House Exterior Updating Ideas

 

BEFORE Exterior Entry Porch

My house is a 1970’s era tan brick home that I am updating. The front door and porch on the street side of the house needs an update to come to life, especially after we have removed most of the overgrown shrubs surrounding it.

In my dreams. I would like to cover the brick with exterior vertical plank paneling like this home has and then paint it, but that may have to wait if too costly. I would like to add new doors that will add more light into the house and interest to the exterior.

Add vertical plank siding over brick:

LP plank siding – https://www.homedepot.com/p/LP-SmartSide-SmartSide-48-in-x-96-in-Strand-Panel-Siding-27874/100055901

I would like to replace the (too small) existing brick entry porch steps with new brick or long wide wooden modern steps that would expand across the whole open section of the porch. I would stain or paint to coordinate with the house colors.

Perhaps even add stained wood columns porch floor to ceiling with wood to each side of the porch like the ones in this image, minus the stone.

I would like to replace the doors and sidelights with four – 6 light paneled doors. Two working, two used as sidelights:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Steves-Sons-36-in-x-80-in-Craftsman-Savannah-6-Lite-Left-Hand-Inswing-Autumn-Wheat-Mahogany-Wood-Prehung-Front-Door-M6410-06-CT-4ILH/304245489

Add steps across expanse of porch to look something similar to these or new stone steps to look like…

…these.

I would like to make one or two modern wood benches to place on either side of the door using 2″ x 4″s and then stain them.

Add planters filled with colorful flowers. New shrubs, hostas and flowers will complete the makeover.