Perhaps you can’t judge a book by its cover, but plenty of people judge a home by its front façade. Your home’s street appeal says so much – about your style, the way you live and your neighbourhood – so choosing your exterior is probably one of the most important decisions you will make when building.
There are many things to consider when choosing your façade, including resale value, council restrictions, your own aesthetic, as well as practicality. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when deciding on the look of your exterior.
Where to start
A great place to start is with PGH Bricks’ Style Quiz, which will help you identify the styles and looks you are drawn to and create your own moodboard that reflects your choices. Monier Roofing also has a great round up of popular exterior looks, complete with details such as outdoor accessories and garage doors which are helpful starting points. Both tools offer up-to-date inspirational imagery, professional knowledge and user-friendly cutting-edge tools that allow you to feel confident in your choices.
It’s important to know that if you are building or renovating in an established neighbourhood, you will need to check with your local authorities regarding the front façade. Some new suburbs also have rules about material choices and colours. Councils have guidelines regarding setbacks, styles of houses and some even require approval of exterior paint colours. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to take a look at recent renovations or builds in your neighbourhood to get an idea of the sort of aesthetic likely to meet with council approval. If you are doing a Knockdown/Rebuild, most councils will want a new building to be in keeping with the existing streetscape.
