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Renovating Design Dilemma Exteriors

Exterior help required

2 years ago

After some help please. I know it can be personal preference but still looking for some ideas. We are building a single storey extension with double storey to one side. I have attached some external pictures to give you an idea of it. We originally wanted to go down the Zinc cladding route with batten cladding to the top but due to cost don't think this is possible. We are now considering composite cladding / brick or render on the bottom floor with the batten cladding remaining on the 2nd floor.

What are your thoughts please? Can anyone share any photos? Struggling to picture it and how to finish of the flat roof so it's not an eye sore

Thank you in advance

Featured Answer

Tim Baker

2 years ago

I could be honest and say that I think that the renderings just look hideous but I think you have that suspicion or you wouldn't be here asking questions. We are all victims of fashion and adding ultra modern extensions to traditional buildings is very much flavour of the month. This can look dramatic but most successful examples I have seen incorporate a break between the new and the old. To my eyes the problem you have is the top box simply crashes into the existing roofline. Mirroring the existing roof design and tiles might help or if you are intent on the contemporary how about separating the new room from the existing first floor with its own access from the new extension.

Comments (11)

rinked
2 years ago
I'd suggest choosing one type of siding. The image now looks like a house with a box on a box.

If you like the box on top, the ground floor in brick would look best, in my opinion.
jessa61
2 years ago
Can you not continue the roof line on the top box to aid continuity and make it seem less like an addition?
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rinked
2 years ago
Tim's advice is good, a cross hip/gable would suit the house better and would age gracefully.
Christine Kisby
2 years ago
Don’t you need planning permission to change the outside so much? I am sorry to be negative, but it looks a real eyesore to me!
User
2 years ago
I hate to be critical but that design just doesn't look right. The wood will look awful in a few years time too...
I'm not usually one for modern houses at all, but I saw this for sale in Chichester and really liked it!
I realise it's not exactly like yours, but you could do your ground floor extension in red brick to match the existing house, then do the new first floor in white render?
Maz Macapaca
2 years ago
Why not just buy a bigger house and move. You may live to regret adding such a monstrosity to your current house as it may actually devalue it.
PRO
Aitch Interiors Ltd
2 years ago
Hi Joanna,

At what stage of this are you? Sometimes when choosing finishes we think we need to add loads of detail and the end result can just feel a little disjointed. I think the colour of the brick render you choose here will be super important. If possible I would steer clear of any colours that head into primary territory, so bricks that are very red. A softer colour on the bricks will make tying it in to other materials easier and less jarring to the eye. It also will help the property settle in and not feel so boxy.

I would also think about reducing it down to two material rather than one. Ordering a larger quantity of one usually works out cheaper than using two or three different finishes.

Personally, I would look at extending the roof line over the box, and finishing the box in the same brick render you are using to the rest of the house. This then leaves the bottom extension feeling grounded. Black could work, but you need the relationship of the brick colour and black to work together.

We always recommend putting the dark colour on the bottom for balance. If you need some inspiration Pinterest can also be a good resource as well at the photos on Houzz. I would search from two tone house exteriors, or two finish house exterior.

Hope this helps :)
arc3d
2 years ago
Hi Joanna,

Not sure what all the fuss is about. As you said it's about personal preference. The renderings won't do the finished product justice.

This is a rear extension. It's supposed to dominate the the original house. It's not designed to be subservient like a side extension would be.

I think it'll look great just like these examples...
PRO
Villa.ltd
2 years ago
Hi Joanna
If you are based in London and still looking for someone advice for the flat roof, I can help you.
PRO
Earl & Calam Design and Build Ltd
2 years ago
I like the photos arc3d posted. We find getting the design to fit the budget is always the best place to start. I would do a self coloured render at the bottom. All the best with your project.

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