ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There may be items on your house design that are not specifically linked to company websites such as gable accents, porticos, columns, and wood headers. These items are best for you to source locally and/or ask your contractor for local recommendations. We only link design elements to companies that we know and trust do quality work. Below is additional information about many of the elements you will find in your designs:
Columns
Many columns are strictly placed on your design for aesthetic purposes but others are weight bearing. It’s very important to discuss the best material for your needs and environment with your contractor. In some cases, your current columns may be wrapped to cut costs. If not, many times cedar or IPE wood is recommended for building columns on site. Woodtone also has beautiful columns in smooth and resawn cedar. They sell through distribution, which helps them to provide service throughout North America. Your contractor will be able to advise on the best material and stain for your project. Please refer to the stain notes below if you’re using a stain and the paint chip on your deliverable if you are painting your columns. Pre-finished columns wraps are also available from vendors such as Barrons Design.
Concrete Columns
Concrete columns can be built by a local concrete company or a contractor can build with iron and concrete. Be sure to specify “architectural finish” (smooth concrete) and allow the engineer to specify the footing and beam. You can also contact OriganiCrete Hung Panels and they can build and ship custom columns to you.
Concrete Panels
Concrete panels are becoming more and more popular in contemporary and modern architecture. We recommend OrganiCrete because of their high quality, knowledge of what works and what doesn’t, as well as their ability to customize sizing for any project. Please reach out to Tyler at Hung Panels to learn more about the OrganiCrete panels used in your design. By looking at your brick&batten design, Tyler can recommend sizes and colors that work for your needs.
Doors
Your front door is the focal point of your home’s exterior. We have partnered with different vendors across the country from Montgomery, Dallas, Austin, Atlanta, etc. — including Marvin Windows and Doors, Swing Door Company, Exclusive Iron Doors, Doors4 Home, Pivot Door Company, Masterpiece Doors, Doors by Decora, ETO Doors, etc. We love all of their work, which is why we have chosen to partner with them. Our experts guarantee the highest quality and craftsmanship available. Often they are less expensive, even with shipping! They are happy to give you a free quote. All you need to show them is your brick&batten design. That said, we realize you may want to work with someone locally. Most doors can be copied or custom made by someone in your area. Be sure you consult an expert when obtaining measurements to ensure proper door fitting.
Garage Doors
brick&batten is happy to help you with the selection of your new garage door; however, to keep your costs low, we recommend purchasing your door from a local garage door company directly.
Gates / Fences
We use Garden Passages AND Pacific Gate Works for our gate designs. They have different styles for different types of architecture. That said, your local contractors can often create similar gates and fences on site for less.
Gutters
In many cases, your current gutters may be painted to create the look of the design in your deliverable. For faux copper gutters, we recommend Copper Penny Aluminum or Dark Bronze from the Gutter Supply. You may also purchase the decorative leader heads, downspouts, medallions, and brackets from most local hardware stores. Your local gutter supply store will be able to help ensure proper measurement and installation.
House Numbers
Modern House Numbers has a variety of different font styles to choose from. We don’t take measurements; therefore, we recommend you refer to MHN Sizing and Visibility Guidelines for further details.
Hardscape
In most cases, walkway stone may be purchased at a rock yard or hardware store. Using a local rock yard allows you the opportunity to pick each stone individually. Faux stone may be purchased at your local hardware store. Driveway changes such as stamped concrete, pavers, etc. should also be sourced locally. We recommend finding a local vendor and asking them to match our look with their local selection.
James Hardie Panels
James Hardie recently released their new Hardie® Textured Panels product. Without dimensions, we cannot ensure that the seams will line up exactly as shown, however, we do our best to estimate. Your James Hardie specialist will recommend what works best for your home. The Hardie® Smooth Sand Panel comes in 4’x12’, 4’x10’, and 4’x8’. The Hardie® Multi-Groove Panel comes in 16″ wide panels. Please note that we provide the visualization to the best of our ability but your James Hardie representative will know the measurements and can ensure that the panel placement best suits your home’s requirements.
James Hardie Siding
Siding can be sourced locally or through James Hardie and painted the recommended colors. If sourcing through James Hardie, keep in mind that colors shown may vary due to screen resolution. Please see the actual product sample for true color.
Landscape
We place generic landscapes in your design for height, color and softness. We do not specialize in landscape. Please consult a professional to best guide you in this process. Often a local nursery will come to your house and make a plan knowing your climate and soil type. If you’re just looking for inspiration, check out these landscape beauties for curb appeal.
Lighting
Size: Determined by space; however, we recommend 1/3 to 1/4 the size of your door. We use aspectLED Ultra Thin for our recessed lighting. With options for light color and trim color, you can find the best option to meet your needs. You can find additional lighting tips here.
Metal Awnings
Metal awnings may be ordered but are best sourced locally and installed by your contractor to ensure proper drainage and stability. The color of a metal awning will vary based on your environment and manufacturer of the product your contractor recommends. In direct sunlight a bronze metal may look brown with a hint of charcoal, whereas later in the day or a shaded area, the metal may look almost black. To achieve the look in your design, ask your contractor for samples of similar colors. Observe at different times of the day and in different areas before making your selection.
Metal Roofs
We LOVE our partner at Metal Roof Network. Chris Testa is very knowledgeable and will guide you in what type of roof works best for your environment, as well as offer a quote for the materials needed. Metal Roof Network is an amazing resource and can accommodate many different budgets based on material. Please reach out to Chris Testa at chris@metalroofnet.com with your brick&batten before and after design and he will offer you more information. We also recommend Interlock Roof Company.
Paint Colors / Samples
We ALWAYS RECOMMEND TESTING colors and GETTING SAMPLES of stone, siding, brick, etc. because every eye and computer screen shows color differently. Before purchasing siding, brick, stone, etc. ask the manufacturer to send you samples! Before painting your home, test the colors on the surface being painted and observe at different times of day. Your design may not reflect the color or sample in your environment. Testing and getting samples is always expected. For additional testing tips, click here.
Brick Treatment Options
For limewash and mortar wash we recommend using Romabio products. A lighter application of slurry product will provide a German Smear look with exposure of some brick color and texture, while full coverage of the slurry will create a stucco-like look with brick texture but no brick color. Romabio limewash is available in several different colors. Your painter will be able to best advise on how to achieve the look of your rendering. For more information regarding limewash technique, please refer to our blog post here.
Pergolas
Pergolas can be made custom by your contractor or ordered from a kit such as The Visor Pergola Kit | Shop Sliding Door & Garage Pergola Kits Online at Pergola Depot.
Railings / Privacy Screens
Cable railings can be purchased locally from a hardware store; however, we often recommend Keuka Cable for a more custom look. They carry black fittings and cables, as well as different types of railings and top rails. Top rails and railings include metal in different colors and wood in types best for your environment. The Keuka specialist will share available options and help you determine what best will fit your needs. We also recommend Crystalite which provides partially custom cable railing systems. With 6 colors and 5 wood finishes for railings and top rails to choose from Crystalite offers many options.
Wood railings can be easily made and installed by a skilled handyman. For iron railings and privacy screens, contact a local professional.
Roofs
We recommend colors and products for ideation, however, please be sure to ask your roofer what type of roof is best for your environment.
Shutters
Shutters can make or break your home’s exterior look. We LOVE our partner at Sunbelt. Sunbelt is an amazing resource and can accommodate many different budgets based on material. Please reach out to Michelle Shell at michelle@sunbeltshutters.com and email her your brick&batten before and after design. Michelle will help you with style, measuring, ordering, and installation.
Stains
Stain color for headers, columns, fencing, doors, and decks, etc. varies due to many factors: type of wood being stained, how the wood is prepped, who is doing the staining, the brand of stain chosen, etc. As with paint colors, it is important to test the stain color in your environment. Generally, we like Walnut, Dark or Black Walnut, Rustic Brown, and Natural in semi-transparent. As you can see in the below photo, the same color stain is used across each board, however, looks differently based on the type of wood.
Stucco
Before you do any work yourself, reach out to a painter that specializes in stucco. They will guide you in the right direction. Often stucco needs to be repaired or prepped before any painting can begin. Due to the texture, paint colors on stucco may vary. Always test before applying. Always refer to an expert for best results.
Woodtone Siding
Visit the Woodtone website and request samples of Summer Wheat, Aspen Ridge, Winchester Brown, and Sand Castle, which are all great colors. We don’t take measurements so clients will need to work with their contractors using our renderings to determine size and selection. We generally prefer James Hardie with a 4-5” exposure; however, it’s really a personal preference based on project budget.
Wood Porch Ceilings / Soffits
There are many different ways to achieve the wood panel look on soffits and porch roofs. Please refer to your contractor for what’s best in your environment. If you prefer, we suggest Woodtone Fineline Paneling. Please get samples of colors: Texas Honey Brown, English Porter, American Nut Brown, and West Coast IPA. For recessed ceiling lighting, we recommend aspectLED Ultra Thin.
Windows
We prefer to use Marvin Windows in our designs due to their craftsmanship and ability to customize for different sizes and looks. We recommend window color and style; however, your Marvin dealer will recommend what size and type of window will work best for your environment and budget. With various size options, the Modern Casement can be used on its own or as a complement to awning windows above or below for design versatility.
Window Headers
Custom wood trim pieces can be added to porches, doors, windows, etc. Your contractor will need to measure and choose wood or a composite material that is best for your environment.