First Impressions Count!

You know what they say; first impressions count. So, when it comes to designing the face of your home, it is important to consider the contrast of the tones, textures and colours that will bring it to life, greeting your guests and welcoming you in after a long day.

Furthermore, the street presence your home demands can increase the value of your property substantially. A façade, or cladding choice, can change your home’s story and audience entirely – from its history, to the feeling it ignites, and the audience you attract in the buyer’s market. 

Below stylist, decorator, renovator and The Block 2019 favourite, Deb Saunders, shares her expert advice on choosing façades for your home to put your best face forward.

Consider Your Style

As we’ve seen on The Block this season, choosing an appropriate façade for your properties history, heritage or location Is key – especially if your home is heritage listed (you’ll want to touch base with the local council for that one). Georgian, coastal, Australian colonial, country-chic – the theme you choose to design your property around will play a big part in its façade. 

Daniel and Jade’s 1930’s house three, for example, was deemed “glamourous” and “dramatic” on first-sight by Block expert, Shayna Blaze. The couple’s choice of Australian made CSR Cemintel Balmoral board presented a modern take on a timeless weatherboard. Casting distinct, stylish horizontal shadow lines, the weatherboard enhances the traditional elements of its era, beautifully, lifting it into the modern day. 

Paired with a classic white paint finish, bold, charcoal features, a touch of shrubbery and a contrasting timber verandah, the home, fondly named ‘The Mayfield 1930’, is a perfect example of classic-meets-contemporary Australian style.

Let’s Talk Budget

Affordable and approachable – two words we love to hear in building and renovating, but words that we, often, fear are too good to be true! When drafting up designs and mood boards, you need to keep sight of your budget. You can still achieve the dream without the price tag, but you need to do your research. Products designed for the Australian market, specifically, or that are Australian made, will be cheaper and more readily available, and the same, if not superior in quality. 

Similarly, when it comes to maintenance, durability is key in keeping costs down. Choosing a fibre cement façade is easier to clean, holds paint better and won’t swell or crack the way timber does. So, plan for what you can afford. Look locally. Be open minded. Think outside the box.

Location

The location of your home will play into your choice of theme – both in aesthetic and function. The façade should both complement and protect from local surrounds, so you need to think about the material as well as its finished effect. If you are on the beach or in a coastal area, and want to keep to a traditional Australian look traditional look, a fibre cement cladding, like CSR Cemintel Headland, will help to protect from the salty air and will outlast traditional timber siding options. 

Similarly, fibre cement cladding is ideal for use in bushland and rural areas, made from a non-combustible solution and proven to aid in protection from heat and fire. 

The Block’s Sarah and George chose Cemintel Headland for use on their 1940’s property, paired with a modern take on traditional brick to add to that quirky 40’s flair. Like Shayne Blaze, Deb, too, loves the modern shiplap in the weatherboards, and thinks the muted paint tones work beautifully with the pop of colour throughout the brickwork. Remember, if you’re building a new home, you will need to check in with the developer to ensure your colour scheme fits their guidelines!

Get Creative

Make your mark – the theme your home encompasses does not need to stop at the façade. Why not think about echoing your exterior by bringing the outdoors, in? Whilst weatherboard makes for a stunning external finish, it can also be used as a striking feature wall on the inside of your home, adding texture, colour and flow. 

For example, an open-plan kitchen and dining could span beautifully through bi-fold doors and out onto an entertainer’s deck, tied in with a fluid weatherboard feature wall that runs from the inside to out. Innovative in design and function, it is also great for built-in bed heads, in bathrooms, on ceilings. The opportunities are endless, you just need to find them in your own home’s story. 

For more information about Cemintel, have a look at their website.

Till next time... Façade matters!

xox

Rani

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About Cemintel
Part of the CSR Building family, evolving from a traditional fibre cement manufacturer, Cemintel has transformed into a creative hub of premium lightweight building products backed by design and technical support. Delivering prefinished solutions Cemintel provides architects, builders, designers and homeowners with the freedom to create iconic designs. With a range that has expanded to include external facades, internal linings, flooring and ceiling systems Cemintel’s team will continue to deliver product solutions that assist designers in achieving real points of difference in their residential and commercial projects.