Expert: Paul S. Brown, AIA - 7/15/2007

Question
I reside in Atlanta, GA and I am considering purchasing a 2 story home. This
home resides in a historical area of town where most homes are of a bungalow
style and have wood siding and minimal brick.  

The house I am considering purchasing was built about 5 years ago, but is
completely brick. The home has 2 levels plus an attic. I love a area of the home, I love the interior of the home and the purchase price is a GREAT deal.

On the exterior of the home has a front brick fence, a all brick walkway leading
up to the house (house sits on a slope lot), a all brick front porch, all brick
front face and all brick gable. The home is 2 levels plus it has an attic, so
the gable is very large and only has one window. When you stand away from the
house and look at it, the brick is overpowering and the home doesn't really fit
into the neighborhood.

I options do have I have to break up this brick and make the home fit into the
neighborhood more? Is there anyway I can add some wood to this gable?

The fascia of the home is also vinyl siding that I wanted to replace with wood
around the entire home.

Any pictures or advice would be greatly appreciated!


PS: I apologize. I am not sure what happened in the previous question I asked. I was researching terms and must have pasted some of the research in the last questions.  

Answer
Hi Jay;
Interesting question.... thanks for asking.
Most people like the durability of brick, and want to add it instead of take it away; but I understand your thinking, which reveals a good sense of aesthetics.
Yes, you should be able to remove some of the brick and substitute wood siding.  Since the home was built only 5 years ago, it is probably a brick veneer, held to the building with metal 'brick ties'.  If this is the case, it can be removed from the top down, and wood siding put in it's place.  You will need a flashing detail at the new top of brick and bottom of siding, where they meet.  You might want to salvage some of the removed brick and build a sloping brick sill at this point.
The vinyl replacement with wood should be easy...
? past questions/  not sure I understand, but no problem.  Sorry it took so long to respond; I do this on my work computer and your question came in over the weekend.
Good luck; sounds like a great home; I hope you enjoy it.
The best thing, once you are ready, would be to hire a contractor to do a 'test'; remove a few brick and see what's behind it, then you can plan the job properly before hiring someone to do the whole thing.
Have fun!
PB