I need help with the elevation of the exterior of my new home

12 years ago

I am having a house built in Florida, about 1/2 mile from the beach, but inside a residential community that has mostly 1-story, stucco front houses that are typical of the cookie-cutter suburban area. (I have attached a photo of similar homes in community). I can't change the floor plan.

I really like the traditional look of white siding with black shutters - which looks beautiful on a 2-story home, but mine is only 1-story. My community allows for stucco, stone/brick, or siding. What would you suggest to make my home seem a bit more coastal/traditional but not break the bank or change to 2 story?

Featured Answer

PRO

sstarr93

12 years ago

ok, it might look something like this, depending on the exact dimensions of your windows, etc. You would need to have custom shutters to echo the curve of your head windows:

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Comments (26)

PRO
sstarr93
12 years ago
The actual elevation of your house doesn't match the drawing; it appears that the gable on the left was expanded by perhaps 18" toward the windows. Therefore, it doesn't look (from the photograph) as though you have enough room for a shutter on the left side of that window. Your house is flipped from the drawing, correct?
Barbie C
Original Author
12 years ago
the drawing is the actual elevation....the picture is just a typical house of the neighborhood we are moving into. It is not the house we are building - although, on closer look, it sure looks similar to mine. :)
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PRO
sstarr93
12 years ago
Then from the drawing, it appears that you have enough room for shutters, which could be very attractive, and shaped to include the header section of the windows. If you like horizontal siding, that could work also.
Barbie C thanked sstarr93
Barbie C
Original Author
12 years ago
Oh ok, you don't think my roof line is too low for siding to look appropriate on this house?
PRO
sstarr93
12 years ago
Not at all; it is much more attractive than the one in the photo. Do a 3D rendering of your house to get a better idea of how it will look when finished. Or, ask your builder for one.
If you can't do that, post the dimensions and I will post a quickie rendering.
Barbie C
Original Author
12 years ago
Would these dimensions helo you do that? Its all I have so far from builder.
PRO
sstarr93
12 years ago
Perfect. ;-) I'll have a look.
Barbie C
Original Author
12 years ago
hmm....didn't show up as clear as I wanted - sorry. Says its 66' wide, 48' deep. Garage is 22' wide and front door with windows on sides are set back 4'4" back. Each window to left and right of front door are 12'4" wide. The front door section is 6'4" and is set back 2'.
PRO
sstarr93
12 years ago
Do you happen to know the height of your exterior walls to the point where they meet the eaves?
PRO
sstarr93
12 years ago
Yes, I got all the other measurements, no prob.... just want to get the wall height close to correct...
Barbie C thanked sstarr93
Barbie C
Original Author
12 years ago
no...I know that the ceiling height is 10ft for the areas with windows that are flanking the front door and the far right window area has only 8ft ceilings.
PRO
sstarr93
12 years ago
yes, I was guessing 10' on the center section, thanks
User
12 years ago
Uhoh :) you may get the shutter purists upset if it does not match the actual window size ;D
User
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
To make horizontal siding look better, consider reducing the slope of the roof by 1/12 or 2/12 from front to back ONLY in order to give the roof line a more horizontal look as well.
PRO
sstarr93
12 years ago
Hi Fred, how are you?
User
12 years ago
Good. Just stopping in to say hi :)
Denita
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Fred S, ,,,I was going to suggest impact resistant windows rather than shutters :(
Barbie C
Original Author
12 years ago
WOW, thanks for doing that sstarr!
Chromatic
12 years ago
I know Florida construction and that is a concrete cinderblock construction. Siding is going to be an extra expense. And you do NOT want a wood frame house in Florida. I think the shutters are outstanding. Spend the extra money on those and if they can be substantial and actually close to protect your house in a hurricane, all the better. Do shutters, but keep stucco. You may consider a Galvalume metal roof. Then your house starts to look Bermuda style.
Barbie C
Original Author
12 years ago
Most houses around here are wood frame...the siding will actually be less than stucco. We have a stucco house now over a wood frame and its had a couple issues. We will be doing the shutters! Thanks
PRO
American Slate Company
12 years ago
Barbie, Have you consider a slate roof. That will stand out from all other roof in the area. Go to our website americanslate.com
PRO
Cole Design Studio, Inc.
12 years ago
I would carry the returns all the way across the front of the gables. That way you could run the fiber-cement siding up to that point and change up in the gables to a hardi-shake. I think this would give you a nice Low Country look to the house and break up the horizontal siding everywhere.
Barbie C thanked Cole Design Studio, Inc.
bgfuqua
12 years ago
is your house wood frame or concrete block?
Chromatic
12 years ago
You need to be sure about that wood vs block construction. I think most areas have new codes requiring block construction. Hurricanes are no joking matter here in Florida and 1/2 mile from the beach?. Block will be stronger in a storm and you wont have the same concerns with termites.
Barbie C
Original Author
12 years ago
concrete block would be better - just more money. No code restriction for us