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Design Dilemma Exteriors

How to make an exterior less 'dated'

7 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

About to embark on an update to our house. Exterior looking tired and dated, wood cladding needs replacing. Thinking of adding some insulation. Anyone with any bright ideas? Also, what to do with that gap under the house?

Featured Answer

Thomas Hanks

7 years ago

Polished concrete would look superb, for the space under the house if you could make a chopped wood cavity like the one in the photo it would be so dramatic and teleport the house right into the hills of Chamonix

Wain Rd - Pre-Cast Insulated Concrete Panel Passive Solar Home · More Info

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Comments (16)

Jonathan
7 years ago
Given that maintenance of the house in the exposed side is going to be difficult I think you should choose a maintenance free finish.
I imagine given the age of this house the insulation could be improved.
I am not keen on adding a third finish to the boarding and render- whatever you choose next I would only have two finishes.
I would block in the area under the house, I imagine this will improve storage and insulation but personally I would just want to feel the house was more supported.
In conclusion I would breeze block under the house, wrap the house in additional insulation then rerender in a dirt proof coloured render. Lastly I would add some cladding to break up the render- I would investigate maintenance free alternatives to the wood- for instance UPVC wood cladding is often used in costal areas, you could choose a different material such as slate or porcelain or choose something that looks better as it ages such as metal sheeting.
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Changes of fenestration such as changing the shape of the arched window will require planning approval so you should probably decide on everything you intend to do and then make an application. Designers, Architects and architectural technicians can all help here- I would expect them to be showing you in CAD how the house could look. How far you go depends on the available budget. In my opinion the house could benefit from swapping the current leaded light windows for something simpler. Your current windows are not very deep and and the fan lights exaggerate that so perhaps replacements without might be better....and these could look great in all the colours you suggested- personally I just like to see a contrast with the brick so would rather see a light colour choice with this brick. I would probably choose sage green. In my opinion the front door looks undersized next to the big arched window but painting the door and side panel the same colour will make it look bigger. Also I wonder if you are thinking about changing the arched window because it is sitting uncomfortably next to the window next door..... perhaps it is the window above the door that is wrong...... in fact if that is a bathroom and you could get away with a skylight instead I think I would rather leave the arched window and block up the one above the door. However for me the 1950s proportions of the windows slightly let down this house and the suggested full height windows of the garage conversion seem out of place too. If you have the money for a full facelift I would be looking for your CAD expert to show you how the house could look with different shaped window apertures- for instance the two windows to the left of the front door in my opinion would have more presence if they were deeper and fanlights would also work better then. The window above the front door seems too wide and too close to the corner and should relate more to the window next to it that is currently arched- perhaps get rid of this door above the front door or perhaps make it narrower. In my opinion continuing the garage roof towards the front door and building forward the ground floor window to the right of the front door would unify the garage extension with the main house and make it easier to choose a window style for the garage conversion as you would then likely choose three matching small windows. I might even consider making the window of the room over the garage a little narrower. However the room over the garage is a later addition and does illustrate that it is possible to match these bricks so using render to cover your changes may not be necessary and I agree that the brick and the climbing plants help make this a pretty and traditional looking house and unsympathetic changes could ruin that feel.
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samcork
Original Author
7 years ago
I do worry about the house being supported on one side by just three metal poles... but it does look dramatic! Metal sheeting does sound good, though this is in a conservation area.

The area under the house is a bit odd as it doesn't match the house above (you can see the left hand support is against the house and the one on the far right is about a meter out). Partner suggested a nativity scene in there for Christmas. Hmmm.

Many thanks for the ideas.
Kyle Barrett
7 years ago
I think the supports are really interesting, personally! If you could find someone to add some more joists diagonally, to form X shapes between them and have them painted high gloss black I think that'd look wonderful.

the problem with that wall I think is that you don't want the buildings storeys to be externally defined on the verge side. Just one wall of cladding of some variety and then the joists. The stone work behind the joists already breaks the wall up, as does your wonderful 'bay' window.

Amazing property already.
samcork thanked Kyle Barrett
anniebalou
7 years ago
You've got a lovely kitchen - what colours are the units, and which way does your room face? I think the Rockett St George stool will look great!
PRO
Marbleplasterdesigns
7 years ago
A different colour render
PRO
Moon Tree
7 years ago
External Wall Insulation offers a huge amount of variety, from self cleaning silicon renders to wood cladding or brick slips. On top of that you could save up to 40% on your heating bills. We have a free guide on our website if that is any help. Good luck! www.moon-tree.co.uk
samcork thanked Moon Tree
lisa77226
7 years ago
Emma I do have the space for a flu, there are 3 external walls and 2 are in my garden so there are no issues with permission, it's just the cost.... thanks :)
sukiharrison
7 years ago
hi there, I would paint the cladding in a lovely neutral colour to brighten it up and the space underneath is crying out for a varander with decking and change or cover the supports for something a bit nicer looking
samcork thanked sukiharrison
PRO
ArchitectureLIVE
7 years ago
Do take a look at some of the 1960s properties we've renovated be it with insulated timber cladding, render and/or slate for ideas. Good luck with your project.
Renovated and extended 1960s house in West Sussex · More Info

Renovated & extended 1960s home in Lodsworth, West Sussex · More Info

Renovated 1960s home in Haslemere · More Info
samcork thanked ArchitectureLIVE
samcork
Original Author
7 years ago
Great update. Really love the black wood cladding.
PRO
Clifton Stone
7 years ago
The cladding could be a great feature, I like the black images above - they add a strong contrast and a modern touch. Adding a log pile in the gap is a fab idea, you could also look at some interesting planting in colours that will complement the cladding colour and your existing garden.
Chris Goodchild
7 years ago
The space under the house doesn't look to be that accessible, so I would block it in as Johnathan suggests, just leave an access hatch for inspection and clad in stone to match the existing stone work.

For the exterior I would continue the cladding using a composite like fibrous cement or UPVC with good insulation underneath and finish in a dark colour.

The steel poles appear to be supporting the ends of RSJs so they will need to stay, just paint and maintain them as they are holding up their end of the house.
PRO
Wood Window Alliance
7 years ago
I think black vertical board on board cladding would look good. But to me, the period look of the house is great and should be respected. Think Palm Springs Modern (and timber windows).
Liz
7 years ago
We went for black triple gazed windows and Siberian larch cladding on our 70's house.

Have attached some bigoted and after photos.
Liz
7 years ago
Sorry obviously should read 'before and after photos'
Auto correct is not always helpful

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