DIY Network

Selections and Schedules: Brick Selections From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-104

Figure A

One of the biggest decisions the Obergs will make is the brick selection. "Certainly the most permanent," Brad said.

• It's important to take along the blueprint (figure A) of the house when picking brick. Pamela F. Cook, President of PF Cook Brick Co., Inc. says, "We can see how much brick is going on the house, and we can also see if there are other materials going to be used with the brick." The blueprint really helps in guiding the homeowners in the correct direction.

• "Brick was one of the actual things that Lynn and I were farthest apart on ? on color," Brad said. "We both agreed we didn't want red brick. I was thinking we'd go darker brown or black or more English Manor house rustic." But Lynn didn't agree! She was thinking white, pink, yellow.
  

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• After the couple agree on a color, Cook ask for them to find several samples in that particular color range, and she compares them with the couple by bringing the samples over to a wall. Basically this is a process of elimination.

• The Obergs chose a light brown brick with gold highlights and moderate texture. And when the bricks were laid, a light tan mortar was utilized to give a "continuous" look
  (figure B).

• The homeowners also chose a water-table stone that runs along the top of the foundation and some synthetic stone as an accent on the front porch (figure C), but unfortunately, the water-table stone that the Lynn and Brad chose would not be ready in time, so the couple had to return to the brick store to select another one (figure D).

  Note: If the couple weren't willing to be flexible with their choice, the end date could have been moved back as much as six weeks. Time they neither want to lose nor pay for!

  Figure B

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• When picking out the brick, it's also time to consider the shingles in order to make a good match. "We wanted to pick a color that was rich but not so dominate that you would only look at the shingles," Brad said. "The shingles were our biggest problem," Lynn added, "because the places that we went didn't have a lot of selection of the colors that were available from the manufacturer." Shopping via the Internet wasn't much help in this process either because the couple wasn't sure if they were looking at the exact color. "It's kind of a crapshoot in a sense," Lynn said.

• When the shingles did arrive on site, everyone was pleased. They chose a dimensional, thick, 40-year warranty shingle that worked beautifully (figure E). The shingle also had the added feature of a shadow line, which means when you stand on the street and look up at the shingles, it gives the illusion of added thickness and shadow.

• Another exterior selections were the window colors and grilles, often called "muttons." The Obergs weren't enthralled with the muttons so after doing some extra research, they decided to go with another option: mix and match custom window grilles with standard windows (figure F -- window on left and blueprint on right). This clever approach, which most homeowners don't realize is an option, couldn't have worked out better.

With most of the exterior selections made, it's time to move to the interior -- and in the next segment find out how Lynn used collage boards to help the couple with many of their choices.

RESOURCES :

Bricks
PF Cook Brick Co., Inc.
202 Commerce Park Dr.
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-772-5999
Fax: 724-772-6677
E-mail: PFCookBrick@Hotmail.com

Cabinets
Manor House Kitchens
Website: www.manorhousekitchens.com

Lighting
Sterling Lite, Inc.
Website: www.sterlinglite.com

Tile
Best Tile Distributors, Inc.
Website: www.besttile.com

Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

Bathroom Fixtures and Accessories
Nicklas Supply, Inc./Splash
Website: www.wit-co.com
or www.nicklassupply.com

Windows and Doors
Andersen Windows
Website: www.andersenwindows.com

Carpeting
Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Henry (Hank) Swierczynski
President
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Allen Kline
Senior Kitchen Designer
Manor House Kitchens
See contact information above under Resources

Pamela F. Cook
President
PF Cook Brick Co., Inc.
202 Commerce Park Dr.
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-772-5999
Fax: 724-772-6677
E-mail: PFCookBrick@Hotmail.com

Todd Kline
Installer
Manor House Kitchens