How to Choose the Right Facade for Your Home

12th June 2023

Finance & Budgeting Pre-Construction Design & Trends Legal & Contracts First Home Buyer Investor Upsizing & Downsizing

Choosing a facade for your new home? Compare standard and upgraded options, check your estate’s design guidelines and find a look that suits your block and budget.

How to Choose the Right Facade for Your Home

Choosing the right facade for your home is a significant decision in the home-building process. Your facade not only determines your home’s street appeal but also reflects your style and personality. In this article, we’ll explain what a facade is, outline your options, discuss when to invest in an upgraded facade, and provide tips to help you make the best decision.

What Is a Facade?

A facade is the face of your home. It’s the exterior design, including materials, finishes, and colours, that gives your home its identity and contributes to its street appeal. Beyond aesthetics, a facade may be required to comply with estate design guidelines or local regulations.

Some key points about facades:

• They are interchangeable. You can pair almost any facade with your preferred floor plan.
• Facades are governed by estate rules to maintain a cohesive and attractive neighbourhood aesthetic.
• Different facades can add unique features to your home, such as varying materials, roof styles, and architectural elements like balconies or eaves.

How Many Facade Options Are Available?

Most builders offer a variety of facade options, typically ranging from 4 to 6 zero cost options, with additional upgraded options available at a higher cost, which can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the design and size of your home.

Standard facades have improved significantly over the years and now often include features like:

• Brick and render combinations
• Eaves
• Brick infills above windows
• Panel lift garage doors
• Upgraded front doors

Upgraded facades may include:

• Balconies (on two-storey homes)
• High-quality cladding or feature materials
• Larger windows or more intricate designs
• Alternative roof styles, such as skillion or flat roofs

Should You Spend Extra on an Upgraded Facade?

Whether or not to invest in an upgraded facade depends on your priorities and circumstances:

• First Home Buyers and Investors: Focus on functional upgrades that enhance the home’s internal features, such as higher ceilings or better kitchen fittings. Standard facades are sufficient for maximising value without overspending.
• Owner-Occupiers or Dream Home Builders: If this is your long-term home, upgrading the facade can provide a sense of pride and individuality. Consider a design that reflects your personal style while blending with the neighbourhood.

Key Tip: Minimise Timber Maintenance

If you choose a facade with timber elements, be aware that timber requires regular upkeep to maintain its appearance. If low maintenance is a priority, opt for cladding or alternatives that offer a timber look without the upkeep.

Restrictions and Design Guidelines

Estate design guidelines and council regulations can restrict your facade choices. These may include:

• Limiting specific materials or colours
• Requiring additional treatments for corner lots
• Mandating certain roof styles or facade features
• Applying the “one in five” rule, which prevents identical facades on neighbouring homes

Be aware that these rules are in place to ensure consistent and appealing street aesthetics, protecting property values and neighbourhood character.

Facades for Narrow or Wide Blocks

The width of your lot can affect how a facade looks. Builders often use virtual renderings of a facade on a standard lot width, which may differ from how it appears on a narrower or wider block. To get an accurate sense of the facade’s appearance:

1. Request Detailed Elevations: These drawings show the front views of the home with your chosen facade.
2. Visit Built Examples: Ask your consultant for addresses of homes with the same facade and lot width to view in person.

Final Thoughts

Your facade plays a crucial role in your home’s overall appeal. Whether you choose a standard design or an upgraded facade, focus on aligning it with your style, budget, and the estate’s requirements. If you’re unsure, rely on your builder or consultant for guidance.

Explore the Full Episode

For an in-depth discussion on choosing the right facade for your home, listen to the full episode of the Home Building Hub Podcast: How to Choose the Right Facade.

About the Home Building Hub Podcast

The Home Building Hub podcast, hosted by industry experts Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan, is Australia’s premier resource for new home buyers. With weekly episodes featuring special guests, the podcast provides objective, high-quality insights into the home building process—completely free and without sales pitches. From understanding financing options to navigating the complexities of building a new home, each episode is packed with actionable advice and tips.

Explore more episodes at homebuildinghub.com.au and join our growing community of informed home buyers.

Disclaimer

Whilst we’re all about providing value to you, this article should not be considered as legal or financial advice. It contains general information only and is based on the content discussed during the podcast episode. This information is relevant to the episode’s release date and may not be applicable at the time of reading. Always seek independent professional advice tailored to your personal situation before making any legal or financial decisions.