Software
Houzz Logo Print
nchamber

Need help with house exterior

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

This is a photo of the house we‘re building. the exterior has to be brick and stone This is the brick and stone we’ve chosen. I would love suggestions for how to mix the two to achieve the best look. I was thinking to have stone on each end and brick in the middle where the plan shows white siding but am questioning that




Comments (22)

  • 5 years ago

    Use the brick as the foundation aroudn the whole house only up to where the first floor begins. Then stone for the rest.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Stone should be mortared, not dry stack.


    How much stone and how much brick is required?

  • 5 years ago

    The entire front must be brick or brick/stone combined

  • 5 years ago

    Cost is a factor, so IMO, just use brick...skip the stone. Remember that you will have foundation landscaping which, in many cases, would so obscure any foundation stone such that it would be nearly invisible. Selecting the right "brick blend" depends on your individual taste. There are literally hundreds of blends to choose from...and the color of the mortar is also important. When choosing keep in mind your window frame color and whether you're going to have a wood door as shown in the example photo. It might be possible to have the brickyard "overlay" some of your choices onto the sample photo so you can see the full effect.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I agree that brick is a better choice. Don't mix with stone. Keep the siding as drawn or even increase it so you can do brick all around. Look for a more subtle brick mix; one without such a wide color variety.

  • 5 years ago

    That is a busy brick. Have you seen it on other homes? Can you share some photos of those?

  • 5 years ago

    yes here is a house with the same brick and some stone. The sides and back of ours will be all brick. i love the mix of stone and brick. i feel it softens the coldness of brick. putting siding on the house isnt an option due to neighborhood restrictions

  • 5 years ago

    Hmm i cant upload the photo here so ill try in a new thread if you be so kind as to go there i would appreciate it!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Just wait until the picture finishes "graying" and it should load. Do not start separate threads.

    I have never perceived brick as "cold" but certainly have for stone. I suggest making this house all brick. Siding in the gables as noted already. You are fortunate that siding is not an option for the sides and back, your house will look better for it.

    We have developments full of houses with only the fronts looking "nice" and the sides and back looking like utility sheds. Considering so many are on cul-de-sacs on hills, we get many views of the ugly sides and backs, hardly any of the "finished" fronts.


    There are some developments that REQUIRE the use of 2 or even three materials, it helps to find a coordinating color among the multiple options to somehow tie them all together, Simple is usually best.

    nchamber thanked Anna (6B/7A in MD)
  • 5 years ago

    Don't choose anything until you read this: https://mariakillam.com/brickandstone/ Maria has been blogging for over a decade and designing much longer. She's an expert in choosing color and finishes.

    nchamber thanked AGKY
  • 5 years ago

    Same brick different stone example


  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Make exterior design decisions based upon all sides of the house, not just the front elevation.

    nchamber thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
  • 5 years ago

    Amy glasscock - yes I’ve read that article i like her a lot Interestingly she commented that this house Im inserting was well done with both brick and stone


  • 5 years ago

    Mark Bischak- the sides and back will be brick, garage doors and windows white

  • 5 years ago

    See if you can get someone to photoshop the different options for you. Start with replacing all of the siding in your first photo with brick, keeping the stone where it is and then try it with stone on the highest gable behind the front door, stone on the pillars and stone on the small gable on the left.

    nchamber thanked Tracey Woods
  • 5 years ago

    I was under the impression the OP had to use both stone and brick. If not, then I agree 1000% to just use brick.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Tracey Woods- i would like nothing more than that. I’ve been to Acme brick and the mason and neither have the capability I dont know where else to ask

  • 5 years ago

    There are Facebook sites you can try for Photoshop assistance. Photoshop Fairy Requests and PhotoSHOP Edits and Requests.

  • 5 years ago

    Tracey Woods thank you I’ll do that!

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Will suggest that if you have shutters on your house you make them operable and size them correctly to fit the windows. Would also include shutter dogs to hold them open.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I find this front elevation very busy. When I compare the OP's home with the one where two materials are combined nicely, I see alternating whole *sections* of the second home, each clad entirely in one material or the other. I see no fussy returns on the guttering or extra 'detailing' on the windows. The brick is a solid color, not a busy comination of shades.

    If you want two materials, I'd like to see them all around the house, not only in front.