Your Design Questions Answered

Question

I have purchased a home built in 1934, typically called American Square. We would like to transform the exterior to reflect a Tudor style in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood. We are doing a complete renovation and all of the windows and doors (interior and exterior) will be replaced. The front porch will also be reduced in size and the front facade changed. Attached are pictures of the existing home, and I have the plans for the interior/exterior renovation in a PDF file which I can also provide. We would like the front exterior to Tudor style The back exterior and inside will be modern/contemporary. What do you suggest for window and door styles and colors?

Answer

If you wanted to create the look of tudor style home, I suggest that you go with dark brown windows and a dark brown door to help create the contrast look that you see on a tudor home.   I would go with a simple style door, without decorative glass.  For the windows, I would not include any grids or you will change the look of the home.

Question

Claudine asks:
We will be replacing the eavestrough in the Spring and would like to go with a windswept smoke as the color or stay in the grey tones – sick of the taupe, brown colors – will also be replacing our front door and garage door to match.  (Sorry only picture is of the back of the house).  What color would you suggest?

Answer

I like Windswept Smoke with your brick color you could also try Gentek’s Sable color as an option for your soffit, fascia and eaves. It is a grey color that has some brown undertones that would blend well with the brick.

Question

Kelly asks:
Hi,  I would like to update the cedar siding of our house. I was thinking of staining it dark brown and then add stone on the lower half.  The windows are white. Maybe cap the trim?

Any other suggestions for updating the exterior?

Answer

Some nice ideas to update your home. If you wanted to go further, I would suggest you cap/trim the windows in a darker brown and then change the door up to a different color completely to make it a focal point.  Maybe black or go lighter like Gentek’s Pebble color to lighten the look.

Question

We will be installing new windows and doors (including garage door). I’m at a loss for picking a color for the doors – including garage door. The vinyl siding is, I believe, Gentek Maize. The roof is green. The brick is “red”. Soffits are white as are the gutters and downspouts. Can you help?

Answer

If you wanted to go with a color for your windows, I would suggest you go with a neutral tone like Gentek’s Almond or Wicker.  Either of these colors will look good with the Maize siding as well as the red brick. I would also suggest that you change the shutters to match the window color. As for the front door, I would suggest something darker like Gentek’s Pebble or Dark Drift to make it a focal point. For the garage door, I would stick with a dark color like you have now, so it does not stand out.

Question

Michael asks:

Using a horizontal vinyl siding. looking for color choices for vinyl and alum soffits. was thinking to be in the grey’s but any suggestions are cool Thanks

Answer

If you are looking for grey tones, Gentek has a couple of nice ones.  Windswept Smoke and Iron Ore are two of our most popular colors.  You could combine either of these colors with a more neutral tone to give a modern look.  Something like Pebble or Dark Drift would look great with either of these grey tones.

Question

Sarah asks:

We’ve selected Iron Ore for the main color of our siding with the accents, soffit, fascia and eaves done in Windswept Smoke. I’ve looked at physical samples and like the colors against our brick. I’m trying to select a color of vinyl shake style to go into the triangle above the garage to give it more interest. I tried to use my design home studio to run through option but this just scared me as the Iron Ore in that program looks hunter green – – is Iron Ore intended to have green undertones…..I thought it was supposed to be a very dark grey?? I’d like to confirm that before I make my final decision. I do not want anything green or green like at all! Thank you!

Answer

Iron Ore is definitely a dark grey.  We always advise that you do not make final decisions based on online color swatches. Screen resolutions vary by machine and are not exact matches.

Question

Robert asks:
We have old 8″ white aluminum siding and want to replace. Considering siding that is wide as possible to minimize number of lines. What would you recommend. Also, may consider scallop at peaks at front of house and then traditional siding below. Looking for a soft color that would compliment brick, and have trim in white. Also, at the rear I have 4 windows that protrude with capping, and want to add insulation there anyway; could that bring the siding out enough so windows are more flush with siding?

Answer

In your case, I would suggest you go with a color like Pebble to compliment the brick and give you a more modern look.  A vertical board and batten profile would minimize the lines and give you an entirely different look.  As for the windows in the back, it would really depend on the amount that the siding would have to come out and the thickness of the insulation board that you chose.  You would need to talk to your installer about that and have him measure the area to be sure.

Question

Sylvia asks
Hello, I have a home which is exposed to a lot of sunlight all afternoon long. I recently got a new Garaga garage and Novatech main door but feel I made a huge mistake in my color selection (Gentek Amber and Almond trims). My original intention was to leave the rest of the Sikkens Cetol 1 and 23 finished wood windows, trims and porch intact. I am open to all suggestions. The roof will retain forest green as it is still in good condition. Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer

If you are looking for a different color for your door, why not go with green tone to tie in the roof.  I might suggest Gentek’s Moonlit Moss or Juniper Grove and leave the Almond as the trim.  I think this would bring everything together for the home.