What do you see this house looking like?

[VALENT]

Just for kicks, look at the front of my house to be and give me your ideas of the finish(color, shutters, porches, coverings,etc). Who knows? Maybe you will change my mind. I definitely plan on using hardi-plank but am interested in other's opinions.

[Cole]

Valent, when you get some ideas. Pm me them and I will work on a rendering for you, (if i am not busy) which looks like I wont be because it is going to rain for the next week.

[grumpydasmurf]

That house looks like it lacks character.

With out a doubt you need a bay on that first floor window.

[Tom R]

Well, now that the Grumpster has opened up the flood gates, - - I agree, - - in these early stages I would try to work out a better 'balance' to the 'windows' scheme. It seems to be lacking both balance and dimension. For the size of it, it's an overwhelmingly flat facade. Probably Cole or Mj's department.

[doyle]

Hopefully there will be a nice, big covered front porch all the way across the front. A shed roof would suffice, but to have a gabled section to the shed roof, centered over the front door would be perfect. I guess the tiny square window will be for light to the stairs...how about a really nice stained glass piece?

As for the paint scheme....Lots of white railings and posts, as well as house trim. A soft tan color siding, black shutters, burgundy (or red) door, and maybe staining the porch floor a pale blue.

Oh, and if at all possible, add a 4th window to the upstairs wall, it looks off-centered without it. I also agree on the bay window for the large opening downstairs.

How'd I do? :)

[Tom R]

Good, Doyle, - - that's exactly what 'I' meant to say, - - I think. Anyway, sounds like a plan!

[grumpydasmurf]

Is that the front? I assumed it was the rear.

[bkrahmer]

So, it looks like you have (part of) your metal roof on already. I'm curious as why it doesn't extend all the way to the ends. Also, how are you planning on finishing the front overhangs? I ask because I'm installing my metal roof this weekend. Before I install the metal sheets, I have to install fascia boards, then eave trim metal. The metal sheets then overlap the eave trim metal.

[Dragon]

Yep, it looks to me like someone is going to be cussing while trying to install the fascia.

[VALENT]

First of all , thanks for all the replies... I didn't want to add much in my post because I was hoping to get lots of ideas (which maybe I would like and my wife would love) There is another upstairs window in the likely spot but it is for a master bath and we dont have the dimensions decided. The small window is for a downstairs half-bath. Dont want anybody seeing in!!

bkrahmer: I am on borrowed time as to when I can work on the house. So when I have help, I try to get the brunt of the big work done. The majority of the roof metal was done when I had two helpers on Monday afternoon. We actually finished the rest this morning. I will not be using the eave trim metal and the fascia will fit right onto the rafter ends. The metal sheets will then overlap the fascia by about one inch which should control almost all drip problems.

Keep the suggestions coming because I am looking to liven this house up.

[plunkinberry]

Honestly, first thing I thought of was big porch too. Without a porch, its gonna be plain, as mentioned. What type of siding are you thinking of? I'd go with an old farm house look which again, would play well with the big parch.

I'd keep the big windows in the bathrooms and go with frosted or opaque glass. But, I like the idea of stained glass too...

[mjpliv]

I would add a gable roofed porch encompassing the door and small window to the left with enough pitch to help fill in the empty area above these two openings. It will help to visually shorten the house length wize and add a focal point to the front facade. It would probably work out to being about 12' wide (starting midpoint between the door and the large window on the right) judging from the picture. With a 12/12 pitch the ridge would be within a couple of feet or so of the soffit.

[mjpliv]

If you are using the Hardi-plank, consider the scalloped panels for the gable of the porch roof I mentioned in my last post.

[VALENT]

mjpliv I like that idea and will tell my wife.
plunkinberry, we actually were going for "old farmhouse". I wanted to restore or at least revitalize an older house and my wife wanted a new house. So, we decided on anew house that "looks" old. Unfortunately, that is difficult.

[Richard A Hetzel]

Too late now, but the roof slope is much too flat, and the house seems uncharacteristically tall...the proportions just are not right, and I don't know what can be done to hide that, since it can't be changed.

[VALENT]

This is how it pretty much ended up. It has changed a bit here and there.

[Richard A Hetzel]

Well, the porch roof helps a LOT! It turned out pretty well with that added.

[VALENT]

Thanks, Richard. I have to find the picture with the railing. It makes a nice difference, too. I built the house (with my brother) back in 2004-2005 and got lots of help and encouragement from this very forum.