Help to change the front of my ugly 80's (infill) house?

6 years ago

I have recently bought an ugly 80's 'infill' (surrounded by Edwardian semis in leafy suburb of Cheltenham).
It was a rental for 10yrs and is definitely unloved, but has 4 large bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a decent living space - also requiring remodelling. The only architect I have asked to look at it said - standard render, powder coated alu frames, change roof tiles, flat roof extension (there is a pitched single storey with 2 big velux). I wasn't impressed by his response, as every next 60s and 70s house here has that take on remodelling and they are not necessarily great next to the redbrick Edwardian houses. Any help please? I was thinking of a long front porch and bringing out a bay, plus garage conversion is defo option.

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Emmanuelle

6 years ago

Here a few examples...

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Comments (31)

Daisy England
6 years ago
If it were mine I wouldn't want to render the front. There's nothing wrong with the bricks so why would you want to spend money rendering and the future maintenance of it? Nor would I change the roof tiles. Another unnecessary expense.
malleymorton thanked Daisy England
PRO
FPA architects
6 years ago
Hi

Perhaps consider altering the proportions of the window by lowering the cills - eg the window above the garage could drop to the floor level allowing for French windows and a Juliet balcony. This would let more light into the bedroom, reduce the large amount of plain brickwork between the garage and window and create an interesting, contemporary feature.

Re-proportioning the other windows, might also create some more room to add a double height entrance extension with oversized front door and glazing above - by creating such an extension you have a feature entrance and a reduction in the expanse of plain brickwork on the frontage. re-scaling the windows might at least provide more width to create a statement with the entrance (the entrance could do with some over scaling)

from the photo it appears the mentioned single storey element to the rear has a lean-to monopitch roof. Depending on first floor window configurations, it might be worth investigating the possibility of replacing the roof with a duopitch roof (a roof with two slopes that meet at a central ridge) - this might allow for a vaulted ceiling in the room below, should still allow for rooflights and a fully glazed gable elevation onto the rear garden.

Have you checked on the 'Find a Pro' section of Houzz? I'm sure you will find architects in the Cheltenham area, check out their work and message any that you like the look of - I can assure you they wont mind you getting in touch!
malleymorton thanked FPA architects
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The scale of the openings in the wall (windows, door, garage door) appear disproportionate to the amount of brickwork - consider increasing window sizes, by lowering cills and widening. The facade is very flat, adding a porch will help (as long as it is scaled appropriately) but if there is room at the front there might be scope to do more - perhaps a two storey feature entrance extension with a gable above (subject to planning approval). This offers an opportunity to make a statement of the front door, breaks up the flat wall and the roof-scape. As an example, the images below show the before and after of a remodelled house with lowered windows cills and entrance extensions added Of course all possibilities are subject to budget but you potentially have a very exciting project ahead of you
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I would suggest as others have, a bigger porch, will allow you more storage as well,particularly when it's wet outside. Also, perhaps render or paint the extension and porch to tie them together, but to do the whole thing might be too blocky and monolithic. Do the windows work for you from the inside? You might find that if, for example, you do the porch and extension in white, the windows aren't so obvious. If they don't work for you, look at making them larger and more symmetrical. They seem quite small for the house.
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malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you,

I agree with your comments on the front windows, do you know if I need planning permission for this? Amazingly, we are just outside the conservation area of Cheltenham.

Also, I hadn't thought of a duo pitched roof at the rear - the rear of the property faces NNW on the rear so it is dark until the summer light comes around. There is space to do this between windows. We were considering taking off the roofing on the extension and putting in 4 long Velux style or roof light windows to gain much needed light, getting rid of the hanging ceiling, lifting it up to the current rafters.

A duo pitch would only allow for light from the patio aspect (albeit higher) and not via the roof, methinks (as I couldn't put a velux in if it were overlooking the neighbours - but I'm not sure that it would count as that).

Thank you again, you have raised some really interesting comments.

C
PRO
FPA architects
6 years ago
A pleasure

If you were in a Conservation Area you would need planning permission. Otherwise you should be able to change the windows under permitted development rights - As your house is a relatively new infill house it is worth checking whether there were any planning conditions removing the PD rights on the property.

Therefore, if you are submitting a planning application i suggest you include all alterations even if you think some fall under permitted development rights. If you are not submitting a full application, submit an application to the planning department for a 'Certificate of Lawfulness' - this will provide you with confirmation that your alterations are acceptable without planning approval. It could be a handy document to have if you ever decide to sell the house.

If you choose to change windows you will need to get Building Regulations approval - lowering cill levels will probably require safety glass that can withstand the requisite impact test. Also the windows will have to meet the building regulations' thermal requirements.

A local architect will help you navigate the above.
malleymorton thanked FPA architects
shelleyuk
6 years ago
What is your approximate budget? I have found that exterior alterations are extremely expensive. As such my exterior transformation is proving to be a rather lengthy undertaking as we gradually manage to do it bit by bit.
malleymorton thanked shelleyuk
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
There is a fair bit to do inside too, so all in all I'm trying to be conservative with what I do - just want to bring it into 21st century with a few nice features to make it sit better in it's surroundings.
Sonia
6 years ago
I'm no expert, but at first glance the tiny brown windows and the front door with the porch stuck to one side are the main eyesores. How about changing the windows and build a more balanced porch, and change the front door? My brother is a builder and on a recent job he built a gorgeous, thick oak porch and changed the door to soft blue, and the windows are soft grey and it looks fab. It was previously a dull, ugly 1950's house. It has a modern country look now.
malleymorton thanked Sonia
PRO
Port Architects Ltd.
6 years ago
Hi. We are architects in Cheltenham and would be glad to help.
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
forzaitalia - Thank you, you have described exactly what I was considering on the front, an oak porch style effect, either way I need to widen the doorway, it is way too small.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I love house! Brick looks good and fresh. You just need some curb appeal and front door.
malleymorton thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
There is also an opportunity to extend entry.
malleymorton thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Door is better in the middle.
malleymorton thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If you extend hanging , you can have porch with railing and bench or without it.
malleymorton thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
Celerygirl what software did you use for those pictures, they are great. I like the wooden effect but I think I need to push it back to nearer the current porch as we need turing space.
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Emannuelle, I've always loved that top house change you have shown, the last one has raised some discussion in our house. Thank you.
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
Where is Createperfect on this blogg? I like her ideas...
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
Gina Everett...
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
OK this was only done on a MS paint style software... but you get the idea.

next one better idea methinks.
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago

This one is a green oak porch facing out and no angled porch over window... but just a wisteria and plants, but with Juliette balcony and deeper windows above, plus the garage converstion.
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
Bigger oak porch - which could be angled, 45deg, too, and with the solar panels on roof to break up the tile monotony.
PRO
Create Perfect
6 years ago
I am here! :)
Hello. I am at Grand Designs doing a few talks today but I’ll drop you an email as soon as I finish this evening.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
@malleymorton I use Photoshop.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Here we are, if I got your idea right...
malleymorton thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
With white trim

It looks simple with white trim. I like more drama...with brown. :-))
malleymorton thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
Actually, I think you are right regarding keeping the brown upvc afterall, celerygirl. Thank you.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
you are very welcome :-))
chloeloves
6 years ago
Hi Malley. Thank you for asking my advice! For what it's worth here goes;

I agree with you that no extension of the front window is needed, the oak framed porch with A frame exposed, extending further out as per celery girls input with wisteria and box plants looks great. Regarding colour, I'm afraid I disagree about the brown windows, to me they scream 80's developer taste and are very dating and clash with the red. If you are going to go to the expense of replacing the windows to enlarge the apertures I would consider grey or grey/green grey/blue, these will all tone nicely with the red brick, white would be too harsh. Love the idea of the juliette window BTW. Do a search in Houzz for red bricks and grey windows, you will get a lot of images to think about. I'm not sure I agree that adding solar panels to the roof will be an improvement, yes they will break up those tiles, but they are not a thing of beauty are they, could they be on the rear instead? If budget did allow, after you have done your extension, windows etc I would look into the cost of replacing those roof tiles with slate as again I think they are dating, but agree with Daisy that it would probably be expensive and would not increase value on the house. Best of luck!
malleymorton thanked chloeloves
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
Chloeloves, thank you for your feedback. Actually, I have come to agreement with the colours you mention for the windows.
Helen C
6 years ago
Joining the discussion late here but looking at the great mock ups I think there needs to be a window above the door, there is a great expanse of brick in this area. Also wanted to post this photo which is a house approx 5 years old in an area surrounded by Edwardian red brick houses- it blends in very well. Note the small pitched roof above the right hand top window which balances the house out which I don’t think has been mentioned above. I would personally make more of a feature of the porch by including stilts. I would also consider building in hardwood and painting rather than oak as oak reminds me of country properties rather than city/towns.
malleymorton thanked Helen C
malleymorton
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I am re-igniting my front of house design dilemna with at street view of my neighbouring properties.. this Google street map image was taken before I owned the property, the hedge to the left has now been cut right back to bare bones (fence) to manage it. The kitchen window does not have a net on it any longer. The brown gate is ours, the unpainted is the neighbouring property.

We need help on deciding how to pretty this house up. It is vaguely arts and crafts style (albeit of no real design 1986).

I should also say that the photo is a little squished from the sides (as you can see from the car in the image).