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Architecture/siding help needed

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Expert: - 4/28/2009


Question

2008-11-01 collage
Hi Nazim
I am hoping that you can help us with some ideas for our siding dilemna's We have an older mobile which we have added a 625 sq ft addition and have replaced the roof with new trusses and metal roofing .We still alot of interior work to do and will be replacing some more windows in the front but have to get some sort of siding up in the meantime
We are trying to make it look like a house and are thinking of going with vinyl siding but dont like the look of just straight vinyl maybe some shakes added ect maybe even ahrdi board if money permits ,trouble is I am lost when it comes to a type of design as we would like to break it up and make look like the newer style of housing
We have thought of wood around the windows that match the post done in sikkens we really like the timber frame look
We dont care to do it in white or yellows light peach  or light green more natural looking colors is our choice
Our roof is Melchers Green metal If you could give us some nice design s and color choices for soffits fascia and windows to break up the whole thing I would be extremely appreciative as I am tired of choices by now haha
We just cant seem to find anyone who can give us some ideas Does everyone just come by these things naturally because I'm feeling really stupid at this point if thats the case
Thank you and I will send some pics if need better ones I will gladly send some  We just want it to come together nicely thank you Wendy


Answer
Hi Wendy,

I'm not a huge fan of vinyl siding since it locks you into a color and up close, it never looks good where it terminates at trim, corners, etc.  Have you look at Hardiboard siding (cement board)?  It won't rot and you can paint it any color you want (which, if you decide you didn't quite get the color right, you can start over).  It holds paint very well (better than wood), so you can get many years from a good paint job.  

Your house has a nice rural feel to it which I think would look good with mixing some board and batten siding with something else like regular horizontal clapboard siding. With Hardi products, you would  use their hardipanel siding with 1x2 battens (wood or other material - pvc can work if you don't want to use wood).  

This house on our website has a photo of the 2 types of siding:
http://www.motion-space.com/ourwork/ourwork_apexhouse3.htm

It does look like you can get a similar look in Vinyl.  Here is a link to a major manufacturer of vinyl siding that has a board and batten look:
http://www.certainteed.com/products/vinyl-siding/311482

Again, I doubt up close it looks that good, but if you need vinyl for a no-maintenance choice, then I'd look at this.  

You might try breaking up the house by doing the main part of the house in one siding, like horizontal clapboards, then doing the back porch and the other area that is under the lower roof in the board and batten siding.  If you do this, change the sidings in the inside corner, not an outside corner.  

The one other thing I am noticing is that the 'main' part of the house seems quite tall.  You might consider either switching the siding above a certain point (but I wouldn't do more than 2 types of siding), or adding a gable end vent (decorative, if it doesn't need to be functional) at the top of the gable just to give some interest.  

I think for colors that are going to work, since you have a lot of color on the green roof, it will look odd to have a different bold color on the house.  Traditionally the green metal roofs are used on structures that have wood stained siding or log siding.  So you could choose colors that would be similar to wood stained siding (browns), but because you have white windows, I'd probably look at something different. The issue with white windows is that unless you paint the trim around the windows a similar white color, the windows really stand out like sore thumb.  So I would look at siding colors that are grey (maybe with a tint of green), sage greens, or warmer grey/brown colors . . . but not too light.  This page has a few examples.

http://www.copproofing.com/samples/type07.asp

In the top image, the green roof is coordinated with a green color house color with lighter windows and trim.  That's the basic idea, but your green roof may not be so sagey in color.  If it's not, then look for a more neutral color that works with the roof.  I think that will let the wood stand out too as a special element.  Letting the wood stand out will be a good thing, so don't pick a color too close to the wood.  And don't go too light (this is a common mistake).

Regarding soffits: are they wood?  If they are I think if you can use the Sikkens on that, it would look great.  Keep the fascia's and soffits natural to tie into the wood posts.    

Hope this helps to get you going in the right direction!  Good luck.

-Nazim

Nazim Nice

Expertise

I am a Seattle Architect and can answer architecture and design related questions. Ask me about material suggestions or usage. Ask me about design options - what is good design and what is bad. Ask me about choosing exterior house colors and furniture layout options. Ask me about detailing and assembling houses or components in the home. Ask me about green design or materials. Ask me about choosing an architect, the architectural services, basement remodels, second story additions, and whole house remodels. Ask me about garage design, bathroom remodels, laundry and mudroom design, family room additions, and roof deck additions.

Experience

Over 12 years of practice in the Architectural field including three years of internship plus 5 years of school. I have taught at the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University and lectured at Carnegie Mellon University. I currently own and run the Seattle Architecture Firm, Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC.

Organizations
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB, Seattle Architects | Motionspace Architecture + Design. More information at our blog the (un)common house. Lumen ID Custom Engraved Switch Plates with Labels.

Education/Credentials
BArch from Carnegie Mellon University & Andrew Carnegie Scholar

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