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 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!

There are a significant amount of split level renovations and remodels going on right now in our area and many seem to be jumping on the white exterior with black windows trend. Updated split level homes are on the rise!

Split level house plans are fairly typical with 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

#1 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. 

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!

Do Black Windows Cost More?

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.

#2 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.

Be sure to learn more about increasing the width and height of your front door and see how we completely changed the front door size.

We picked the Masonite Heritage Craftsman Series with sidelights and a 12″ inch transom.

The new larger front door allows so much more natural light into the home!

#3 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.

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. 

Take A Tour Of Our Split Level Interior & Exterior Remodel

You can see them all here by clicking each link –> (1) Split Level House Tour (before), (2) opening a load bearing wall between kitchen and living room , (3) Adding a beam to a load bearing wall , (4) Installing shiplap on vaulted ceiling , (5) Quality Wolf kitchen cabinet review and installation, (6) Why we love the vinyl plank flooring basement makeover, (7) why we picked prehung solid core interior doors by Masonite, (8) Split level exterior remodel before and after , (9) Split Level Kitchen Remodel before and after

Other simple updates to modernizing a split-level house exterior would be to paint the exterior, add faux stone on the lower portion of the front (the basement portion), consider a new roof color or even update garage doors!