I am planning to enclose a covered entry but I dont't know how I'm going to finish the exterior. I have attached pics for reference. The pic shows the covered entry. To the left and right are both additions. Laundry room on the left and bedroom on the right. My plan is to eiminate the laundry wall and door and the entry wall and door and move the entry door flush with the other additions. My question is what would be the best way to finish the exterior wall once it's framed? My first thought was to use clapboard like the rest of the house. But I think that would involve removal of existing clapboard to the windows on either side and installing all new. Another option would be filling in with clapboard on either side of the new door but I'm not thrilled with two vertical seams. I also wondered if filling in with brick on either side would be a good option? It would cost more, I would have to contract it but I wouldn't have to mess with siding. What would you do? The covered entry is nice but I'm tired of going outside in the winter to go back inside to do laundry. So it is going away one way or another. Any thoughts on finishing the exterior or suggestions or ideas on the overall project are greatly appreciated. upload of pics failed. Here is a link where you can view them [url]https://www.flickr.com/photos/141425368@N06/shares/20362V[/url]

Hi all, We are building a house, and one of the features I am currently trying to tackle is the cornice trim and gable returns. I don't like the idea of wood trim due to maintenance concerns but I also worry about the design limitations of aluminum. PVC looks like a possible option, but my builder didn't like the way it expands and contracts according to the temperatures. We live in KY, so summers will get into the 90's and winters can get to 0. In other words, there will be lots of opportunity for expansion/contraction. Just wondered if anyone has used it and had good results.