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Design DilemmaWindowsExteriors
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Exterior house styling

HU-984220420
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

Hi I’m looking for advice on colour choices and designs for the window frames, cladding, new front door, garage door and possible updated porch for this family house to try make it more attractive.





Featured Answer
  • HU-290967725
    3 years ago

    Beautiful house! Done a quick mock up to show lighter windows as you suggested.

    • Comments (52)

    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      I had to google mullions!

    • E D
      3 years ago

      Interesting and ‘different‘ house.

      Great challenge.

      When was it built?

      Can you perhaps share a couple of photos taken from further away do we can see its context?

      HU-984220420 thanked E D

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    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      It is certainly an interesting looking house. I wouldn’t want to change it too drastically. I would be inclined to build a glazed porch under the front door canopy in a style to match the existing windows and maybe take the wood cladding around the windows down to ground level squaring it off by cladding to the right of the lower window. You said new garage doors. If your budget allows I would be tempted to replace them with a style that better matches the windows, it’s the arch that doesn’t quite gel. Are the windows and door UPVC? I believe you can paint UPVC but I have no idea how successful that is. I do think they would be better a lighter shade, not white, maybe stone or buff or a shade of green such as Farrow and Ball French Grey or Card Room Green which are popular with red brick.

      HU-984220420 thanked keiblem
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Hi thanks very much for these comments. It was built in the 70s and extended in the 90s we believe.

      i like the idea of continuing the cladding to square off the window wall. Would you stop above the ground or go to the floor? Is that easy to do?

      I think the horizontal lines would be a good theme to carry through to a new garage and front door. We had thought open porch not glazed but will investigate. Thank you. These ideas are really helping us formulate more thoughts.

      the windows are wood so going to paint these - once we decide a colour.

      would you do windows and cladding in same colour?

    • Jonathan
      3 years ago

      If it were my house I would be considering trying to find some original images of when it was built for inspiration. I would also be speculating that it might have started out as an older house (perhaps a flat roofed Art Deco house and have had a pitched roof added to the parapet wall and an extension leaned on each side and a gable at the front with brick cladding.

      HU-984220420 thanked Jonathan
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Thanks Jonathan - yes it was a flat roofed square house originally, then the 2 ‘triangle’ side extensions were added - these are single storey but up half a level.

    • Jonathan
      3 years ago

      It makes sense that the roof is a later addition. In my opinion changing window colour or adding cladding or render will leave you with the same issues with proportion.

      If it were my house I would be enlisting an architect who specialises in pulling together buildings that have altered into a cohesive look. I suspect they would look at the roofline first.

      HU-984220420 thanked Jonathan
    • Juliet Docherty
      3 years ago

      I live in a house of a similar era, and I think they are a bit of a challenge. I personally think that you have to go with it and embrace the boldness. It depends on your budget, but new windows would be worth considering. It needs the brown removing and replacing with something that can compete with the huge expanse of brick and I think that is probably black. There is a mid century house near us which is black and brick and it looks really smart. Black with pale render looks a bit harsh but black with brick can look balanced. The porch is the area that looks like it needs addressing the most.

      HU-984220420 thanked Juliet Docherty
    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      The cladding should stop above the DPC (damp proof course). You will easily spot that as a dark line between two courses of bricks. It should be a minimum of six inches above the ground. If it is less than that or not visible then the paving has been put in too high. Worth checking because this can be a potential damp problem.

      Tricky question about painting the windows and cladding in the same colour. If the cladding was light, as for the windows, it might look too much but then again if the garage doors were given the same treatment and also if you go for painted cladding on the bottom of the glazed porch it may all tie in together nicely and contrast well with the brick. If you search the Internet for paint colours with red brick you may find additional inspiration.

      HU-984220420 thanked keiblem
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago
      last modified: 3 years ago

      Thanks for all your comments. I was initially thinking cream on windows / doors/ garage to try and lighten up the property but I think it may be too much on the big window wall??

      We like the anthracite grey but wondered it if was too dark - interesting re your comments of black with the brick as that would be similar - thanks. If you have any photos let us know. ??

      we are thinking of a chunky oak pillar open type porch maybe with walls third way up and more of an enclosed opening at the front and trying to centralise the actual door. Not sure if adding in oak colour anywhere else would help or if a different pillar material would work better.

      we don’t have the budget for a full architects rebuild - just trying to make the best of what we have With some alterations, paint and porch/ garage/ new front doors etc etc.

      Any more thoughts would be much appreciated.

      we live on a road where every house is completely different so not trying to tie in with anyone else - almost makes it harder!

    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      Rather than commit to a paint colour why don’t you get a few tester pots and try them out first. It would be better to paint sheets of paper and pin them up in different locations to view at different times of the day. That way you don’t invest in a lot of expensive paint and live to regret your choice!
      I had noticed that the front door isn’t central. If you install a central door in the porch it may look better but it would be a pain not being aligned with the existing front door. The way around it is to divide the porch into four panels (just like the windows) making the panel, that aligns with the existing door, the porch door. You would then have harmony, cohesion and more importantly easy traffic flow for the owners of the wellies!

      HU-984220420 thanked keiblem
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Good idea re paint colours thank you.

      yes we lots more wellies too!!

      so are you suggesting a kind of mini narrow conservatory style type porch with windows similar to the large glass window in 4 panels to embrace it? And cladding around the bottom to match? Any photos?

    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      More wellies!
      It would be more cost effective to construct a porch under the existing canopy. It may however not be the case if the area created is not big enough to suit your needs. I would suggest you weigh up your expectations and get quotes for using the existing dimensions or going bigger. As to its appearance yes I do suggest you mirror the existing 4 panelled windows. It can be fully glazed but I think the bottom panels should be infilled or clad. There is much to be learnt from the old mantra ‘less is more’. Achieving cohesion with the existing is easier on the eye.

      HU-984220420 thanked keiblem
    • carocat24
      3 years ago

      Some planting would be nice

      HU-984220420 thanked carocat24
    • Бисера Којевска
      3 years ago

      Beautiful house with natural materials. If you want to change the windows, they should be wood (not painted). You can choose which shade you prefer, light or dark, anything would be fine. If you need a porch, just extend the existing and make the construction for it with the same wood from the windows.

      I think this is the best approach for a house like this, where you have bricks and wood, you should keep the truth to materials.

      HU-984220420 thanked Бисера Којевска
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      This is from further away if that helps


    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      Leave well alone. It is lovely as it is!

      HU-984220420 thanked keiblem
    • E D
      3 years ago

      Ah now we’re talking! I knew you were hiding something from us. 😊

      What a great house. 👌

      HU-984220420 thanked E D
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      We prefer the dark grey or oak look to the mahogany browns on the wood ... looking at window painting, open porch design with existing porch roof , garage door, front door and electric gate update ... any pics for inspiration anyone?

    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Is there an easy app where you can change dark brown parts on house to dark grey to see?

    • lspendl 828
      3 years ago

      To change windows and door colour, the Eurocell app is pretty good for a guide. 😀

    • Lena
      3 years ago

      It’s a nice looking house. Congrats!

      The only point I have any experience to comment on is the painting a UPVC door. I did it about a year ago with a special Rowlings paint, probably starting with a special primer.

      Although it’s not perfect (I think a small scratch appeared after a year of use), it was definitely a solution which let us to postpone the need to change the entrance door for a good few years.

      HU-984220420 thanked Lena
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Thanks so much for the cream window mock up - that’s really great thank you, very helpful. how did you do it? I could try do it with grey windows too.



    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago



      very rough on my phone but sort of get an idea ...

    • E D
      3 years ago

      I prefer the creme. Looks/feels more homely.

      But I guess a lighter grey may work well too.

      Reminds me a little of the Dutch architecture by Berlage.




    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      Although I am inclined to freshen up with existing finish if you do fancy a change then perhaps the historic white which would pick up the colour of the stone wall which right now doesn’t seem to have any connection with the house. I cannot see the garden gates but if they are swirly then perhaps something more geometric.

    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Wondering about a mix of the two ...

      the gate is broken so we are replacing the gate too.


    • HU-290967725
      3 years ago

      I've mocked up a few more options. I feel that the anthracite and light grey just isnt in keeping with the surroundings. I personally would pick out and compliment your lovely entrance and wall with a cream, or french grey. I also love the oak porch too... feel it just ties it all in together. Really beautiful house though. Cant wait to see what you decide to do

      HU-984220420 thanked HU-290967725
    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      I am afraid I think the oak porch, lovely as it is, is better suited to a country cottage and not a contemporary house with such good proportions such as this.

    • E D
      3 years ago

      I’m getting confused with all the nameless HUs. 😊

      Some of us also use more than one account it seems.

      Did the oak porch mock-up come from OP?

    • HU-290967725
      3 years ago

      Sorry. I'm a HU but i dont know how to change it. No it wasnt the opening post that did the oak porch... it was me. ;-)

    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      I have been puzzling over why it is there seems to be so many with HU followed by very long numbers. I imagine you can change it under profile or go to the help page or contact Houzz.

    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Hi no idea why Im an HU number but I'm new to this site. thanks for all the ideas and great mock ups though - loads of things to consider. lovely to hear all the different points of view.

    • carocat24
      3 years ago

      I think the house looks great as it is, but if I were being picky I would say the window over the porch is undersized, needs to be wider to be balanced with the lovely main grid of windows, and the window on the ground floor also should match the width of the windows above. The garage is a bit of a monstrosity close up but from the street not too noticeable at all. The paving needs a good blast to clean it up & please introduce some plants, if only in pots.

    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Very rough mock up but considering grey windows/ door/ garage, chunky oak porch and render one side/ extend bottom window to match top one.

      Any thoughts???

    • HU-290967725
      3 years ago

      I personally dont like the render on one side. What about rendering the middle front door section and the top half to the right but leaving the bottom half brick.

      HU-984220420 thanked HU-290967725
    • HU-290967725
      3 years ago

      like this maybe...not sure if that looks better or worse tbh!

    • keiblem
      3 years ago

      Worse, much worse! Why render such good brick walls? I personally would reserve render for a house that is beyond help.

      HU-984220420 thanked keiblem
    • Juliet Docherty
      3 years ago

      Bet you wish you hadn't asked for help now! So many different opinions and probably all valid. For what it's worth, I wouldn't do cream windows, it could look sickly and a bit fuddy duddy. I also wouldn't do anthracite because I don't see that relating to the stonework at the front.

      HU-984220420 thanked Juliet Docherty
    • E D
      3 years ago
      last modified: 3 years ago

      Maybe it’s an idea to approach a well established architect/design firm.

      Your house has quite a unique character that needs to be embraced and worked with, rather than against.

      For example I feel a traditional looking oak porch is not the way to go.

      HU-984220420 thanked E D
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      thanks all. Appreciating all comments - so tricky! might go back to the idea of cladding not render ... I do like the idea of a lovely open front porch with a more modern twist though


    • Jen
      3 years ago

      Fabulous house! I do like the look of the wider window on the ground floor to match the width of that imposing first floor window. And agree that a slightly larger window would look appropriate above the doorway. But beyond that I’d leave the house exactly as it is. No rendering (the existing brickwork suits the house perfectly) no cream windows (I once inherited cream window frames and they always looked cheap and grubby), and I fear an oak porch would be a clash of styles!

      HU-984220420 thanked Jen
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Thanks.

      The issue is the current cladding under and over the large window and yes as you say we are considering enlarging the bottom window to match the above large window although that does mean a new window where there’s a perfectly good wooden window presently 😬.

      ... therefore we are considering grey composite cladding, oak cladding or render.

      ... any better material ideas than oak for a pillar open type porch if you think it clashes?

    • HU-290967725
      3 years ago

      Yes agree. Looks loads better with just the cladding.

      HU-984220420 thanked HU-290967725
    • Juliet Docherty
      3 years ago
      last modified: 3 years ago

      It's looking better already. I think if you can replace the windows on the right with almost full length ones it would look a lot better. Could you possibly mirror that on the front so it looks similar? Do you need a porch? Just attaching these because I like the brick with the black. Black acts like a full stop, because it doesn't have a 'tinge' of anything (as in anthracite contains blue) it doesn't clash. It also balances the boldness of red brick.





      HU-984220420 thanked Juliet Docherty
    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago
      last modified: 3 years ago

      Hi thanks so much.

      We are looking in to replacing the 2 large windows with a thinner longer frame design. (Currently we have the bottom pane on the large window as a privacy glass as it’s a child’s bedroom So that may be an issue). And also mirroring the longer design in the small window above the porch roof. No idea whether aluminium or plastic is better for this.

      I do like the black just concerned it darkens it all if we do black composite cladding / black door & black garage ...

    • HU-984220420
      Original Author
      3 years ago


      Hi - not sure if we can mix black and dark grey successfully (?) but ... black painted windows, one small modified extra windows below, modified window above porch, black aluminium front door, black sectional garage door. Dark grey composite (?) cladding. Dark grey or black porch pillars/ roof.

      Any thoughts welcomed ...


    • Jen
      3 years ago

      Looks great to me! I’m really liking what you’ve done to add in an extra window on the ground floor RHS - it seems to tie in nicely with the tall window to the left of your doorway.
      As to mixing black and grey, i think it would work as long as the grey is not too dark, so there’s a clear distinction. Maybe just the cladding in grey, and the porch framework black to match your door and windows?

      HU-984220420 thanked Jen
    • Juliet Docherty
      3 years ago

      Black and timber cladding perhaps?

      HU-984220420 thanked Juliet Docherty
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