Red Brick House Exterior Update Reveal
By: Sarah
We’ve written before about how red brick is one of the more difficult building materials to work with when planning an exterior design. Many owners want to paint their red brick, and we’re all for that decision. But we also understand those who want to (or are required to!) leave red brick naked.
Roula H. in Virginia fell into the latter camp. She got her brick&batten design in late 2021 and reached back out to us this spring after completing her exterior renovation. Read on for her story.
Brick&batten is the leader in helping clients reimagine their exterior design. We’ve partnered with thousands and thousands of property owners looking to improve their curb appeal. Worked with us in the past and have a great ‘actual after’ photo to share? Send your photos and tell us your story here. Wondering what virtual exterior design is all about? Learn how our service works.
The Before
Roula initially came across brick&batten on Instagram. She started following us and was impressed with the creativity of our work. “I was pretty surprised to see how some small changes can make a big difference,” she said.
So why did Roula decide to partner with us?
I never loved the exterior of my home but wasn’t sure what to do. I wanted my home to feel inviting and cozy and less ‘basic.’ My HOA does not allow you to paint the brick. After following you all on Instagram and checking out the website I decided to take the plunge and go for it!
The Design
One of the biggest decisions our exterior designers made in updating Roula’s home was to select a paint color for accents that would work with the red brick. The team landed on Dragon’s Breath by Benjamin Moore for the trim and eaves. This deep, rich brown brought some elegance to Roula’s home’s curb appeal but felt welcoming rather than stuffy.
Finishing touches are often what makes a home come together. We suggested more modern lighting, a dark front door, and darker gutters to coordinate with the painted accents.
Roula explained how the design experience was on her end:
The process was very smooth and easy. After submitting my photos, I had one revision with the rendering. I did have several follow up questions and always received a prompt reply.
The Process
Roula had some smart tips for her renovation that are worth sharing with our readers.
My brother actually owns a window/door/siding and roofing company called Liberty Home Remodeling in Chantilly, VA. I took the color Dragon’s Breath that was used in my rendering and matched it to a metal color called Mastic dark bronze. It was almost an exact match. I used that metal to wrap all my white trim in that color rather than painting, for less maintenance (wrapped all the fascia, windows, doors, rakes, and garage). And used a very similar color when I replaced my soffits, as suggested. That was all done by their siding crew. I went with your company’s suggestion of dark bronze gutters (done by their gutter crew) and black front door.
Roula even shared her timeline for working with separate exterior contractors, which could be useful for any of you looking to plan a similar project:
The door took about 3 months to come in. The trim coil took about 2 months to come in, and the install took 2 days. The garage door took 1 month, and the gutters and downspouts took 2 weeks to come in and installed in 1 day. All went well. The door took the longest to come in. I had to wait for that before I started any of the capping. But after that, everything went smoothly.
The Actual After
We love that Roula started following us on Instagram because she saw what a massive impact smaller updates can have on curb appeal. Her home is the perfect example. She worked within her HOA constraints and still has a dramatic before and after to be proud of.
I can’t tell you how many people have stopped us when they see us out front. Whether they are walking by or even driving by. They stop to tell us that our house is their favorite in the neighborhood, how cool it is, how stunning. Visitors tell us that they love our house, that it looks like [it’s] out of a magazine.
A red brick house update that worked
Just because you aren’t in love with your exterior now doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. Our designers are experts at helping you work with the exterior you have today to see the potential of what it could be tomorrow.
Roula couldn’t paint her brick and ended up being unable to add the awning we recommended due to HOA restrictions. But she captured the aesthetic she was going for anyway.
We are really the envy of the neighborhood. I got the look I wanted from an exterior I never liked. Now my house feels warm and inviting. I never would have guessed these changes would make me love my house!
Whether you have a red brick home you want to fix up or you’re trying to select paint colors for your stucco house, brick&batten will give you the visual confidence to make the leap. Get started today.
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