inspiration Archives - Westlake Royal Pros Blog

May 26, 2023May 31, 2023

Inspiration: 6 Approaches to Create Compelling Gable Ends

Multi-textured facades are one of the most popular trends for residential exteriors, and gable ends are an easy way to add differentiation and styling.

Foundry™ Specialty Siding and Portsmouth™ Shake & Shingles offer the warm look, deep textures, and rich colors of cedar in a range of authentic shake and shingle profiles—ideal for accents or the full façade. In addition, both are available in a single-course 7” to minimize waste in a gable application.

Consider these approaches to using shakes and shingles for more eye-catching gable ends:
• Two-tone colors: Incorporate gable siding in a color one or two shades removed from the rest of the façade. The siding profile can be the same or different than the main cladding. Shown here are Portsmouth D7 Cedar Shingles in Oceanside and Indigo, as well as Exterior Portfolio™ Vinyl Trim in Aspen White.

On this home, Foundry Split Shake siding in Colonial Grey in the gables combines with a slightly darker tone on the main façade.

• Matching colors, unique profiles: Blending shakes and shingles in the gables with lap siding or other profiles on the main façade offers a subtle yet eye-catching look. This home achieves this with Foundry 7” Split Shake in Blueberry 253.

• Contrasting colors: Adding a bold color to the gable can provide a more dramatic pop of color without a huge commitment on the full façade. When choosing, select accent colors that work well with the main siding. As explained on Color Matters, “color harmony” can be achieved by using a color wheel and choosing analogous colors (three colors side by side on the wheel) or complementary colors (directly opposite each other on the wheel).

Shown here are Portsmouth D5 Cedar Shingles in Greystone above D5 Cedar Shingles in Driftwood.

This home features Foundry 10” Staggered Shake in Russet over a tan facade.

• Board and batten: For an on-trend style combination that adds a touch of distinction, incorporate board-and-batten into the gable. This Craftsman stands out and veers slightly modern with two small Portsmouth Board and Batten accents in Sand, above D7 Cedar Shingles in Storm for the main façade.

• Specialty shapes: For traditional homes, specialty shapes like Portsmouth Half Rounds (shown here in Cypress) add a touch of flair in keeping with the familiar style.

• Gable vents: Easy-to-install gable vents are the perfect decorative element for gables, and come in simple shapes or designer options. Choose from a coordinating color or a bolder accent. Shown here is a Mid-America™ half-round gable vent.

For even more gable inspiration, visit Idea Galleries from Foundry Specialty Siding and Portsmouth Shake & Shingles.

March 6, 2021March 6, 2021

Inspiration Gallery: Foundry Siding Elevates 9 Exterior Facades

With so many options to mix and match siding styles, textures, and colors, there’s no excuse for a ho-hum façade. And Foundry Siding makes it simple, delivering the warm look and beautiful colors of cedar to enhance curb appeal.

Combine Foundry’s variety of shingle, shake, and stone profiles with each other and with other materials to create compelling, varied exteriors that stand out and ensure each home looks unique. And while Foundry offers the authentic looks of natural materials, its innovative PVC makeup requires little maintenance.

Here are just a few ways builders and remodelers are using Foundry to create distinctive homes.

Foundry 10” staggered shake in Snow and stone combine perfectly on this home to create a dramatic yet elegant look.

Foundry Staggered Shake, Foundry Split Shake

Foundry’s extensive color selection offers ample opportunity to create eye-catching color contrast in gables and accents, as seen here with Staggered Shake in Russet and Split Shake in Lite Khaki.

Alternatively, try complementary colors for a more subtle contrast, as seen here with a combination of stone and Foundry Staggered Shake in Eggshell.

Here’s another example, as Foundry combines with a similar-toned vinyl on the lower level for a soothing coastal vibe.

The expansive façade of this multifamily project could easily have turned staid, but a combination of stone, Foundry siding, and white trim, along with a pop of black in the shutters, create eye-catching variety while helping to define individual units.

At this foster home in Michigan, accent walls and gables clad in Foundry siding combine with lighter blue horizontal and vertical siding profiles elsewhere on the façade.

Foundry shakes in a Pacific Northwest-friendly blue are the perfect backdrop for the bold trim accents on this facade in Morningstar Homes’ Roslyn Ridge development. (Photo: @boral_trev_westerncanada⁠)

Boston Exterior Remodeling, Foundry siding

Also consider how siding and other exterior elements combine, as seen here in this Boston Exterior Remodeling project featuring Foundry Grayne Shingles in Rustic Slate on equal footing with the bold, attention-grabbing yellow door.

Explore more Foundry projects in our Inspiration Gallery.

November 2, 2020November 2, 2020

Inspiration Gallery: Versetta Stone in Northern Ash

Versetta Stone, Northern Ash, Pacific Northwest Exhibition

Not only is Versetta Stone easy to install, with a panelized format that goes up with nails or screws, it adds the perfect aesthetic touch to homes, multifamily projects, and light commercial spaces. Versetta Stone’s authentic look is ideal for adding an elegant or rustic touch to exterior walls, chimneys, and columns, while inside it can easily enhance the visual appeal to fireplace surrounds and walls without the added weight of real stone.

This is especially the case with Northern Ash, the newest colorway and the boldest yet. The dramatic, near-black hue is perfect for today’s trends favoring dark colors—to add a pop to the exterior or create the perfect accent wall.

Need inspiration? Here are a few early applications of this new color:

This beauty was the prize home for the Pacific Northwest Exhibition, a non-profit organization in British Columbia that funds local community, agriculture, and arts programs. The 3,188-square-foot mountain home boasts a rustic-modern look, a perfect fit for first-floor walls made with Versetta Stone in Northern Ash. Project participants included Gentek Building Products in Kelowna (dealer), Freeport Industries (builder), Chartwell Exteriors & Standard Insulation and Siding (installers), and Canadian Stone Industries (distributor).

Versetta Stone, Northern Ash, multifamily design

For this multifamily project, Northern Ash added the perfect accent on the corners, providing contrast to the lighter hues elsewhere on the façade and providing a multi-textured look that’s tremendously popular right now.

Versetta Stone, Northern Ash, fireplace, two-sided fireplace — Image courtesy Construction in the Creek

Bold and modern, this beautiful two-sided outdoor fireplace by Construction in the Creek is clad in Versetta Stone Northern Ash. The dark hue perfectly coordinates with the space’s black-and-white color scheme.

RR Buildings, Versetta Stone, outbuilding — Image courtesy Rural Renovators

A half wall of Versetta Stone Northern Ash adds an aesthetic touch to this outbuilding by Rural Renovators, Inc., combining with the shutters and porch to provide a slight residential appeal suitable for the property.

Northern Ash is just as suitable for interiors and for light commercial spaces, as shown here in a lobby waiting room.

Excited by Northern Ash? See all the Versetta Stone profiles here.

May 8, 2020May 15, 2020

Build a Birdhouse Using Kleer Lumber and TruExterior Trim

With authentic looks and high performance, Kleer Lumber and TruExterior trim are ideal for creating eye-catching exterior façades—any exterior façade. We challenged our sales teams to put that idea to the test and flex their creativity by building birdhouses in between the virtual meetings and training sessions they’re conducting from their homes during the pandemic. And they delivered with a collection of pretty snazzy designs. Lucky for the birds, both Kleer trim and TruExterior trim are low maintenance, durable, and suitable for any style.

If you’re looking for a fun project during stay-at-home downtime, check out our sales team’s creations below. They just might inspire you to build your own avian abode—or spark some ideas for your own home exterior.

The classic Craftsman with welcoming front porch:

The brand-loyal multifamily with room for the whole flock:

The cozy cottage with on-trend outdoor living space:

The Mid-Century Modern:

The ultra-modern:

Which design is your favorite? Cast your vote on our Instagram page.