Curb Appeal Updates

Some days it seems like we're rebuilding every single part of this house.  For example, when we pulled off all the old aluminum trim covering the roof and window trim, we discovered the wood trim that was underneath had suffered from leaks over the years and was in very poor shape.  So we had to remove it and replace with replicas of what we found.  The good news is, this detail will look amazing once it's all painted!

Once we had the roof crown molding done, it was time for a new roof.  The roof wasn't super old - we guessed about 15 years, but it's such a complicated roof that there was evidence of leaks and patching that had occurred over the years.  We want to get everything sealed tightly, before we start putting new interior finishes inside.  That's not the time to find a leak! 

Dormer roof was lath and sheet metal!

Interestingly, the dormers didn't have what we would consider a proper roof at all.  They had the same lath work that you would find on the interior walls, with a sheet of metal nailed over top of the lath - and then asphalt shingles nailed onto them.  Needless to say, that's not up to today's standards (although it's obviously been there a very long time)!  They now have wood sheathing as a base for the new roof shingles.  

The roof probably makes a bigger difference on a mansard style than a typical house.  Don't you love the new roof? 

Look at that new roof!  And all new window trim!

As a reminder, here's our curb appeal plan with the old roof and aluminum covering all the detailed woodwork.

The plan

And see what a different the roof, windows and trim make once they're updated?

One of the biggest changes we will be making to the house is adding brackets to the upper windows and eaves.  Almost every local Second Empire home that I've looked at has brackets.  If ours had them, they were most likely removed when all the aluminum cladding was added and since we haven't found any clear original photos, we just can't be sure.  Since we're trying to make this a more authentic Second Empire, we will be adding brackets. 

Creating them is a big job!  Kyle cuts each bracket on his CNC machine. 

He glues up two of them to create a full bracket and then uses a router to create the decorative edge on both sides.  We need 16 eave brackets (aka 32 individual ones) and 16 window brackets (aka 32 individual ones).  It's a long process!

Once they're done, I get to paint them.  After lots and lots of experimentation, we finally have a color combo that I'm happy with.  

I have spent so many hours with a tiny paintbrush to get these done!

Mock up of window trim and bracket colors. BTW, none of these were the winners 😂

We did find evidence of some trim work on the original fascia board.  After looking at similar trim on other local homes, I had something custom made at Fat Andy's - our local custom millwork shop.  It was pretty exciting when Kyle installed the trim and the brackets for the first time with the final color combo! 

The painters have started painting up all of the trim. The siding is pre painted, so it will go up last.

And I have to share this first photo of the 'new' antique door and the first of the new windows.  Don't they look amazing???  

I love this 'new' door so much! 

Hopefully painting will finish up this week - before it gets too cold!  And then the pre-finished siding will get installed.

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