Carlon – Exterior Renovation
| Room(s) | Exterior |
|---|---|
| Project scope | Clean facade and revitalize features |
This home in the high-end City of Southside Place on the west side of Houston was just as gorgeous as its neighbors, but in need of serious maintenance on the exterior. We tackled a number of problem areas that had probably not been addressed since the home was built in the mid-’80s. The end result was a lovely red-brick home restored to full living color.
Years of exposure to the elements had left the front door and sidelights looking extremely weathered and distressed. We painstakingly reconditioned and refinished it with a marine spar varnish with a satin finish for just enough shine to make it pop without looking too glossy.
Where before all the bricks had a noticeable gray patina over them, now each one shows off its rich hues thanks to a thorough powerwashing. We also removed and disassembled the carriage lights and repainted them to match the iron gate, saving the owners the cost of replacing them.
The balcony needed work for both structural and aesthetic reasons. The owners didn’t care for the look of the bump-out, so we redesigned it via 3D modeling. We also changed the columns and removed the latticework and repainted everything.
The columns, balusters, and outer edge of the balcony where the wood was most exposed to the elements had cracked and rotted. We replaced all the corrupted wood with premium-grade, Kiln-dried lumber, which we then sealed with an Olympic waterproofing sealant.
It’s difficult to realize just how grimy a driveway has gotten until it’s been powerwashed. The nice, crisp concrete looks even better when coupled with the newly painted iron gate, which had grown rusty and dull over the years. We also powerwashed all the concrete surfaces around the pool in the back yard (not pictured).
The cracked and worn window trim needed to be fixed not only for appearance, but to prevent water from making its way into the sheathing and causing mold and/or rot.
Project Highlights
- Pressure-washing brick must be done carefully to prevent damage. We used a low setting to avoid delaminating the bricks, which would likely cause them to begin crumbling after a year or two as water began to permeate them.
- We used a high-quality varnish on the front door, but even it will need to be maintained to keep it looking brand new. By simply cleaning the door, lightly sanding off the outer coat, and applying a new coat, the owners won’t need to wait for their next major exterior cleaning to enjoy its beauty.
