Many may say that a home’s exterior is less important than its interior. But in reality, it’s just as important. In fact, an unattractive exterior can be enough to deter potential buyers from even entering your home. While it might seem easier to focus on the inside of your house, it’s more rewarding when you spruce up both sides at once.
Here are a few tips for ensuring that your home’s exterior looks as good as the interior:
Exterior Paint
According to the National Association of Realtors, 78% of agents recommend improving curb appeal to home sellers. To freshen up the exterior of your home, choose a paint color that complements your house’s architectural style and complexion. For example, if your house features stucco walls and is painted in shades of brown or beige, you might choose a neutral shade like white or gray.
If your home exterior is bare bricks, try painting it in bright colors like blue or yellow instead of brown or muddy. Moreover, ensure that the paint you choose is designed for the exterior with longevity and durability. Specialized exterior paints are designed to withstand harsh weather elements like sunlight, rain, hail, and more.
Roofing Replacement
You may be familiar with the phrase “a stitch in time saves nine,” which is a saying that means it’s better to fix something before it becomes bigger and more expensive. It can apply to roofing replacement.
Your home’s roofing is one of the essential parts of your house, so it’s worth investing in quality materials and professional installation by an experienced contractor. According to Angi, roof replacement costs $8,994, with high-end replacement costing up to $45,000 for large roofs.
Roofs should be replaced every 10-20 years depending on material type, pitch, age, and exposure location. The longer you wait to replace your existing roofing materials, the higher chance you’ll need to replace it sooner rather than later due to wear or damage caused by weather conditions like rain or snow melting on top of it over time.
Roof Installation
Roof installation is a big job, and it’s not something you should do yourself. A professional residential roofing contractor will first assess the condition of your existing roof, then help you choose the best material for your home.
Many types of roofing materials can be used to keep the rain out, including asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and concrete tiles. If you live in an area prone to hail storms or hurricanes, it will also be important to ensure that your new roof has sufficient wind resistance built into its design.
Before hiring any contractor for this job, make sure they are licensed and insured by calling your state’s Department of Labor or Occupational Safety & Health Administration if necessary. Also, ask for references from previous customers who chose them for similar work in their homes.
Walkways, Driveways, and Patios
While busy sprucing up the exterior of your home, remember to pay attention to your walkways and driveways. A nice, flat concrete or stone driveway can add value to a home and make it look more expensive than it is. The same goes for patios. They should be level and free of cracks or holes in order to increase the value of your property.
Regarding bases, most materials work well when paving a driveway or patio. But concrete is often considered the best option due to its durability and low maintenance cost. Just remember that because different types of concrete have different blends, some may cost more than others.
Landscaping and Gardening
Landscaping is a great way to add curb appeal to your home. It can include trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You can hire a professional landscaper or do it yourself if you have the time and energy. If you choose to do it yourself, start off with one thing at a time so as not to overwhelm yourself before moving on to another item in your yard.
If you are starting late in the season, try adding fresh mulch around existing beds or pathways leading up to the front door of your home. It will give an immediate boost of color but also help with any weeds growing through cracks between tiles on patios since they won’t grow through thick layers of mulch, which would eventually allow them access below ground level again after winter months pass by without any sunlight reaching those areas anymore.
Lighting
As per Zippia, there are 140 million homes across the US, and you need to stand out to grab attention. Lighting is the first thing people notice when they approach your home. Lighting is an excellent place to start if you want to spruce up your exterior.
You can use lighting to enhance the look of your home and create moods that set the tone for an evening out on the porch or in your living room. You can also use it to highlight architectural features, add security and safety as well as offer additional functionality, such as motion sensors that turn lights on when you enter a room or off when no one’s around.
We hope these tips have been helpful. Remember, the key to a successful exterior makeover is to plan, do your research, and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
