How To Modernize a Split Level Home Exterior
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A split level house remodel, specifically the exterior, is one of the best investments you can make. Today I’m sharing our plan on how to modernize a split-level home exterior with white board and batten siding, black windows and enlarging the front door opening.
Modernizing a split level home exterior can be achieved in 4 simple steps and black windows are a key component.
Whether you are remodeling a split level (or bi-level exterior), ranch or any exterior, these exterior ideas that I am going to share can be used on any style home.
Split Level Exterior Remodel
The picture above shows the cute split level house with the old white windows and old siding. Wait until you see the exterior siding featuring white board and batten!
Split level house plans are fairly typical closed off rooms and a cookie cutter layout.
We decided to change the inside floor plan a bit and remove walls and ceilings to create an open concept.
Split-Level House Exterior Ideas
Update Windows
The first step to making this a modern split level house was to address the exterior siding and windows.
Exterior siding, windows, doors and a roofing material are the key components to to updating a 1960s or 1970’s home.
The existing windows were drafty and very inefficient.
The house was built in the late 1960’s and I’m not sure if they had ever been replaced.
Tips & Tricks
- Enlarge window rough openings to accomodate a bigger window
- Enlarge front door rough opening to accomodate a larger front door with sidelights and transom
Once the windows were removed, Jim and his crew enlarged the window openings with a sawzall to increase the height to accommodate the new black windows.
The correct nails for installing a window will depend on your vinyl frame size.
We used 1 1/2 inch framing nails.
The new window frames were all lined with black weather tape to help keep moisture out.
The black window and door tape is so sticky!
Update Front Door
One of the biggest focal points of any home is the front door.
We enlarged the front door width and height to accomodate a larger front door with a transom and sidelights.
If your front door is outdated and narrow, see how we increased the width and height of the front door.
The new front door that we picked was the Masonite Heritage Craftsman Series with sidelights and a 12″ inch transom.
Update Siding & Roofing
Here is our modern split level exterior with the new white board and batten siding and black windows.
We installed James Hardi board and batten spacing the batten pieces 12″ apart. Learn more about the siding by clicking this post, split level exterior makeover before and after.
New exterior paint or vinyl siding will modernize and update any home. Be sure to coordinate trim, windows and exterior colors with your front door color.
We are planning to do the same siding at the “ranch house” remodel but with white windows.
Additional Exterior Ideas
If horizontal or vertical board and batten isn’t your thing, consider materials such as stone or cedar clapboard.
- Combine cedar clapboard, stone, architectural panels, and stucco to add depth and interest.
- Use contrasting materials to create a modern look with texture and dimension
- Swap horizontal siding with vertical lapboard for a fresh appearance.
- Consider using thinner siding made from architectural panels to add dimension
- Add modern touches by incorporating materials like corrugated metal, rusted metal, or colorful metal art.
- Update window frames, shutters, and add decorative art pieces for a contemporary edge
This approach not only modernizes the exterior but also enhances the property’s curb appeal and distinctiveness in the neighborhood.
Split Level Exterior Before & After
Our split level exterior makeover featuring a black and white color scheme helped us achieve the modern farmhouse design.
Here is the split house before we removed the old siding.
The Modern Split-level with black windows, a larger front door, white siding and new roof is absolutely beautiful!
Click through this post, “best split level exterior remodel before and after” to see the final reveal plus the 2 car “barn style” garage that Jim built on the property.
Do Black Windows Cost More Than White?
We decided to go with Simonton vinyl black windows and each window was about $125 more than a typical standard white window.
The overall cost increase was about $1000 so in the end, that’s not a lot considering the modern farmhouse look we are going for.
We have also used the (affiliate link) Jeldwen black windows as well but they are more expensive than the Simonton. Depending on your budget, both are great options.
Jim was very diligent about making sure each window was level before completely nailing it to the window frame.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the windows were much smaller so if enlarging the window size fits in your budget, do it!
There was a bit of extra work due to enlarging the existing window opening but in the end, the larger sized windows will add a lot of curb appeal and architectural interest to the front of the house.
You can see above the black windows are installed and the front door opening as also been cut out to fit the new front door.
Looking to see all of the home remodeling projects we did in this split level home? See them in order below.
Split Level Home Renovation Series
- Split level home remodeling project – how it all started and the home before we tore it apart
- Small 5×8 bathroom remodel with cost and how we saved money by keeping the same layout
- Kitchen demo + adding a load bearing beam between the living room, dining room and kitchen
- Split level kitchen renovation before and after (you will not even recognize it!)
- Kitchen cabinet review at the split level home and how we packed storage features into the new space
- Installing shiplap on the new vaulted ceiling in the kitchen and living room at the split level
- Opening up a load bearing wall in the kitchen
- Split level entry way foyer makeover (before and after)
- How to increase front door width and height – front door makeover
- Installing solid core interior doors for a modern look
- Split-level house exterior makeover before and after
- Why we picked black windows with white interior
- How to modernize a split level home exterior
- Finished basement vinyl floor plank installation
- Split level front door ideas
- BONUS – See another split level home that sold 80K over asking price
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
I cannot wait for the final results. It is looking great!
Thank you Jane! It’s coming along nicely 🙂
Gonna be beautiful! I love the black windows. Can’t wait to see the final results!
I’m curious will you be adding a front porch onto your home. We have a split level and I want to add a porch, but hard to find pictures so maybe it’s hard to add one?
Hi, no we won’t be adding a front porch – just a small overhang over the front door.
We added a front portico to our split-entry last year. We ended up bumping out the entryway 3ft so we could also add a small closet just inside the front door. In conjunction with removing the closet at the top of the stairs, it has transformed both the look outside and inside the home.
It’s amazing what a front portico adds for curb appeal right? You must love the change in your home!! 🙂
can you send me pics? if love to do something similar to our split level. thanks, Judy Brown, Colorado
Can you please share a link to a picture of the completed project? I think you mentioned adding white board and batten siding. I can’t seem to find link. Thanks!
Hi Shannon! The post is coming soon …. we haven’t shared on the blog yet.
Beautiful as always!
Looks fantastic! I was looking for pics on Pinterest to update our split level exterior with some type of awning or portico. I discovered your blog. Your front portico is spot on what I want. We have white one split level as well, built in early 90s. Big bays on both sides on uppers, lowers and sides is really the only thing different! Anyway just here to give a shout out for a classy job on your remodel, you nailed it!
Thanks so much! We are really happy with how it came out 🙂
Love the designs. My wife and I were thinking of doing something similar with our home. Do you have a list of cost breakdowns or overall cost? We are trying to figure out our budget for our project.
We don’t have an entire house breakdown but you can explore the dedicated split level page where we do break down bathroom cost ect. https://www.fourgenerationsoneroof.com/category/split-level-house-renovation/
Can you share the overall cost to do just the house portion of the exterior remodel?
where I live that style of house is slit foyer and split level is a different style. Nice changes
sorry meant split foyer but couldn’t edit
Hi, What size windows (height & width) did you install? Thank you looks amazing
Jessica, My husband and I just bought a split level. Can you give me the dimensions of the exterior of your home. Ours is 24 feet by 40 feet. Just trying to get a handle on the budget.
Hi, the house is 40×25 🙂