Quick Overview
Tim and Cheryl originally entered a Joyce home improvement giveaway while thinking about adding a sunroom. When they won, however, they chose to address a more immediate concern: the aging wood siding on their ranch home.
Their exterior update included horizontal 5-inch Dutch lap vinyl siding in Brownstone, contrasting fascia, white window and door trim, and new exterior vents. The new design replaced the home’s dated vertical wood siding with a lower-maintenance exterior and a more updated appearance.
This project shows how siding profile, direction, color, trim, and small finishing details can work together to change a home’s curb appeal.
From a Sunroom Dream to a Practical Exterior Update
Tim first encountered Joyce Factory Direct at an outdoor recreational vehicle show. A displayed sunroom reminded him of the room at his mother’s home and the memories his family had made there.
He entered a $10,000 home improvement giveaway and later scheduled an in-home estimate. Months passed before Joyce called with unexpected news: Tim and Cheryl had won.
Cheryl initially thought the call could not be real. After verifying it with Joyce, the couple began considering how to use their winnings.
A sunroom was still appealing, but their home had a more pressing need. The wood siding was deteriorating, and Tim had recently told Cheryl that it would need to be replaced.
They chose the practical project and moved forward with new vinyl siding.
What Was Wrong With the Existing Siding?
The home originally had vertical wood siding. Although wood can give a house natural character, it also requires ongoing care as it ages.
For Tim and Cheryl, replacing the worn exterior created an opportunity to solve two concerns at once:
- Reduce the upkeep associated with their old wood siding
- Give their ranch home a more current exterior design
Instead of trying to recreate the same look, they chose a different siding direction, profile, and color scheme.
How Did the New Siding Improve the Home’s Curb Appeal?
Horizontal siding changed the home’s proportions
The original siding ran vertically. Tim and Cheryl replaced it with horizontal siding, which helped visually lengthen the ranch-style home.
This is an important exterior-design lesson: siding direction can affect how homeowners perceive a house. Horizontal lines can emphasize width, while vertical accents can draw the eye upward.
A wider profile added dimension
The homeowners selected a Royal Crest 5-inch Dutch lap profile.
The wider profile and contoured shape created more noticeable shadow lines than the previous flat wood exterior. That added depth and helped the siding feel like a deliberate design update rather than a simple material replacement.
The color palette connected old and new features
Tim selected Brownstone as the main siding color and Forrest as an accent for the fascia. The installation team wrapped the entry door and windows in white to coordinate with the existing window frames.
The roof and gutters had recently been replaced, so the project reused the existing gutters and shutters. New gable vents and a dryer vent were also installed to complete the updated exterior.
Tim later found a coordinating Sherwin-Williams paint color and painted the front of the detached garage. That helped the separate structure feel more connected to the main home.
Project Details at a Glance
| Project element | Homeowner’s selection |
|---|---|
| Existing exterior | Vertical wood siding |
| New siding orientation | Horizontal |
| Siding profile | 5-inch Dutch lap |
| Main siding color | Brownstone |
| Fascia accent | Forrest |
| Window and door trim | White |
| Additional components | Gable vents and dryer vent |
| Reused components | Existing gutters and shutters |
| Documented installation time | Three days |
Why Did the Design Work Well on a Ranch Home?
Ranch homes are typically recognized for their long, low profiles. Exterior choices that reinforce those proportions can make the architecture feel more intentional.
In this project, several details worked together:
- The horizontal siding emphasized the home’s width.
- The 5-inch profile created stronger visual lines.
- Brownstone provided a warm primary color.
- Contrasting fascia defined the roofline.
- White trim connected the siding to the windows and entry.
- Matching paint helped coordinate the detached garage.
No single choice created the full transformation. The finished result came from treating the siding, trim, vents, roof, gutters, windows, entry, and garage as parts of one exterior color plan.
What Was the Installation Experience Like?
According to the original project story, the siding crew completed the work in three days.
Tim and Cheryl described the crew as efficient, clean, hardworking, and accommodating. The installers also helped with smaller exterior details, including the installation of new light fixtures the homeowners had purchased.
That first-hand account is one of the most valuable parts of this project. A siding installation affects more than the wall surface. Careful attention around doors, windows, vents, lights, trim, gutters, and other exterior components helps create a more complete result.
Related Article: Vinyl Siding in CLE
What Can Homeowners Learn From This Siding Project?
Start with the whole exterior
Do not select a siding color in isolation. Compare it with the roof, gutters, window frames, doors, masonry, shutters, garage, landscaping, and permanent exterior features.
Consider profile as well as color
Homeowners often focus first on color, but the profile and texture also affect the final appearance. Wider profiles, Dutch lap contours, traditional lap siding, and shake-style accents produce different shadow lines and architectural effects.
Joyce currently offers several vinyl siding profiles and color categories, including neutral, earth-tone, and bolder choices. Homeowners can compare these options during the design process.
Use trim to create a finished look
Trim can either blend with the siding or provide contrast. In this project, white around the windows and entry helped connect the new siding with existing features.
Soffit, fascia, corner details, vents, and window wrapping should be considered during the initial design—not treated as last-minute decisions.
Think about nearby structures
A detached garage, shed, porch, or addition does not always need exactly the same material. However, repeating a color or trim detail can help the property feel coordinated.
Review the project scope carefully
Tim and Cheryl reused some recently replaced components while updating other exterior pieces. Homeowners planning a siding project should confirm what the proposal includes, such as:
- Removal or preparation of the existing exterior
- House wrap or insulation components
- Soffit and fascia
- Window and door wrapping
- Corner posts and trim
- Gable and dryer vents
- Light fixtures and utility penetrations
- Gutters and downspouts
- Cleanup and disposal
The exact scope will depend on the home and the signed project agreement.
Can New Vinyl Siding Reduce Exterior Maintenance?
Vinyl siding is often chosen by homeowners who want to reduce scraping, painting, and repeated touch-ups associated with some older exteriors.
Routine care is still necessary. Joyce recommends gentle cleaning with mild soap and a soft brush or cloth, along with periodic checks for loose or damaged panels. Its current guidance advises against harsh chemicals and aggressive power washing that could damage the surface.
Related Article: Vinyl Siding Improving Curb Appeal
What Vinyl Siding Options Does Joyce Offer?
Joyce Windows, Sunrooms & Baths offers vinyl siding intended to improve curb appeal while providing durable exterior protection. Available design choices include multiple horizontal profiles, color families, coordinating soffit and trim, and accent options.
Joyce currently offers siding projects in the Cleveland-area market only. Homeowners outside that service area should confirm product availability before planning a consultation.
Related Article: Vinyl Siding Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Can horizontal siding make a ranch home look wider?
Horizontal lines can visually emphasize a ranch home’s width. The overall effect also depends on the siding profile, trim, colors, roofline, windows, and other architectural features.
What siding colors work well with white windows?
White windows can coordinate with many neutral, earth-tone, and bold siding colors. Repeating white around window trim, doors, corners, or fascia can help create a consistent exterior palette.
Do I need to replace my gutters during a siding project?
Not always. Tim and Cheryl reused their existing gutters because those components had recently been replaced. Whether gutters can remain depends on their condition, placement, and the siding installation plan.
Does Joyce repair small sections of damaged siding?
Joyce’s current siding FAQ states that the company completes full-scale siding replacements rather than small patch repairs.
Can I preview siding colors on my home?
Joyce states that homeowners can use its visualizer to preview different siding colors on an image of their home.
Where does Joyce install vinyl siding?
Joyce currently advertises vinyl siding installation in its Cleveland-area market.
A Thoughtful Exterior Plan Can Make a Big Difference
Tim and Cheryl’s project began with an unexpected giveaway win, but the lasting value of their story is in the design decisions they made afterward.
They replaced an aging wood exterior, changed the siding direction, selected a profile that added depth, coordinated new and existing features, and extended the color plan to their detached garage.
Their experience shows that improving curb appeal is not simply a matter of choosing a new siding color. The strongest exterior transformations consider the complete home.
Joyce Windows, Sunrooms & Baths helps Cleveland-area homeowners explore vinyl siding profiles, colors, soffit, trim, and other exterior details through a personalized design consultation.
Ready to explore a new exterior for your Cleveland-area home?
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