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kim4ofus

Exterior Arches or remove and simplify?

3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

My contractor has suggested removing the arches to the left of the front door. They are decorative only and currently block the view from the kitchen window. The arch front door could be squared off but is load bearing. The house was damaged by a hurricane and will be re-stuccoed, so now would be a good time to remove them. Just thinking the house would be too plain without them. Considering adding decorative hurricane shutters. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!


Added new photo of current house progress. Looks like an entirely different house. Thinking about shutter ideas and maybe a trellis to the left of the small window.











Comments (20)

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I do not like them at all. But what is the style you are wanting from the house . This to me is "modern" spanish and not well done so I would remove them all. As for being too plain that will all depend on what you do for windows , garage door and color of stucco and for sure landscaping. If you love the arches then IMO all the windows need to be arched too.

    Kim thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 3 years ago

    If I were to choose a style it would be Modern coastal. This home is near a beach. The arches were an add-on, probably in the 1970's.


  • 3 years ago

    I would lean in to the arches. Continue the short ones down to the ground and turn that area into a cute little open patio/lanai space. I would somehow try to make the square windows to the left be less obvious…with landscaping, etc. I even like the curved edges to your garage opening! I would focus on designing a landscape that would compliment the curves. Having the arches doesn’t mean you can’t have modern elements. I might be the outsider here, but I like the arches!

    Kim thanked ptreckel
  • 3 years ago

    I like the arches, but am not a fan of blocking views. Your landscaping is lackluster at best. The palms suggest you could have stuff blooming all year long. I'd start by planting up your fountain circle. Then review your foundation shrubs.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Remove the arches to unblock your view. Use landscaping to make that side less plain. This is pretty nice with a seating area over by the front door. You could extend your driveway towards the entrance for an inviting patio entryway.

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    Do roll-down hurricane shutters since the windows are so small.

    Kim thanked housegal200
  • 3 years ago

    It looks like the two arches you're referring to are on a patio wall. Do you want the wall, or would it be better to open that space up? Do you use the patio? I can't tell from the pictures how it is all put together, but I guess now is the time to think about everything related to the exterior.

    Kim thanked kandrewspa
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    I would definitely remove the arches ( including that little one on the left ) & concentrate my efforts & $ on new landscaping.

    Kim thanked K Laurence
  • 3 years ago

    OK….so now you are sorting it out. But you do understand that you will need to invest in landscaping, including hardscaping, so that the parts of your home that are now exposed are better integrated into the design.

    Kim thanked ptreckel
  • 3 years ago

    Any thoughts on if I square off the arches like this? Pretty but not sure my arches are tall enough.



  • 3 years ago

    No on squared off arches. Practically everyone is suggesting, along with your contractor, that arches be removed. Plan beautiful landscaping and hardscaping of patio area, if that's what it is behind the arches, to open up your house, which is hidden behind the arches. Why are you asking about more arches?

  • 3 years ago

    I think removing those little closed areas would be the place to start…if you want to use those spaces for anything .. little decks with pergolas will completely change the look of your home… while removing most of the arches

    Kim thanked btydrvn
  • 3 years ago

    @simplynatural: That looks great! OP should note how beautifully your rendering of landscaping frames the house.

  • 3 years ago

    @simplynatural: That looks amazing! Thank you! The visual really helps!

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    I'm sorry about your hurricane damage.

    is it possible that the arches were added to protect the house from the sun and heat? If so, if you take them out you may have to think of an alternative way to block the sun.

  • 3 years ago

    Thanks @deegw The house faces north.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I'd take them down and put in breeze blocks instead.



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  • 3 years ago

    Here are some houses with walls. Some walls are too high, but this will give you an idea. A low wall below the windows as simply natural suggests would open up your entrance yet give you some privacy to sit outside.


  • 3 years ago

    @housegal200 Those are great ideas. Thank You!

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago







    Just wanted to add an update. Here is the current house without the arches, and with new stucco. Still needs to be painted, Probably white with maybe lighter blue accent colors.

    I'm thinking of putting an striped awning over the front door area and maybe decorative shutters around the 2 larger windows. A decorative shutter window in the far left area, that will be a shed, and will have a low roof over it.

    Will definitely need lots of landscaping, and maybe a trellis for bougainvillea to the left of the small window. Any thoughts? It's taking awhile, but finally seeing some progress. Thanks!

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