what a great looking house and garden... to increase the outdoor living area build up a retaining wall from the bottom of the steps (or as far forward and wide as possible) and high enough to include a fence for a new terrace or deck at the front and wrapped around the side of the house with a flat pergola (using the same round columns?) across the front to echo the line of the gutter and porch, extend the existing gabled porch to the front of the new retaining wall with entry from the driveway side and add more shrubs to fill up the garden across the front

The house is hot from lack of insulation, lack of ventilation, shading, etc. rather than the dark colour of the roof.

Yes, dark colours get hotter but it's not so much that it'll add 10° degree's (for example) to internal room's. A tile roof will stay hotter (and colder) longer than a metal roof due to a tile roof's thermal mass.

Houses with a white roof get just as hot.

Nevertheless, all your place need's is a coat of paint. I'd choose something that the other dwelling's are using in your area, but not cream.....It's been done to death a few years ago......

Hi BJ- Lesley and MB Design have good points- your house is a timeless classic, all it needs is a paint to update it (and even that looks like it could wait). If it is that hot- I'd suggest putting your cash into fixing that. The roof looks in great condition and painting it a lighter colour has been proven to be ineffective- perhaps get a roof cavity vacuum/suck out and re-insulate? Whirly birds to get the heat out? New thicker glass in the windows? Heat blocking window treatments/blinds internally?Your options are limitless, depends on your budget.

depending on which way the windows face anything that keeps sun off the windows will help cool inside..downstairs outdoor living areas with shade cloth for roof and walls and upstairs external blinds and, before you paint the roof, get a quote for installing Colorbond Steel with updated insulation..great invetsment whatever the climate

It is a great house BJP.

If you were looking to modernise the first two things I would suggest are updating the landscaping and the portico over the front entry. The portico is currently a very low pitched gable. Though it is a common feature in this style of house, they are often steeper pitched and have more height. I would look to make it look a little 'meatier' by bulking up the posts/roof and creating a much stronger entry. Add a splash of paint on top and it'll make quite a difference.

Good Luck whichever path you take,

Matt.

Insulation is measured by R-value. It may be that the loose fill you have isn't thick enough? I'd be aiming for an R-5, which would mean approx. 5 inches of loose fill depending on what sort you have (covering beams). You can top it up, or lay batts/roof blanket over the top.

This type of build is notoriously hot upstairs in Summer. It may be that your walls are not insulated at all either :-(

In terms of changing the 'look'....painting it a cool colour can be calming and cooling, if only from a psychological perspective!!. Look at light greys and blues. With the roof colour and window frames- you can almost do any colour you like!