When it comes to home improvements, sometimes it’s what’s on the outside that counts.
However, boosting your home’s curb appeal through exterior renovations doesn’t have to break the bank. There are a number of home exterior makeovers that look great, boost home value but don’t carry a big price tag.
Here are a few ideas for refacing your house exterior:
New siding. Homes with vinyl siding can get tired-looking over time, due to discolouration from weather, or cracks and splits. While you can powerwash siding to try and bring back of its original shine, replacing it isn’t as expensive as you might think.
There’s another reason to upgrade your siding – energy efficiency. While it’s mostly thought of as cosmetic, siding carries different R-values (the scale used for thermal resistance). Even better, look for siding that is foam insulated to increase the efficiency of your home by helping to prevent heat loss. It’s more expensive than standard siding, but could save you money in the long run on energy bills.
Landscaping. The property around your home impacts curb appeal as much as the home itself in many cases. Imagine a nice home surrounded by weeds and uncut grass – doesn’t really do the home justice, does it?
As part of your exterior renovations plan, consider bringing in an experienced landscaper to put finishing touches on your home exterior makeovers. Adding a nice front/rear garden, as well as some hardscaping features such as patio steps or retaining walls can have a big visual impact. Don’t put in too many plants; remember, you have to maintain them. Simple is elegant, and it works.
Exterior painting. Seems like a simple one, but it sometimes can get overlooked. If your home has paint peeling or flaking off the exterior, whether it’s on wood paneling or a porch, then a fresh coat of paint should do the trick. Just make sure you use the appropriate paint to handle the outdoor elements, and don’t be afraid to experiment a little with the current exterior renovation colour trends.
Windows and doors. These are both affordable items that can aid in refacing house exteriors, and they not only look great with many options (bay windows, awnings, decorative glass entrance doors), they can also dramatically improve the efficiency of your home. You may not realize how much heat you’re losing through old window frames or gaps in doors – also, few things change the look of home so easily and affordably as a new or updated front door!
Ask a contractor that has experience in exterior renovations how to create the biggest impact for the most affordable price.
