Not only are exterior upgrades a terrific way to enhance a property’s curb appeal, but these improvements often have functional benefits. The right exterior home repairs and renovations can prevent problems and improve your quality of life. If you’re interested in making some upgrades to your home, these projects are all worth considering.
Clean Up Your Driveway
It’s normal for driveways to show signs of wear and tear. UV rays, rain, and the weight of cars can all put stress on your driveway. Small cracks can quickly spread, making it difficult to park your car. Driveway damage is also an eyesore, so if there are issues with your driveway, you’ll want to make exterior home repairs as soon as possible.
With the help of paving contractors, you can fix issues with your driveway and make it look new again. If your driveway is in terrible shape, you may need to replace it, but there are other options you can explore, including resealing and resurfacing. You can even stain a concrete driveway for a more distinctive look!
After professionals have repaired any cracks or broken pavers, you can look into other improvements. Adding a border to your driveway can define the space, and upgrades like paver driveways are also appealing. Ensure that your driveway is both functional and attractive by making practical upgrades.
Refresh Your Roof
Your roof significantly impacts the appearance of your home’s exterior, so you’ll want to make sure it looks fantastic. If you have an older roof, it’s wise to have it inspected by a roofing contractor. Roofers can look for signs of damage and help you repair your roof before the problems get any worse.
Besides exterior home repairs, you may want to make a few cosmetic improvements to your roof. Painting your roof can give it a fresh new look and make any home stand out. Some types of paint can damage shingles, but professional painters can help you find a paint color that will complement your roof perfectly.
If you need to replace your roof completely, use roofing materials with visual appeal. Wood shakes and shingles are beautiful materials that look amazing on most roofs. If you want your roof to stand out, consider installing some sort of metal roof, like copper or zinc roofing. Choose a durable roofing material that also has plenty of aesthetic appeal.
Install New Windows
While installing new windows will improve how your home looks on the outside, they’ll also allow you to enjoy a wide range of benefits indoors. Older windows are often easy to break and have the potential to be a safety hazard. New windows are sturdy, easy to open, and often have useful security features. Windows with security sensors or state-of-the-art locks are an excellent way to ensure home security.
If you have problems with your windows and have been considering exterior home repairs, you should also remember that your new windows could save you money. New windows can improve your home’s insulation, lowering utility bills. Vinyl and fiberglass windows are excellent options if you’re hoping to make your home more energy efficient, but there are other windows worth considering as well. Many newer windows are easy to clean, but you can always outsource this chore to window cleaning services!
New windows are also an effective way to keep out pests! During installation, you can seal off the windows with caulking, making it more difficult for insects and other pests to enter your home from the outside. If you have an exterminator check your home after installing new windows, you can ensure that your home stays pest-free! You’ll be able to keep air from escaping your home, and you can prevent pests from finding a way inside.
Put In Solar Panels
Installing solar panels is a way to lower your carbon footprint while also reducing your energy bills. Since solar panels don’t require water to obtain energy, switching to solar will also reduce your water consumption. Your solar panels will provide power during outages, making them a great option if you live in an area where blackouts are common.
While switching to solar power is often costly, tax credits make it easy to cover the initial expenses. Many solar companies also offer payment plants. Since solar power can save you money every month, you can recoup all the money you spend on your panels. In some states, you can even earn solar energy credits that you can claim when filing your taxes!
In the past, solar panels could have a negative effect on a property’s appearance, but that’s no longer the case today. Since modern solar panels are more efficient than the panels of the past, homeowners can get the power they need from a smaller number of panels. Modern solar panels also have a sleek appearance, and you may discover that they positively impact the look of your home.
Improve Your Outdoor Living Space
Making an addition to a home is a difficult and costly process, but you can make any property feel larger by creating a spacious and functional backyard living space. Spaces for outdoor entertainment, like decks and patios, are already a significant asset to homes, but you can make your backyard even better by adding more homey elements.
Outdoor kitchens are gaining popularity, especially in locations with milder climates. Instead of spending time cooped up in the kitchen, families can enjoy meals in their backyard. In addition to grills and barbeques, many homeowners are adding features like outdoor pizza ovens. Some backyard kitchens even have refrigerators and sinks!
If your home has outdoor living space you’re not using, you may want to make some home exterior repairs or renovations. Talk to patio paving companies about installing a new patio or making improvements to your current patio. Consider restaining and releasing your backyard deck. Once you’ve made some upgrades to your deck, visit an outdoor furniture store and pick up everything you need to create an inviting and comfortable space.
You can enjoy your backyard from day to night if you install some outdoor lighting! Ambient lighting is a fantastic addition to any patio. If you want to minimize your utility costs, look into energy-efficient solutions, like solar lights or lights that only turn on when motion is detected.
Upgrade Your Garage Door
If people can see your garage from the curb, you’ll want to ensure that your garage door is in great shape. Look into exterior home repairs if your door is visibly dented or damaged. If you have an older garage, and your current door has seen better days, you may even want to look at options for replacement.
Many new garage doors have features that will make your home stand out! Durable materials, like fiberglass and steel, are used when making these doors, so your new door will remain in excellent condition for many years. You can even add a personal touch to your door by adding features like window inserts or glass panels.
If you’re not ready to replace your door just yet, look into other options that can improve the look of your garage, like repainting! A fresh coat of paint is a fantastic way to revitalize a dingy-looking garage. You can even add accent features or magnetic windows to add visual interest to your garage door.
Work on Your Landscaping
People often estimate the impact landscaping can have on a home. According to BobVila.com, appealing landscaping features can boost the value of a home by as much as 20%! Ideally, your landscape should complement your home’s exterior and highlight some of its most appealing features.
You don’t need to add a sprawling garden to your front yard, but making a few landscaping improvements is wise. When making exterior home repairs, don’t forget to clear away any plants, trees, or bushes blocking your view. It’s also wise to clear away plants that are dead or dying.
Professional landscapers can help you maintain your yard, but if you’d prefer to handle things yourself, ensure your lawn is easy to care for. Install a sprinkler system that will water your lawn automatically. Consider adding low-maintenance features to your front yard, like mulch or a rock garden.
At first, improving your landscaping might feel like an overwhelming project, but you can make minor enhancements over time. Focus on keeping your lawn green and healthy. Once you have that figured out, you can move on to other improvements, like colorful flowers or a brand-new tree. Before you know it, you’ll have landscaping that’s worth showing off.
Revitalize Your Home With Siding
You can refresh a home by repainting its exterior, but if your property needs a lot of work, consider new siding. Your house may look like it needs exterior home repairs, but it’ll look brand new after you install siding! Siding can instantly transform any home, giving it a more attractive exterior.
Not only can siding have a transformative effect on a home, but it’s also a way to make a property more energy efficient. It’s common to add a house wrap or other forms of insulation when installing new siding. Contractors can even seal off air leaks around your home, helping you maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.
Replacing your siding can also help you spot problems with your home that require your attention. Serious problems, like mold or rot, could be hiding beneath your old siding. When you take that old siding down, you’ll have a chance to fix any problems before you put your new siding up.
Upgrade Your Door
One of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance a home is to change the front door. If you’re looking into exterior home repairs and your current front door is in bad shape, you may want to install a brand-new door. There are designer doors on the market today that are both sturdy and stunning. Installing a door like this could significantly improve the look of your home.
Several factors are worth considering when choosing a new door, including the hanging design and the door’s materials. Some modern doors have hidden hinges that are virtually invisible. You can order a new door in a sturdy material, and you can apply a coating or finish that will keep your door looking its best for years!
If your current door is in good condition, you can refresh its appearance by applying a new coat of paint. You may want to look at brighter paint colors. A bright and vibrant shade of paint can add a little pop of color to the house. When you have guests coming over, just tell them the color of your door! They’ll spot your property right away.
Add Appealing Accents
While renovation projects can significantly impact your home, one of the best ways to add visual appeal to a property is to focus on more minor details. Try installing window boxes and filling them with beautiful flowers, or use wall art to fill empty spaces. If your mailbox is looking worse for wear, consider replacing it with something new.
Smaller accents can have a big impact, but if you’re looking for a more dramatic change, there are other ways to enhance your home’s exterior. Custom home builders can assist you with exterior home repairs and other home improvement projects. You could add molding to your home, put in a new front porch, or even add large columns!
Start paying close attention to other properties you find appealing. Once you give these homes a closer look, you may discover that minor details are making the houses stand out. Use these properties as a source of inspiration and add a few appealing accents to your home.
Exterior home repairs and renovations are an excellent way to improve your home’s appearance, but these upgrades have benefits far beyond that. Once you start improving your home, you’ll want to spend time there. Eventually, your home will feel like an oasis. You’ll want to spend all your free time relaxing at home!
