Siding
Changing the siding on your house can do wonders for its look.
Cement siding installation
Vinyl, cedar and cement board
Vinyl siding is the least expensive, but it is less attractive than other options. Cedar siding is quite nice, but requires frequent painting. It is also fairly costly. Cement board siding gives you the upgraded look of cedar with much less associated maintenance.
We decided to go with Hardieplank® fiber cement siding. We selected a smooth rather than wood grain finish for a more modern look.
Factory painted siding is an option, though color choices are relatively limited. Based on our experience, a site finished product is better because installation related dings and scratches are painted over.
Brick painting in progress
Brick
A quick way to achieve a more modern look if you live in a brick house is to paint the brick. Spraying is the best way to go, particularly if your bricks are set deeply in the mortar.
About those shutters
The majority of American homes have shutters. They are typically ornamental and detract from a clean modern look. You may want to remove them if it’s feasible to do so.
Inasmuch as decorative shutters are screwed into your brick or siding, taking them off is easy, but dealing with the resulting screw holes can be a bit involved. In the case of vinyl siding, you’ll have to remove and replace the affected siding. This procedure, of course, assumes that the siding is still available. Note that while the replacement siding will at first look different color-wise, it should blend in over time.
If you have cedar or painted fiber cement board (e.g., Hardie) siding, things are simpler. Patch the holes then paint the effected siding. Again, any paint color differential should fade over time. Dealing with brick is the trickiest, at least to the extent the screws went into the brick itself rather than adjoining mortar. You will want to consult with a brick mason about your options.
