New Build Roof Advice

2 years ago

Hello! What would you do to this roof line to make it more interesting? We mostly like it, but it’s one big long line of roof. Does it need a hip roof? Does it need something in the middle above the front porch? Should we move the left gable to the right side of the door? What would you do?

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PRO

HALLETT & Co.

2 years ago

Unless the lot is below the road the roof will be about half as prominent in real life as it is in the elevation drawing.

I also think the exterior needs less materials and more clarity. You have two over two windows which are a late Victorian/ 1900 detail, an arts and crafts front door, an arts and crafts lodge style porch, cottage batten shutters that don’t fit the windows, and Brick detailing from a 1960’s ranch (prior to the mid century I’ve never seen brick ending at a window sill). Choose one era. I like them all but pick one, and two types of siding (right now it appears you have three)

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Comments (6)

PRO
PPF.
2 years ago
Why does the roof need to be more interesting?

I'd focus on the overall design -- it could be improved.

Instead of bricking random bits on the front of the house, consider using all siding. If there is money for brick, use it to cover the foundation.

Make sure the details are well defined and you understand how things will actually be be built, and look when complete.

Consider your windows. And I hope they will not be black. Your designer used the same double hung window everywhere, just resized. I like the individual pane sizes to be proportional. For the 3 windows, I might do this. Same overall width, but now the proportions of each pane are closer to the other windows.

And columns should support a beam, which supports the roof.

Here is a link to info about shutters.

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/
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Melanie Donnelly
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you for this advice! The person helping us design the house isn’t an architect. He works with the lumber company who will be providing the lumber for our house and we get a good deal this way, however my husband and I are having a hard time figuring out what we are doing on the outside of this house!
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
This house is probably your biggest investment. Someone has to design it- obviously you are getting what you pay for with the free guy so either you need to pay someone, learn design yourself (I don’t mean that sarcastically, buy some books and learn the basics of different styles), or let the internet help you. There are tons of creative people on here that could help you if you give some direction.
cpartist
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
If this is the outside, I'd also be concerned about the inside.

Have you thought about posting the inside to get real advice? A lumber co person is not a person of design talent and it shows by the exterior. I hate to think of what's wrong on the interior.
rainyseason
2 years ago
Agree with all the prior comments about the muddled overall design. Focusing on the roof, it’s already too ‘interesting’, too complicated, and too busy. The 2D drawing reads way differently than real life; you want the overall design and curb appeal to be the focus, not the roof. Simple rooflines are generally easier and more economical to construct as well.