How to Achieve a Cohesive Home Addition

Building on to your home is a great way to expand your space without the commitment of a full remodel, but making add-ons look natural can be tricky. There are many factors when it comes to siding a new home addition, including popular siding colors, types of siding and cost.

Lifestyle and home decor blogger Liz Marie Galvan recently tackled a home addition and shared how to add onto your house effortlessly.

Using the Same Material for a Cohesive Home Addition Exterior

The best way to ensure a cohesive addition is to use the same siding material and color that is on the rest of your home. Keep in mind that your builders may need to adjust cuts, seams and siding measurement for smoother installation.

For Galvan, her add-on was all about extending the look of her existing build with LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® siding in Snowscape White. 

"Our mission for our 1800s farmhouse is to bring back the same old charm from when it was first built," said Galvan. As she prepared for her home addition, she researched photos of similar builds from that time period and noticed a common theme: matching cladding throughout the entire exterior.

"I always lean toward making home additions look cohesive to be a little more hidden and naturally a part of the original house. We loved the ability to carry our current look with LP SmartSide siding around to the addition," noted Galvan.

In addition to the curb appeal offered by LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Cedar Texture lap siding, Galvan notes the importance of choosing quality siding that will help to protect your add-on from the elements. By using one of the most durable siding options on the market, Galvan felt confident that the products were maximizing the life of her nearly 200-year-old home, add-on and all.

Pairing Siding with Other Previously Existing Materials

The biggest thing to keep in mind when it comes to the cosmetics of an exterior home addition is ensuring it looks purposeful. While many people opt for additions that are a continuation of the house's existing exterior, even a brick or stone house can use siding for a structural addition.

If your existing exterior is a material other than siding, there are a few things you should keep in mind when siding a home addition.

Consider your house style 

When you are looking at the steps to building an addition to a house and planning out your build, think about how the structure will look next to your existing structure and materials. Will it become more or less modern? Does the add-on create a cottage-style silhouette or a lengthier ranch-style home? What are the most popular siding colors for your house style? This will help to inform what color and style of siding you choose.

For instance, red brick and siding color combinations may differ from what works best with stone. If the home you are adding on to is stone, pairing tan or gray siding such as LP SmartSide ExpertFinish siding in Quarry Gray or Terra Brown will pull out elements of the stone and contribute to a visually cohesive exterior. Galvan recommends using the LP SmartSide Home Visualizer to try out different looks and find the style for you. 

Durable & Workable Products 

When it comes to the actual siding installation, having a product that is both durable and workable is key to home additions. 

"Because LP SmartSide lap siding comes in longer lengths for easier installation, it was nice knowing that with LP SmartSide siding we were getting a product that was faster and easier to work with," said Galvan. No matter your house style or material, with the right products you can make any home addition look great.

Ready to explore siding materials for your home add-on? Start here.