What’s So Hard About Picking A Brick?

March 21, 2010 by  
Filed under Design & Planning

Red BrickI recently had a conversation with someone that was getting ready to remodel their home.  They knew exactly what they wanted to do but at the same time, they didn’t.  They knew the general concept of what they wanted to accomplish – remove the Dryvit stucco from the exterior of their house and replace it with brick.  What they lacked were specific details of what that would look like.  That’s why they called on us.

There is an almost infinite supply of exterior stone and brick to use on a house.  There are also a multitude of siding materials to choose from.  Now put all those combinations together and you have some serious information overload!

You can see how a project as simple as replacing your stucco with stone can quickly become complicated.  That’s when the services of an architect/designer are valuable.  We have been busy gathering feedback and information from the client to help select materials that fit their needs/lifestyle.  We are considering colors, value, sustainability, maintenance, style of the home, neighborhood style, size, and pattern.  All of these decisions will affect the finished look and life of the home.  I am amazed that often times these decisions are made with the brick mason or salesman.  So many pieces of the puzzle are never even considered!

But even more important, might be the need to visualize these changes.  Seeing the samples is one thing, but seeing it on your house is something different.  Using software that will allow you to see your house in three dimensions with different materials and colors is a great way to see your completed project before you commit to any particular selection.  Below are some photos of an existing house and a computer-generated design that will allow the client to envision the finished product in the early stages.

Exterior Front Elevation Before

Exterior Front Elevation Before

Front Elevation 3D Design

Front Elevation 3D Design

What a great way to make decisions for your project!  Don’t make a purchase this large without seeing what you are buying.  If you want to ‘see’ your project before you start – please give us a call.

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