With these techniques, you can breathe new life into an old split-level home — you have more alternatives than you realize! What’s not to like about a house with two levels? The internal areas are well-designed. While the shift in floor level separates the areas in certain ways, they remain visually linked from one level to the next. Split-level homes are attractive on the inside.
The outside is frequently a different tale. Split-level exteriors might be a little boring. You’ve seen one, and then you’ve seen them all. That’s probably due to the fact that so many of them were constructed in the 1970s. On the higher levels, T1-11 siding (plywood sheets with vertical grooves set 8 inches apart) is typical, and the upper floors are frequently cantilevered over the structural walls below.
Split-level homes might appear to be outdated. However, with a few simple changes, they may be transformed into one of the greatest fixer-upper possibilities.
Let’s look at some of the most important adjustments you may make to transform your split-level house into a modern masterpiece.
Split-level Home Remodel: Sliding
There are two sorts of surfaces used in modern house designs. The majority of the surface is smooth and clean. Stucco is the most frequent material used to accomplish this effect, and fortunately, stuccoing over many current external siding types, such as T1-11, is not difficult. Any split-level renovation project should pay special attention to how to smooth the outer walls.
A natural stone of some form is the second outside wall surface that may create a tremendous effect and is simply adapted. Consider the difference between absolutely smooth wall surfaces and the roughness of natural stone utilized periodically throughout Frank Lloyd Wright’s design, Fallingwater. A split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect.
Split-level Home Remodel: Windows
In split-level homes from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, single-hung windows with bottom panes that slide up to open the windows are typical. And many of them are Colonial in form, with grids dividing the window into 12 or more little “lites” rather than larger panes of glass.
Replacing outdated windows with more contemporary ones may drastically improve the appearance of your house. Consider casement windows, which have cranks and open by swinging outward. Horizontal sliders may also give a room a more contemporary feel. Fixed glass is another modern window option, however, it isn’t suitable for bedrooms that require emergency ventilation and escape.
Split-level Home Remodel: Roof Color and Material
The roof is an often-overlooked component of a home’s exterior, which is surprising considering the size of the roof’s apparent surface area and the cost of having a new one constructed. A roof is more than just a method to keep the rain out of the house; it’s a crucial design feature that may make or break an exterior renovation.
Some roof colors are just incompatible with a modern design – an old shingle roof is rarely clean and smooth. Dark hues complement shingle roofs, and the option of switching to a standing seam metal roof should be examined.
Consider removing the roof entirely if you want to go all-out contemporary. This may need a substantial structural revamp, but it’s something to think about. If you expect to stay in your house for a long time, consider even the most radical ideas.
Split-level Home Remodel: Exterior lighting
Adding some sparkle to the design of a typical split-level is a simple way to update the look. Light fixtures and house numbers are examples of exterior embellishments that may make a big impact. Lighting is often emphasized in modern home designs. There are a few terrific locations to start with a split-level home.
The walk leading to the front door: Because it is frequently slanted to reach the middle level, it may be a perfect location for some creative lighting.
The cantilevered second level’s overhang: These existing areas are ideal for recessed lighting that illuminates the wall beneath, which you may wish to cover in natural stone.
On either side of the main entrance: If your home has a forward-facing front door or a recessed foyer, adding attractive contemporary fixtures on either side can help to emphasize how friendly it is. Larger fittings are frequently preferable in this situation.
The carport: Consider a transparent door with internal illumination or certain wooden doors with accent lighting, like seen below.
Split-level Home Remodel: Garage doors
If your split-level has garage doors that face the street, they may be the simplest and most cost-effective way to update it. Garage doors are frequently overlooked. The initial design was most likely a steel door with minimal aesthetic appeal. They are usually rather unattractive.
However, things have changed, and new garage door designs may completely modify the appearance of your front entrance. Doors with glass-like, translucent flat panels are attractive during the day and at night, when internal light transforms them into enormous night lights, all while concealing the contents of your garage from prying eyes.
A wood-look garage door is another fantastic option for a modern home. If done correctly, this may look great with the natural stone elements of the wall discussed above.
These are only a few suggestions, and you may use them as a starting point for your design. When you consider the options and the improvements that may be made, you’ll find that a split-level design has more potential to look excellent in decades to come than virtually any other old-school style.
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