The dream of bricks and wrap around porches belongs to owners of brick houses with a wrap-around porch. These structures not only add warmth and character but also provide eternal enjoyment for the eyes.
Ultimately, you may wish to refurbish even the most beautiful brick houses, as time goes by. To be sure, the guide will delve into various ways to update a brick house with a wrap-around porch exterior, thereby, giving these homes a new lease on life.
Understanding the Charm of Brick Houses with Wrap Around Porches
First, think about the features of the houses when talking about updates. It is important to find the perfect beauty of the brick houses. Indeed, these homes are infested with a deeply embedded history. The wrap-around porch, specifically, allures the guests and turns the house into one big embrace of the outdoor world. You can read more about the history of brick architecture to appreciate the deep historical significance of these beautiful homes.
To truly elevate the beauty and value of your home’s exterior, exploring exterior home remodel ideas can offer a wealth of inspiration. From fresh landscaping ideas to modern updates, it’s all about accentuating the charm of brick and wrap-around porches.
Assessing Your Brick House Porch
The number-one item on your list for updating a brick house with a wrap-around porch is to assess its present condition. Examine the brick house with wrap-around porch for any suggestive signs of damage, such as cracked bricks, loose mortar, or failed structural parts of the porch. What you see during this examination would set a clear direction for the updates that need to be made and those that are only for beautifying purposes.
Common Issues with Brick House Porches
- Brick faces are discolored or poorly finished.
- Cracks in mortar.
- The floor porch is getting old and worn out.
- Features such as columns and railings are outdated.
- Trim shows signs of flaking or discolouration.
To repair cracks in mortar, consider reading this how-to guide on repairing mortar joints from Family Handyman, which offers step-by-step instructions.
For those facing challenges such as discolored brick or deteriorating columns, small bathroom design ideas can offer valuable insights into tackling smaller, intricate design issues that may overlap with your brick porch repairs.
How to Update Brick Exterior Without Painting
Many people have a profound curiosity about the non-painting methods to update brick extensions since they are keen on maintaining the natural appearance of the bricks. Let us now check some of the best options:
1. Pressure Washing
The wrapping porch can look like new again simply by a good cleaning with a pressure washer. Years of dirt, grime, and algae growth can be removed by pressure washing, giving you the original look of the bricks.
2. Tuckpointing
This process involves picking out and repointing deteriorated mortar joints, and wherever necessary, new mortar is installed. Consequently, the appearance is improved and the load-carrying capacity is enhanced.
3. Landscaping
Strategic landscaping is a sure way to appeal to the eye of a brick house exterior. It is better to start with flower beds, shrubs, or climbing vines that would help you naturally soften the look of the porch.
If you want to enhance your outdoor space while staying within a budget, consider affordable home decor ideas. Landscaping can be an affordable way to add value without overhauling the entire structure.
Updating the Wrap Around Porch
The wrap around porch is one of the main features of the exterior of a brick house with a wrap-around porch. These are some of the ideas:
1. Refinish or Replace Flooring
The worn-out porch floor can be sanded and refinished. You can even replace the cracked floor with a new lumber or composite version.
2. Update Railings and Columns
The secret of all porches lies in a good railing and good columns. The removal of old railings and columns can significantly transform the appearance of a wrap-around porch. Pick styles that flow with the exterior of the brick house.
3. Add Outdoor Furniture
Just the right outdoor furniture, when chosen appropriately, creates a comforting and welcoming feel on a wrap-around porch. For more seasonal outdoor ideas, explore outdoor Christmas decorating, which offers suggestions on creating a festive and cozy atmosphere for your porch.
How to Update a Brick House: Color Accents
Few people would like to keep the natural brick as it is, but still would like the facade to look a bit different with the help of some color accents:
1. Paint Trim and Shutters
Coating the trim, shutters, and doors with fresh paint in a contrasting color to the brick can be a great start.
2. Colorful Porch Ceiling
Try the visual interest by painting your porch a soft blue or any other color that is close. If not, the painting can be a great idea to brighten the space inside the porch.
3. Accent Lighting
Installing outdoor lighting in the best places can bring the finest attributes forward in the case of a brick house with a wrap-around porch.
For more tips on utilizing bold colors for home decor, you can explore vibrant paint options for your home’s exterior that pair beautifully with natural brick.
Modern Updates for a Red Brick House with Wrap Around Porch
A red brick house with a wrap-around porch, homeowners can explore modern updates to make it more appealing:
1. Mixed Materials
One way of including the span-new elements into the old is by qualitatively the new sole materials in combination with the old ones such as metal, wood, or bricks. This can sometimes create a visual surprise and also improve the look of the house.
2. Contemporary Doors
Fixing a new kind of design of doors to the old places instead of them is a transformation. In an even more sleek manner, adding a clean, contemporary front door could be a true game-changer in the home décor.
3. Updated Windows
Try to replace the old windows with energy-efficient ones that complement the brick exterior. Black window frames might be the best solution to enhance the aesthetics of the brick houses.
For additional guidance on selecting doors and windows that align with modern home designs, take a look at trendy entryway color combinations to find inspiration for a cohesive look.
Eco-Friendly Updates for Brick House Exteriors
When it comes to the ideas about how to modernize the brick exterior, the green concepts should be considered as well:
1. Solar Panels
Solar panels placed on the roof benefit the house not only by the apocalyptic sound of climate change, which I remember watching over the years, but it also reduces the electricity use at the same time.
2. Rain Barrels
Combining functions with beauty may be part of the expression of one’s self. In the same breath, a functional rainwater collection system can also make for some great visual adornments to the outdoor area.
3. Native Plants
Engagement of the civilizations into the environment-friendly practices is a win-win for the earth and the people living in it. Planting with native plants goes a long way to the beauty of the brick house porch as well as support for the local ecosystems.
For a broader eco-friendly approach to home improvement, you may find useful ideas in affordable kitchen renovation ideas, where you can explore green solutions for both the kitchen and exterior.
Seasonal Decor Ideas for Brick Houses with Wrap Around Porches
Seasonal decorations are perhaps the easiest way to change the look of a brick house with a wrap-around porch during the year:
1. Spring
Fix flower boxes before the house, use colors of a light shade (pink, yellow, green) to play off the brightness of the porch, and the inevitable lift of winter gloom.
2. Summer
Assignments take the opportunity to set up on the porch with fruit punch or a small resting place. Soften the darkness of evening hours with string lights in different areas. Country Living offers some seasonal porch decorating ideas to inspire you throughout the year.
3. Fall
Bring in the autumn theme with pumpkins, corn stalks, and orange-colored covers on the porch love-seats.
4. Winter
Place Artificial Garlands if you want to add a more natural hint in every corner of a sunny winter day. The heaters will make your evenings cozy by adding a special touch.
For inspiration on creating a small space party ideas setup, consider how to decorate for special occasions or festive gatherings.
Maintenance Tips for Brick House with Wrap Around Porch
Maintaining the appeal of a brick house with wrap-around porch is all about just adhering to the routine of the regular maintenance:
- Check regularly for cracks or damage in the brick and mortar.
- Seal the porch floor yearly to protect it from weather damage.
- Clear gutters out to minimize water damage to the home.
- Pruning the bushes and vines on the wall to prevent them from damaging the building.
- Inspect the railings and steps for any loose connections and repair them if necessary. For a detailed home maintenance checklist, refer to Realtor.com’s seasonal maintenance guide.
For broader maintenance tips that span across your home, refer to small kitchen remodel ideas for a comprehensive approach to upkeep.
Conclusion
Taking on the unique task of modernizing a red brick house with a wrap-around porch is typically an enthralling one that will bring a new chapter to an old home.
From a basic cleaning and a regular checkup on structure to higher scope renovations, there are numerous ways to amp up the beauty and function of homes over time.
The decision to whether or not retain the natural brick look or apply more striking alterations is one that homeowners wrestle with.
FAQs: How To Update Brick House With Wrap Around Porch Exterior
1. Can I paint my brick house with wrap white around the porch?
Yes, there is a painting-technique to restore the beauty of a brick house. Nonetheless, it’s a kind of irreversible change that needs to be properly planned. For example, you may apply whitewashing or German smear techniques which bring out the original natural brick from the rest of the house.
2. How can I modernize my brick house without major renovations?
A little house makeover without doing a full-scale renovation might imply the following: getting a new front door, changing out the old exterior light fixtures, putting up the modern house numbers, or changing the front yard. In this way one can weave a new tapestry which will ultimately always be different.
3. What are some cost-effective ways to update a brick house with a wrap-around porch?
Try these sustainable methods: using the exterior pressure washer, placing potted plants on the front, painting the trim, and building hanging outdoor blinds for privacy and a sunset look on the deck.
4. How often should I clean the exterior of my brick house?
You know, normally it is prescribed washing a brick house on the outside every 3-5 years. Nevertheless, it can depend on the local climate and what percentage of debris you have. The choice is yours.
5. Can I add a wrap around porch to my existing brick house?
It’s doable to insert a wrap around porch to an existing brick house. However, this type of project is one of the most crucial ones and thus needs to be well prepared, with the right permits and a qualified workforce, such as engineers, carpenters, and so on, to assure it will not ruin the existing setup and even make it more aesthetic.
