Want to improve your home’s exterior but don’t know where to get started? Not sure how much is involved in the various types of exterior projects? We can help.
Your yard and house exterior are important not only for you to enjoy your home but also to ensure your home stays in good condition. A lot of new homeowners ignore the exterior of the home, focusing on the interior instead. It’s usually seems easier to update the interior of a house with paint or decor. But not all exterior projects involve renting a bobcat.
With that being said, here are a few ways you can get it done.
Add some exterior lighting.
Exterior lighting is a great way to change the look and improve your home’s exterior. Beyond just helping you safely navigate at night, it also can add ambiance, visual texture, and style. The basics of a lighting plan to improve your home’s exterior involve a light next to the entryways. After the entryway, consider path lighting, string lights around trees, add solar lightings to deck railings and stairs, a spotlight on a special tree, and security lights that also double as cameras.
Maintain or replace windows and doors.
While we want our windows and doors to last for as long as possible, they won’t last forever. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of how long you’ve had both the windows and doors on your property. Windows will typically last 25 years or more depending on quality as well as general wear and tear. It’s important to check them annually for drafts or anything that’s out of alignment. And you may need to recaulk your windows and replace any weatherstripping on your windows every 5 to 10 years.
Replacement windows are easy enough to get but may take a little time to install, especially if doing multiple windows throughout the home. Doors will last around 15 to 20 years. You may need to paint your exterior doors every 5 or 10 years, upgrade to a smart lock, and add new weatherstripping. Maintaining your windows and doors helps keep your home secure as well as looking the part from the outside.
Consider fencing for safety and security
Fencing can be important when it comes to the safety and security of your outdoor space, especially if you’ve got little ones and dogs running about outdoors. With fencing, it’s important to consider what type of fencing you need, your local codes for setbacks, and how you want it to look. Some homeowners will opt to fence around the entirety of the property, while others might only fence down one or two sides as more of a privacy screen.
For any fencing you do have, inspect it to see if any boards need to be replaced and if it’s time to stain or paint the fence.
Fix up any broken pathways or driveways.
Broken pathways can be a danger for anyone walking along them because if they end up slipping up on a cracked one, then it could cause injury and some serious damage. A similar problem occurs when there’s issues with the driveway but it’s your car that will likely be damaged.
With that being said, fixing both of these is the best way to ensure your exterior surfaces look and stay in goods shape. It’s better to take care of cracks now than to tempt fate with the risk of injury and worse damage.
Paint exterior surfaces.
If you want to improve your home’s exterior in a weekend, consider pain. Adding a coat of paint to your exterior surfaces is a good way to help freshen up the appearance of your home. Exterior paint is easy enough to get and to apply, especially if you’re looking to do it yourself. However, there are also plenty of painting services out there that will come out and paint your home’s exterior for you.
Look at what your exterior is made up of and then choose the appropriate paint needed. Make sure that you’ve prepped the walls correctly before applying the paint and do this every so often to keep it fresh and clean.
Add landscaping and keep things tidy.
Finally, where it’s needed, consider doing a little bit of landscaping. This is a great way to improve your home’s exterior and make your outdoor space look good and to keep things in good order so that pests don’t feel inclined to make your house their home. You can add as many plants in as many ways as you can dream. If you have a tight budget and not-so-green thumbs, consider container gardening on a porch or deck. It’s also a good way to keep plants tidy.
