Faux Brownstone -- Stucco-ing a Frame House?
We recently had some estimates done on re-finishing the stoop of our frame house. The masonry guys who looked at the job also suggested that we stucco the front of our frame house rather than restoring the clapboard siding. We hadn’t considered this option before, but it would be 1/2 the price of wood or…
We recently had some estimates done on re-finishing the stoop of our frame house. The masonry guys who looked at the job also suggested that we stucco the front of our frame house rather than restoring the clapboard siding. We hadn’t considered this option before, but it would be 1/2 the price of wood or hardi-plank and about the same price as vinyl siding.
Right now our house is a real eyesore — covered with faded gray aesbestos shingles. We are at the end of a row of vinyl-sided, not-too attractive frame houses in CH, not in a landmarked area.
Is this too weird? Will it end up looking really cheesy? Is there any other downside to consider on this?
How about brick AND clapboard? Looks good. Don’t go vinyl or synthetic stucco. Vinyl fades, synthetic stucco isn’t right for your type of building in the wet and humid archipelago of New York (remember we all live on islands except in 98% of the Bronx) ….
CHECK OUT THE HOUSE ON THE CORNER OF 16TH STREET AND 6TH AVENUE. THAT SUCKER IS THE POSTER CHILD FOR PLASTIC STUCCO. I CAN’T BELIEVE THE CONTRACTOR KEEPS HIS SIGN UP FOR ADVERTISING. YOU KNOW LIKE TWENTY YEARS AGO THEY STARTED USING THIS STUFF IN THE SOUTH FOR STRIP MALL FACADES, TO GIVE THEM THE LOOK OF CASTLES.
I’ve done a bit of siding in my time (it was the family business growing up).
Try Nailite’s new perfection shake. It’s the only halfway decent looking synthetic siding (aside from Hardiplank) out there.
http://www.nailiteinternational.com/ppcedar.aspx
Or search online auctions for leftover clapboard and do it right one wall at a time:).
Cambridge Pl between Fulton and Gates has a few.
The houses in Bed Stuy with asbestos siding, asbestos brick, fake fieldstone and vinyl siding are too many to name. I’m sure people were sold a bill of goods convincing them that the above would beautify those ugly old Victorian facades, and make their houses look modern and upscale, like the burbs. Gives me the shivers!
Where are there blocks of vinyl sided houses in Clinton Hill. I’ve seen a house here or there, but never several in a row?
I think anybody who is on a block of those sadly ugly vinyl sided houses in clinton hill or bed stuy (my fav’s are the faux stone ones! has a real opportunity to change their neighborhoods for the better. In my mind, if you spend the extra money to do it right (read: real wood done in a restoration/authentic/original look manner) you will be influencing others on your block to do the same and increasing the beauty and value of your neighborhood. It seems to be a win-win. You get a great looking house you can be proud of, your neighbors start to think “hey, I don’t want to be shown up” and copy you, the neighborhood becomes more beautiful, and your house prices rise which will more than compensate for the added cost. It might take a few years, but I know it is starting to happen on my block and it is so fun to see. Except for that slumlord who slapped on a stucco front (orange!!!) so the house looks silly and will be ruined by waterdamage/mold in a couple years (then sold it to an unsuspecting soul)
Anyway, my vote is take the chance -you won’t be disappointed and it will save you from coming home every night and saying “damn, that vinyl looks ok, but I sure wish I had gone with the wood”. Good luck!
Interested to hear the comments about stucco. I am a would frame house owner. Our front facade is clapboard. One side of the house is asphalt shingle. This side abuts a buildable lot. We were planning to stucco but negative comments hear have me wondering. Doesn’t seem like clapboard or shingle make for siding since if someone can build next to you and shingle or clapboard would day over time. Any opinons or recommendations.
Oh clinton hillbilly, you know you live in Bed-Stuy! It’s okay, we still love you. And I don’t think your house is hideous, but I do think wood is the only way to make a frame house look nice.
Since the exterior of my house makes it the winner of the worst looking house on my block award, I probably should keep my fingers quiet, but I would wait.
If you have any leakage or damage, patch that with wood siding and maybe give the whole thing a quickie paint job to spruce it up. The paint job won’t last but few years, but that may be all you need to be happy until you have more funds.
BTW, do you live on the block before Shahn? I noticed a lot of frame houses on that block.