Expert: Nazim Nice - 4/6/2010

Question
Hi Nazim!

Thanks so much for taking my question(s).  We are in the process of building and just ordered our brick.  We chose a plan with a european feel, and the original plan included all stone exterior with stucco entry and stucco gables/dormer.  We never intended to go with stone because an all stone house is very out-of-place around our area, so we are going with brick.  My first question is, is it okay to go with brick and stucco?

I've never seen too many houses with a brick and stucco combination.  It is either stone/stucco or brick/siding.

If stucco is acceptable, my next question is...what could we do with that blank space above the entry in the stucco.  The original front elevation had a star design in the stucco, but we don't want to do that.  Would a fake vent look out of place there, or do you have any other suggestions?

Original house design:  http://i773.photobucket.com/albums/yy18/JeffGoodman/Hajek.jpg

Brick and trim we chose:  http://i773.photobucket.com/albums/yy18/JeffGoodman/Roof.jpg

Thanks so much!

Answer
Hi Jeff,

It's pretty common to mix brick and stucco on tudor style homes.  I have seen brick and stucco mixed on other homes with somewhat mixed success. What you want to avoid is having it look like you didn't have enough money to brick the entire home, so you switched to stucco. So the decision of where the stucco goes and how it is detailed should be very deliberate.

I do think the example house you emailed is pretty much right on for coloring and material choice. Why this one works is that the mortar color ties into the color of the stone/cast stone trim and window, and painted fascia. This is exactly the strategy you want to use with the stucco, so it blends in and looks integrated.  If you are using vinyl windows definitely an almond color would be the tone you want to work with.  

For the space above the porch, if that is open to the porch on the inside of the covered area perhaps a small round window would work?  It does seem like it needs something.  If a window doesn't work then a vent, or even just some stucco detailing (a round circle?)


Nazim Nice
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