Sponsored by Metricon

Making the best first impression Is so important when building or renovating your home. A fine balance should be struck between what appeals to you personally, what’s on trend and your streetscape and surroundings, according to the experts at home builder Metricon.

They spend a serious amount of time developing the options available to their customers, weighing up not just aesthetics but a myriad of factors like ease of maintenance, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency and what’s proven popular over the years. What your house will look like on the outside is a big decision and one you don’t want to make quickly or without giving it proper thought.

There are three overall trending styles they’ve pinpointed however: the ever-popular Hamptons, French provincial and contemporary.

Lisa Goodsall, Metricon’s national display home and Studio M retail manager, says when it comes to Hamptons, Metricon have been able to pull together all the best elements of this style over the years and that it works just as well in coastal Sydney, for example, as it does in regional areas like the Hunter.

The Hamptons facade is relaxed and muted, features extensive weatherboard cladding, often mixed with natural stone. The palette is muted, featuring greys and taupes, there’s always gables, and it works well as both single and double storey.

“It feels like lots of airy space, with large windows with colonial bars. Inside, the home is equally light and airy, and the facade tends to suggest that.”

French Provincial, inspired by the 16th Century chateau look, is very grand and less relaxed than Hamptons. Metricon’s Bordeaux design is the perfect example. “It’s very impressive and says ‘we’ve arrived, we’ve made it!’,” Lisa adds.

Then there’s modern contemporary, a look which is popular right across Australia and can actually work just as well in a street of older homes as it does on a new estate. Think drama, bold rectangular lines, simple colours and sustainable materials. Metricon’s Metro31 and Chelsea have them all.

Andrea Barnett is Metricon’s retail product manager, which means she’s in charge of sourcing the products and design elements customers can use in their dream homes. Her best advice if you’re feeling overwhelmed by choosing your facade elements, is to drive around and take a look at a variety of homes, and start building an ideal colour scheme in your mind. Makes notes of what appeals and what doesn’t in terms of materials and overall look. This is a great tip if you’re looking to build with brick as there are so many options these days and what you can see in a sample doesn’t compare to seeing a whole house made of it!

CSR’s Hebel render is a very popular choice too, sometimes used for just part of a facade to contrast with the brick. It comes in lightweight blocks and panels, is reinforced with steel and is quick to build with.

When it comes to choosing a roof, where you live in Australia and the weather can affect this greatly, as well as the aesthetic you’re going for. Consider things such as light colours may keep your home cooler, whether you like the sound of rain on your roof or not, maintenance, and whether you’re going for a traditional or more contemporary look.

Your front door and garage door can make a massive impact on the look of your facade, so choose these carefully too! Don’t forget the driveway and landscaping either; these things are much cheaper and easier to get done at the build stage, rather than later on.

Metricon’s design director Adrian Popple, has been designing homes for 34 years and is one of the country’s best. Above all, he says the process of deciding on your facade shouldn’t be rushed. “It’s one of the most challenging elements of design,” he adds. “It’s really about creating a sense of entry. But try to look at what appeals to you more than what’s on trend. Look at the surrounding landscape and the neighbouring homes. Ultimately a well considered home will stand out on the street; it doesn’t need to be over the top.”

Metricon recently held a webinar all about facades. If you missed it, don’t worry, you can watch it below now!

For more information on Metricon.