtime builders thank you for your comment. The house will have a second wrap before stucco and yes we will mind the gap! You are so right and we dont want to have water behind the stucco. Thank you so much for the link you included. Very good article. And yes my husband was all about that sill flashing! :)

  • 6 years ago
    Kathy Willis thanked emmarene9
  • 6 years ago

    Don't know anything about building, but I had this house saved for the metal..

    Kirkland Avenue Residence · More Info

    " The exterior forms are emphasized with glass and fiber-cement panels at the top level, soaring over and sheltering containers clad in tougher, leathery Corten Steel at the ground level. Exposed concrete walls and rock-filled gabion retaining was selected to anchor the partially day-lighted basement level and garages to the land. Materials were chosen to be low-maintenance, relatively inexpensive, and to contrast the volumes that express the interior spaces. "

    Kathy Willis thanked kulrn
  • 6 years ago

    Hi Kulrn! That looks like the Corten steel mentioned earlier in the post. Neat! I definitely like the different material elements on this house. Thank you so much for your comment and sharing that pic.

  • 6 years ago

    Emmarene9, yes Hardie is an option. The only thing about Hardie is having to re-caulk the seams. The southern heat really takes a toll and degrades the caulking. Our last house was all Hardie board. Maybe we need to use a different caulking....? Thank you so much for posting! I appreciate all suggestions. Im gonna look into this and see if we can maybe get a longer lasting caulk to use.

  • 3 years ago

    Can you update us with final pictures of the home?

Sponsored
RHS Remodeling
Average rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars24 Reviews
Loudoun County, VA's Top Handyman Service | Best of Houzz 2018-2019