First impressions matter. We’re guessing you had this drummed into you from a young age. It’s a valuable life lesson that applies equally to looking for a new job as it does to designing your home. Before anyone steps across the threshold, the façade is the first thing they’ll see from the street. That’s why it’s so important to get it right.
Metricon Homes’ Design Director Adrian Popple has a wealth of knowledge to draw on to help you achieve the perfect façade. Read on for his top tips.
What are Metricon’s most popular façades?
Some looks never go out of style, so if you want to achieve a timeless appeal for your home, Adrian recommends the always popular Hamptons façade. “There’s a real familiarity to it. It has plenty of character, with weatherboard and gables. And you can easily change the colour scheme, painting elements of the façade to reflect new trends.”
While it harks back to a classic style, the Hamptons façade is continually evolving. “When it was first introduced, we maintained a fairly neutral, muted palette,” Adrian says. “But now we’re making use of darker colour schemes, adding real contrast between the render and the cladding.”
Another traditional style that proves extremely popular is the classic French provincial look, often seen fronting our Bordeaux and La Pyrenee home designs. “It’s all about embracing the grandeur,” Adrian says.
The entry-level Aspire façade is another crowd favourite. “You can jazz it up with some nice render, cladding, brickwork or feature tiles to bring it to life.”
To what extent can I personalise my façade?
The great thing about Metricon’s all-encompassing range, covering all price points, is that there’s an abundance of options to choose from when it comes to designing your façade. That means no two homes need to look the same, and you can leave your mark on your streetscape.
But it’s worth bearing a few things in mind, Adrian suggests.
My theory is less is always more. Stick to no more than three different materials. Err on the cautious side with colours too, because it has the potential to polarise the market. Adrian Popple, Design Director
Does the size of my block matter when it comes to choosing a façade?
The size and shape of your block play a big role in figuring out which façade is best for you. A corner block doubles your street frontage, and that allows for lots of creativity. “It’s a great opportunity to make a statement,” Adrian says. “You can really extend some of the details.”
While a sloping block may have its challenges, it also adds visual interest. “The changing levels bring particular attention to height,” Adrian says. “You need to add steps down or split levels to get the balance right.”
Narrow blocks can be just as appealing. “Narrow façades suit cubic forms with projected elements, which also works well for a Hamptons theme.”
And when it comes to choosing your front door, your block size matters. “If you have the space, a double door gives the wow factor, and if you opt for a pivot door over hinged, you can go even bigger, which is great for access,” Adrian says. “But if you have a smaller façade, a double door can look out of balance.”
Regardless of door size, there are lots of customisation options to consider – with or without glass, timber, and paint colour – so you can really personalise your home.
Are some façades easier to maintain than others?
Australians have always been drawn to solid brick homes, and it turns out they’re easy to look after too. “Brickwork is very robust and requires a low amount of maintenance,” Adrian says. “Pre-finished products like COLORBOND® and aluminium can also help to reduce time spent on upkeep, but it’s still nice to have a few elements like timber finishes to warm up the façade.”
If you do opt for timber cladding, it does require a little love to keep it looking on point. Especially if your home bakes in the Queensland sun or is lashed with Victorian rain. “You’ll need to allow costs for upkeep, or if you’re handy enough, you can do it yourself,” Adrian says. “If you do let it deteriorate, it becomes trickier to get it back to pristine condition.”
But even then, there are smart hacks. “You can opt for a timber front door that’s protected under a portico,” Adrian says. “And we’re starting to look at composite materials that look like timber, with lower maintenance.”
Metricon is always innovating. “We’re beginning to introduce concrete-look renders as an alternative to textured finishes, and I love that polished appearance. In the past, we achieved that with concrete-look tiles, but now we’re getting an applied finish that looks like the real deal without the joins.”
It’s also worth considering Hebel as an alternative option. “The aerated concrete panels offer a great finish, and can also help with thermal and sound insulation.”
Choosing the right roof matters too. COLORBOND® steel roofs tend to be popular in regional areas and can suit coastal and contemporary themes, while tiled roofs may better complement classic and French provincial façade styles. “Whatever you opt for up top, lighter roof colours help reduce energy costs because of their reflective nature,” Adrian notes.
Does an appealing façade add value to your home?
An impressive façade will instil a sense of pride in you and your family, establishing your place in the neighbourhood. It will be a bonus when it comes to selling up too.
Standing out from the crowd is important. It’s certainly worth allowing a little extra in your budget to upgrade your façade. Adrian Popple, Design Director
One add-on that can help increase the value of your home is a balcony. “They look impressive, make good use of any views, and they support Australians’ love of indoor-outdoor living.”
Working in with the existing style of the street can help create a more timeless look, but contrasting in a striking but not overbearing way can also add value. “You must stay true to the overall look of your home first and foremost, then you can work with that to achieve something great within the streetscape.”
Is there anything else I should keep in mind?
- Getting your façade right is like completing a jigsaw. You have to get all the parts to fit.
- The finishing touches are really important, so follow through with your driveways, paths, landscaping, lighting and window choices.
- Remember to check if there are estate developer guidelines you need to stick to.
- Working through our huge range of options is an exciting process, but it requires time and focus. Our online Gallery is a great place to start, or simply visit our beautiful display homes to see our façades in the flesh.
- The good news is, Metricon’s expert teams can help walk you through all the options. Visiting your local Studio M will help. Make sure you step outside with any samples to see colours and textures in daylight.
You can get more top tips here, or get in touch with one of our professional consultants.
