Do you want your home to stand out among other homes in your neighborhood? Or perhaps it’s old and worn down and desperately screaming renovation? Either way, your roof and house exterior are the two areas you should work on. A well-maintained roof and facade are essential for the functionality of your home’s exterior. Whether you want to enhance the curb appeal or increase the longevity of your property, the following key tips will help your efforts.
1. Use The Right Type of Roofing Material
There are about five different types of roofing material: rubber roofing, metal roofing, concrete or clay roofing, shingle roofing or wood shaken, and slate roofing. Deciding which roof is best for you depends on the building’s location, budget, ease of maintenance, repair, and the purpose of the roof. Considering the purpose of the building, you may be looking for a specific roofing style to suit the building’s theme or functionality. Your choice will depend on the style that boosts the appeal and functionality of your home’s exterior.
When considering location, you’re looking at the local weather conditions. Metal roofs are the most durable and can withstand strong winds, hail, and other impact damage, snow, and fire. If your budget will decide which roof to go with, the slate roof is the most expensive one among the five. The cost aside, it’ll serve for a very long time. The cheapest is asphalt, but you won’t get as much life out of it.
You also need to consider what it takes to maintain different types of roofs. Wood shake roofs are considered the hardest to maintain because of the nature of wood, which causes it to warp and grow mold. Metal roofs are considered the easiest to maintain. They also have high repairability, but you’ll need more than fastening when doing metal roof repair.
2. Fix Your Driveway
A well-maintained driveway can significantly improve the look and functionality of your home’s exterior. Inspect yours to identify signs of damage and disrepair and find a way to fix them. If you find asphalt cracks or potholes, contact a professional to take a look and recommend solutions.
A certified driveway sealing contractor will advise if fillers will do the job or whether overlaying may be necessary. Usually, resurfacing is required to repair extensive damage completely. The contractor will also give directions for the maintenance of the driveway, providing seal coating every few years to protect the surface from the elements and wear.
A good contractor will suggest adding decorative elements to improve your home exterior. They may suggest using interlocking pavers instead of asphalt or colored asphalt. Stamping concrete can also produce beautiful designs. These features add allure to your home’s exterior.
Include outdoor lighting along the driveway to enhance visibility and safety at night. It’ll also illuminate the home exterior. Another plus is plants will be visible during the day and at night courtesy of the driveway lights.
3. Regularly Maintain and Repair your Gutter
Gutter clean-outs are a great habit to adopt. Moss and debris in your gutters clog the drainage system and destroy the gutter over time. Neglected gutters are also an eyesore. Clean your gutters once every six months to maintain the appeal and functionality of your home’s exterior. This will prolong their life and prevent further damage to the house.
Gutters get old and loose, causing sagging and moss growth. Remove old nails that aren’t attached to the fascia or framing. Replace them with new ones, ensuring they are placed every two feet. Use aluminum screws instead of nails, as they are cheaper to buy and easier to remove. Ensure the gutters are perfectly straight; if they aren’t, use the braces that hold the gutters in place to ensure alignment.
Inspect the soffit to see if it has become soft due to water infiltration. If it has, use exterior grade or waterproof caulk to seal the soffit. Examine the wood behind the soffit to see if it’s been affected by the spillage and repaint it if it has. If the wood has begun to rot, replace it.
4. Install Impact Doors and Windows for Protection Against Storms
Impact doors and windows are indispensable for safeguarding your home from harsh weather conditions. Working with the right professional is crucial to maximize the benefits of impact windows and doors. A good contractor will use the opportunity to improve energy efficiency and comfort.
Impact windows and doors serve three functions: energy efficiency, burglar resistance, and protection against storms. The contractor should show you the range of doors available, including sliding corner doors, bi-folding doors, pivot doors, and custom grids. In many instances, you can customize the appearance of your doors. When done right, good impact doors and windows can increase the appeal and functionality of your home’s exterior.
Glass colors and home window tinting significantly protect a home and raise its aesthetic appeal. Types of glass include low E coatings, rain glass, azure blue, green, clear, and bronze. Homeowners with budget constraints prioritize energy efficiency by featuring low E coatings on their glass.
When looking for a contractor, check their license, reviews, and field experience. A four- to five-star rating is considered good, and the length a business has been operating should be considerable, or at least five years. Personnel experience results in effective responses to mistakes in construction
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5. Use Home Siding Services
The four common types of exterior siding in the U.S. are vinyl siding, cedar lap siding, engineered wood, and fiber cement. Vinyl siding is the cheapest: durable, easy to cut, and can withstand pressure washing. Laminate siding is more durable and versatile but may require more pre-drilling during installation to avoid splitting over time.
Engineered wood is stronger, stranded together, and easier to install than natural wood siding. It comes in pre-painted or primed versions. Fiber cement lap siding is a common option but can degrade if not installed correctly.
Engineered wood is a durable, workable option that combines the benefits of fiber cement and natural wood siding. It’s perfect alongside window glass replacements and has an aesthetic value that can raise the appeal and functionality of your home’s exterior. Use natural wood siding for your alpine and mountain home for a classic look, the high maintenance requirements notwithstanding.
Fiber cement lap siding is a common option in the industry, but it’s not the same as concrete siding. It comprises layers of fiber cement that can degrade if not installed correctly. If left unchecked, it can flake and fall apart when wet.
The siding is brittle and heavy, only available in 12-foot lengths. It can snap in half when picked up, making it fragile and potentially prone to cracking or breaking. Fiber cement siding offers extreme warranties and is affordable, with some finishers offering up to 30 years.
6. Repaint your Home for a Fresh ‘New’ Look
Prepping a house for painting involves priming, caulking, and sanding. If you caulk and prep properly, the outcome will be a clean look and a paint job that will look great for several years. A good paint job greatly improves the outlook and functionality of your home’s exterior.
Mask off the house with plastic and paper, including rooflines, windows, garage doors, bricks, and rock, to ensure the paint doesn’t spill into areas where it isn’t required. Mask around light fixtures, electrical outlets, and vents using nine-inch paper and one-inch 20-20 tape. Use a cardboard shield and holder to shield the bottom of the house, then set down a drop top for drips on concrete.
Ensure these steps are followed when you hire restoration services to repaint your house. You can always step in if things aren’t going right. Pick colors that accentuate your landscape or develop a theme and follow through with an appropriate color scheme.
7. Stand Out by Landscaping your Home
If there’s one thing you can do to raise your home’s value and aesthetic appeal instantly, it’s landscaping. It’ll also improve the functionality of your home’s exterior. Plants play a big role here, with various species of grass, flowers, and other plants coming together to create a beautiful exterior garden.
Some of the easier plants to maintain around the exterior of your house are pasta, which grows in clumps and creates dense patches of large leaves in your front yard. Pasta is easy to care for, so grow more if needed. Black-eyed Susan is perfect for topping off low hedges or bushes, adding a colorful layer of yellow. It thrives in U.S. hardiness zones 3 to 9 and requires well-draining soil.
Hydrophenias are another popular plant for the front of your house, with their large, cloud-like blooms and light pastel-like colors. They are dense and thick, adding volume to your front yard. Bougainvillea is also a great choice.
These five low-maintenance plants are perfect for the front of a home, providing various options if you’re looking to save water and maintain a healthy environment. Contact a reputable landscape supplier to help you choose the right plants for your front yard to create a vibrant and visually appealing garden that adds value.
8. Hardscape to Improve the Functionality and Aesthetics of Your Home
You can improve the functionality of your home’s exterior by focusing on hardscaping. There’s beauty in implementing features like pathways, patios, walls, decks, fences, water features, and lighting. These provide structure and organization to a landscape, marking boundaries and creating visual interest.
Hardscaping can also enhance the sustainability and eco-friendliness of your landscape, with water features like ponds, fountains, or rain gardens helping to manage stormwater runoff and attract wildlife. Gravel or permeable concrete can reduce water runoff and contribute to groundwater recharge.
Get your hardscape supplies from trusted suppliers and consider future maintenance when designing features. Such supplies include stone, concrete, pavers, bricks, walls, mulch, gravel, and other elements. Hardscaping elements are typically durable and long-lasting but require periodic cleaning, repairs, and sealing to retain their functionality and appearance. You can never go wrong with hardscapes. When done correctly with proper grading and compaction, they provide long-lasting outdoor enjoyment.
9. Regularly Power Wash
Power washing can significantly improve the appearance and functionality of your home’s exterior. It effectively removes dirt, grime, mold, and other contaminants. Do this regularly to enhance your curb appeal and promote health and safety.
Before using a power washer, remove obstacles such as outdoor furniture, plants, and decorations, and cover nearby plants to protect them. Choose the right equipment, such as a medium-duty pressure washer with a PSI rating of 1,500 to 2,400, and apply a home cleaning solution to the surface for a specified period. Start power washing from the top of the surface and work your way down, ensuring consistent movement to avoid streaks or damage. Hold the pressure washer at a 45-degree angle for optimal cleaning.
Start with low pressure and gradually increase it if necessary. It’s easy to cause structural damage to your property, so be cautious. Excessive pressure or using the wrong nozzle can cause damage. Use the appropriate safety gear while working, and be mindful of the environmental impact of the water you’re using.
10. Install a Deck or Patio
A deck or patio installation can enhance your house’s exterior appeal. Both options provide functional outdoor spaces for various activities, such as relaxing, entertaining guests, or hosting family gatherings. You construct decks using wood, composite wood, or vinyl, offering a natural and traditional look, while patios are durable, low maintenance, and resistant to harsh weather conditions.
You can use concrete, pavers, natural stone, or compacted gravel to construct patios for unique aesthetics and durability. In regions with high winds, patios usually include exterior window curtains and are known for their durability. They can withstand heavy foot traffic, extreme weather conditions, and ground shifting.
Patios are ideal for homeowners concerned about accessibility, as they can be built at ground level or with easy access ramps to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Costs for patio installation can vary widely, with concrete being the most cost-effective option. Consulting with a professional contractor can help you make an informed decision and ensure a successful installation process.
You don’t want your home’s roof and exterior facade to only look good. It should also be functional. You don’t want one to bring down the other. Think of it like someone who has both outer and inner beauty. This read gives you a detailed guide that can act as your roadmap to improving the functionality of your home’s roof and exterior.
