The owners of a 1970s house in Arlington with a run-down, unattractive exterior contacted architect Matthew Guenther and builder David Merrill to improve its curb appeal. The exterior renovation also addressed problems with accessibility to visitors via the front entry.
| Then | Now |
| The house was clad in vertical plywood siding that looked dingy and dated. | HardiePlank lap siding and HardiePlank panels clad the house, making it both attractive and environmentally friendly. |
| A combination shed and carport created an unsightly structure on one side of the house. An unused balcony added nothing to the overall look. | An oversized one-car garage replaced the carport; opaque glass garage-door windows framed in metal convey a modern feel. |
| The front door was not visible from the street and was only accessible through the carport. | The roofline was extended to create an overhang. Beneath it, an L-shaped porch lined with pillars enhances the home's appearance. The porch connects the driveway to the home's entry, now front and center. |
Renovation Architecture: Matthew G. Guenther, AIA, GC/a Architecture, Arlington, Virginia. Builder: David Merrill, Merrill Contracting & Remodeling, Inc., Arlington, Virginia.
