Choosing The Perfect Exterior House Façade

The exterior house façade is the first impression of your home that someone will see. A French word for the front or face, the façade is the side of the house which is facing the street. A façade has both aesthetic and practical applications. Aesthetically, it will represent the home’s personality and street appeal, distinguishing it from other homes on the block and hinting at the charm that might await inside. In a practical sense, the façade will protect the home against weather, providing a physical defence against the elements. The type of façade you choose for your home is only limited by your imagination, with many different styles, colours and materials to choose from. You can change the façade of an existing home or design one when building from scratch. In this article, we’ll explore the diverse mix of different styles, materials, and colours, to help you to create your own uniquely perfect exterior house façade.

Deciding on a house façade can be overwhelming with so many choices of styles, building materials, doors, windows and colour schemes. When you start the process of choosing a house façade, here are some practical things to consider to help gain clarity on your exterior façade decision.

• Research different styles. House styles range from contemporary, coastal, traditional and country to modern and industrial, so there is plenty to choose from. An excellent way to start working out which style is right for you is to think about the type of interior you would like to design. Perhaps you might like minimalism or are drawn to a country-style theme. Regardless, ensuring the façade reflects the interior style is always a good idea. It doesn’t have to be identical, but they should complement each other. If you are still determining the style you want, look at social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for inspiration or check out online home magazines, and house and garden programs. You can also wander around the neighbourhood to see what façades might appeal and what materials and colour schemes are popular in the area.
• Think about location. Location means considering all of the elements associated with the area, including weather, the types of homes in the surrounding streets, and council restrictions. The home façade you choose must be able to withstand the weather conditions. For example, if the area is prone to storms, you might consider a façade with less glass. If the surrounding properties are mainly classic, period style, you might decide an ultramodern façade may not fit within the streetscape. It is also a possibility that the local council may have restrictions on the types of house façades allowed, which is worth researching before getting your heart set on a style that you want. Some covenants may require the façade design to look a certain way if you are building in an estate.
• Think about street frontage. Each block is different; some have more expansive street frontage, while others might be narrow. Some are even positioned on a corner block which means two façades. The street frontage will profoundly impact the style of house façade you choose. A narrow street frontage will not be able to accommodate a sprawling, country-style home, while a corner block will likely require a two-sided façade and more landscaping or privacy screening.
• Think about ongoing maintenance and liveability. When choosing a façade, particularly regarding building materials, consider how much maintenance will be required and whether that is something you can sustain. It is likely that a building with bricks will have lower maintenance than a weatherboard, which might need to be painted regularly.
• Think about your budget. What you can afford to spend needs to be considered, given building materials vary so greatly in cost. The materials required for a large Hamptons façade with a generous-sized front porch and decorative architraves will cost significantly more than a bare brick veneer with a tiled roof. Apart from the style, the size of the home and façade will impact the cost. A large, wide-frontage or double-storey home with multiple front verandahs will require substantial materials and high installation costs. Deciding your budget and determining how to achieve the desired façade style within the financial boundaries is essential.

Armed with practical knowledge of your budget, location, and any potential restrictions on your property, the next step is to examine the different house façade ideas. This means considering everything from styles to building materials, types of doors, lighting, and colour schemes. Here we offer a breakdown of all the house façade choices to give you a comprehensive guide to your options for your home’s exterior look. When contemplating all the elements, remember that they must tie in and complement each other to achieve an aesthetically pleasing façade. Everything from the doors and windows to the building materials, colours, features, lighting and landscaping must be in sync. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the different house façade ideas.

Every home is unique, and with so many façade styles, you can guarantee creating a home that ultimately reflects your style and personality. Perhaps you are drawn to the upmarket feel of a Hamptons home, the charm of a country façade, or the sharp minimalist lines of industrial style. Whatever your penchant, there are a plethora of styles to choose from to make your home your own.

Coastal.

Coastal façades are designed to emote the feeling of a relaxed, seaside lifestyle and capture the essence of a beachside landscape. The coast’s natural elements inspire the colour scheme and building materials of a coastal façade. They are often painted in whites, light greys and blues, which take their cues from the colour palette of the ocean and sky. To achieve that beachside look, coastal façades are usually multi-textured, combining horizontal weatherboards, stone and brick to mimic the aesthetic of the coastline and add texture and depth.

Hamptons.

While the coastal façade is all about relaxed beachside living, the Hamptons style is more about luxury and the beach. This façade is inspired by the famous American holiday destination, The Hamptons, combining an opulent lifestyle with a seaside feel. A Hamptons façade usually has clean lines of weatherboard panelling, large verandahs or porches with sizeable columns and pitched gable roofs that give a sense of grandeur. The colour scheme is often crisp, with clean whites, neutral tones reflecting the beach and blues or greys for contrast.

Contemporary.

Contemporary house façades are a reflection of current modern trends. These are often characterised by clean, simple lines, mixed materials and a moody colour palette. Contemporary homes are the epitome of innovation, often inspired by the minimalist look and focusing on sustainability with clever design techniques and environmentally friendly materials. The colour palette of a contemporary home tends to be a combination of dark and light hues with grey, black, white, ash and smoky tones. This design is all about clean lines, flat roof lines, and mixed materials, including cladding, metal, stone, timber and glass.

Designer.

A designer façade is usually a fashion-forward style specifically designed by an architect. It will typically incorporate a modern contemporary look with functionality and energy-efficient choices. Unlike contemporary homes, which can be large or small, designer façades tend to be grand in scale and associated with high-end properties. Most designer homes will have features like statement front doors, and oversized windows and utilise unusual building materials like concrete panels and quartzite, copper, sandstone and steel.

Traditional.

A traditional façade style draws influence from historic architecture like Victorian, Colonial or Craftsman. It can be the front of a home that is 100 years old or a new home with these influences. While these façades have different origins, they all have standard features of a traditional façade, including large porches, gabled roofs, overhanging beams and rafters. Traditional façades use building materials such as brick, plaster, stucco, stone and wood. Most traditional façades have understated features and soft colours like light grey and white.

Country.

Country façades are classically known for their use of timber and rustic features. Most country-style façades are more expansive in width than in length and include large front porches or wrap-around verandahs. Features of a classic country façade are gabled roofs, timber fretwork and panelling. Horizontal weatherboard and lime-washed timber are the most common building materials in this façade style. The roof will usually be either steel or tiling.

Industrial.

An industrial façade on a house appears to look like a factory or warehouse. Industrial-style façades tend to be built with exposed brick, large cement sheets, and metal features. The style is suited to prefabricated panels and usually has limited glass. The colour palette is often plain light or dark grey to achieve an industrial look.

The materials your façade is constructed from affect the aesthetic appeal and protect your home from the elements. Building materials have evolved from the standard brick veneer to cladding, metal and glass. Choosing suitable building materials will have a significant impact on your home’s cost and quality.

Brick.

One of the most versatile and durable building materials, bricks are often used in house construction, including façade design. Bricks are made from clay or mud baked in a kiln and come in various shapes, colours and textures. Brick can provide a stunning contrast when combined with modern materials like steel. They are long-lasting, weather-resistant, good insulators, can increase soundproofing, and add to street appeal.

Cladding.

While brick is the most well-known cladding material, many others, including metal, fibre cement, timber, vinyl, and stone, are suitable for house façades. Cladding a façade will protect against the elements and enhance longevity. It is customisable, and there are many cladding options to choose from in terms of materials and colours.

• Timber cladding can be installed in a traditional horizontal pattern or vertically for a more contemporary look and is available in various timbers, including western red cedar and spotted gum.
• Stone cladding is a refined or thin layer of natural/artificial stone, which is applied to an exterior wall to give the effect it is made entirely of stone. It is a popular cladding material for Hamptons, country and modern contemporary-style façades.
• Metal cladding is becoming increasingly popular and is often combined with brick or weatherboard. Metal cladding is a lightweight façade solution that adds a touch of dramatic appeal.
• Fibre cement cladding is available in several styles, from large or small panels to vertical and horizontal boards. It is low maintenance, weather and fire-resistant, and long-lasting. The large panels are often used in modern contemporary façades.
• Vinyl cladding is generally made from PVC combined with other substances. It is usually available in horizontal and vertical boards, similar to weatherboards. It is maintenance-free, affordable and durable, and can be used for classic and contemporary façades.

Stone.

The timeless elegance and natural strength of stone make it one of the most appealing building materials for a house façade. Stone is aesthetically appealing, durable, long-lasting, and used in traditional and modern home construction. A wide range of stones are used for façades, including limestone, sandstone, granite, slate, and bluestone.

• Limestone is low maintenance, durable and an environmentally friendly stone. It is available in a variety of colours, tones and textures. It can be used for cladding or solid stone blocks. Cladding is a more popular option for a home façade unless the entire home is constructed from limestone.
• Sandstone offers many natural colours like tan, brown, white, black and purple, which derive from the mineral content of the stone. Sandstone bricks can be smooth or have a rock face and are known for their durability and longevity. Sandstone bricks and cladding are both used in house façade construction.
• Granite bricks and cladding are used for house façades and come in various colours and patterns, including white, pink, black and grey. Granite is exceptionally resistant to the elements and is long-lasting.
• Slate is available in different sizes, colours, shapes and textures, ideal for house façade styles including modern contemporary, traditional and designer. It’s a highly durable stone in brick and cladding form.
• Bluestone is a beautiful, long-lasting and sturdy stone that can be used as full bricks or cladding. A bluestone façade adds a luxurious appeal to a home and is ideal for a multitude of façade styles, from traditional to modern.

Metal.

Metal panels can be used for an external façade alone or in conjunction with other building materials. They offer a modern appeal and are versatile, durable and cost-effective. Metal panels can make a home look sleek and contemporary and are often used for industrial-style façades. Metals used for a façade include zinc, aluminium, copper and steel. Aluminium is the lightest metal and the most commonly used in house façade construction.

Concrete.

Concrete is a durable, long-lasting, sustainable building material for a house façade. It comes in various choices, including precast concrete panels, concrete blocks and concrete tiles. Precast Concrete Panels are factory-made and transported to construction sites for installation. Concrete tiles can be customised for façade design, and concrete blocks are ideal for cladding and structural purposes.

Render/bag/painted.

A rendered or bagged façade is when cement coatings are applied to the external front wall to make it smooth or textured. Rendered external façades can be painted and are often used to rejuvenate the look of an existing house façade or give a home a modern look. A rendered façade has the benefit of extra insulation and aesthetic appeal. Rendering is often seen in modern, contemporary, traditional, and coastal-style façades.

Glass.

Using glass in a façade is not only visually appealing, it has a functional value, adding natural light to a home. Large glass façades look extravagant and luxurious and are often used in modern house façade designs. Glass is often used with timber, steel and concrete panels.

The type of roof you choose will affect its durability, longevity, and aesthetic integrity. It can even impact energy consumption. It is important to choose a roof that suits your climate, home style, and budget.

Metal roofing.

Metal roofing is usually zinc, steel or aluminium, available in various styles and colours. The types of metal roofing include metal shingles, corrugated metal, metal tiles and standing seam metal. Corrugated metal roofing would complement a country-style façade, while the standing seam metal roof is more suited to a modern façade.

Concrete tiles

These are the most common tile used as it is affordable, and can be customised in various colours and styles. Concrete tiles suit most house façades.

Clay tiles.

Clay tiles, also known as terracotta, are recognisable for their sun-kissed red hues. These tiles are classically beautiful and complement traditional house façades and designer façades with a Mediterranean influence.

When it comes to choosing doors and windows, there are a plethora of choices out there. You may follow a current trend or choose door materials that complement your façade style. When choosing doors and windows, it is important to examine the different types with appearance, functionality and performance in mind.

Wood-Panelled Door.

This is a traditional style of door that would be ideally suited to a traditional façade style. Wood-panelled doors tend to have raised panels or mouldings and can be made from natural wood.

Flat solid.

The simple appearance of a flat solid door means it can provide good home security and suit various façade styles. These doors work well with a traditional façade but can be just as effective in a modern contemporary style with minimalistic features.

Fully glazed.

A full glass front door is ideal for a minimalistic or modern façade. The use of solid glass ensures light and can be aesthetically pleasing, however, can be an issue for privacy.

Part glazed.

Doors with partial glazing are seen more in casual design façades like coastal or country. They can also complement traditional façade styles.

Wrought iron.

Front doors with a wrought iron feature will also include other materials like glass panels. Wrought iron doors are an elaborate home feature that suits any façade style. Their old-world charm makes them ideal for traditional homes, while modern versions of iron doors complement minimalistic or contemporary façades.

Double.

Double doors come in every material, from iron to glass, timber and solid. This style suits every type of house façade. The minimalist appeal of a contemporary façade would be ideal for glass double doors, while panel double doors complement the style of traditional façades.

The garage is an integral part of a home’s exterior, and choosing the right garage door will impact the property’s overall appearance. When choosing a garage door, consider your home’s façade style, colour scheme and personal style.

Steel.

Steel garage doors are known for their longevity, style and colour choices, also imitating a timber look if so desired. Steel is one of the most popular materials for garage doors as it is an affordable option. The classic look of a steel garage door makes it ideal for a contemporary or modern home façade, but it can also work with traditional home façades. Known for their versatility, steel garage doors can include windows and other decorative features.

Timber.

A timber garage door has a timeless and elegant quality that lends itself to traditional style façades, country, and coastal. They have excellent insulation but can be high maintenance, requiring regular painting or staining.

Louvred.

This garage door style can have horizontal slats that let light in or be a solid door with a stamp pattern that looks like a louvred design. Louvre-style garage doors are generally made from aluminium and come in various colours. They are good garage doors for styles of house façades, including traditional, modern contemporary and coastal.

Custom Garage Door.

Custom Garage doors can offer flush mount systems to complement different cladding options, seamlessly integrating the door into the home’s surrounding façade. Alternatively, you can create something entirely new and unique based on your individual style, home, and needs. The options are endless!

Facade lighting plays a significant role in a home’s overall aesthetic appeal and can help prevent break-ins. With the correct lighting, architectural features can be highlighted, and key elements like beautiful windows or brickwork illuminated. In a practical sense, façade lighting is a crucial security feature, giving the home a lived-in look and offering some protection against burglaries.

Uplighting.

This lighting illuminates the façade from the ground up. The lighting from either spotlights in the ground, or spike lights, gives the façade an imposing look and creates striking visual effects. These are mainly used on traditional façades but can also be effective on modern contemporary façades.

Downlighting.

These lights are positioned on the roof or gutters and illuminate the façade in a downward direction. The most popular for residential homes, downlighting offers a less moody lighting effect than uplighting and tends to illuminate the front area simply and evenly.

Accent lighting.

This lighting style aims to illuminate the façade’s design features and architectural details. Accent lighting includes façade linear lights, wall lighting and spotlights.

Security lighting.

All façade lighting will offer security and deter criminals, but motion sensor lighting is one of the most effective forms of security lighting. Solar lights and spotlights are other good options.

Colours have an impact on the look and feel of your home, from the roof to building materials, doors and windows. Choose a colour scheme based on the house façade style, the surroundings and the type of feel you are trying to create. Light and airy vibes exude from pastels, white and bright colours, while dark monochrome hues promote a moody ambience.

Pastels.

A home façade with pastel colours has a light and airy ambience. Shades of mint and pale blue are ideal for beachside façade vibes, while oranges and light pinks can create a Tuscan feel. A pastel colour scheme is suited to weatherboard homes, country style and coastal façades.

Two-tone.

As it sounds, two-tone uses two tones for the house façade colour scheme. The two tones can be shades of the same colour or completely different colours that complement each other. A good example is using dark charcoal on the body of the house and a white tone on the trims, windows, doors and eaves. The two-tone look is most effective on coastal, Hamptons, and traditional façades.

Monochrome.

Unlike a two-tone colour scheme, a monochromatic colour scheme is just one colour. This has become increasingly popular for modern and minimalist home façades, tending towards dark hues for a moody look.

White and bright.

Clean white is becoming a popular choice in the colour palette as it makes homes look fresh and new. Pure white façades are being used on all homes, from the expected Hamptons style to traditional, coastal and modern contemporary.

Green.

Although not one of the most common colour choices for a house façade, green can make a powerful statement when used well. Lighter shades of green are ideal for traditional and contemporary house façades. While a dark olive green can be effective on modern and minimalist façades.

Earth tones.

Warm browns, beige, muddy greens, blues and vibrant mineral shades are some of the primary earth tones used for a house façade’s colour scheme. These colours give a warm and cosy vibe to the home’s entrance and can be ideal for coastal, country and traditional façades.

Choosing an external house façade is a big decision with several factors to consider. As we have discussed, it is about more than just the style of home that appeals, but the practical considerations like the area, budget and council regulations. Ensuring each element of the façade complements the other will be crucial to achieving the aesthetically pleasing exterior façade you dream of. For any further information on external house façades, contact the experts at Forme Homes.