Eight Easy Exterior Home Improvements To Tackle Today!

Eight Easy Exterior Home Improvements To Tackle Today!

The following contribution is from another author.

There are so many ways to improve the exterior of your house and turn it into a masterpiece, but where should you start? To help with that question, here is a list of 8 things that will provide quality over quantity. 

If you’re looking for small changes that can yield big results, 

Look No Further Than These Eight:

New Front Door

Your front door is not only the main way people get in and out of the house; it’s also one of the first things anyone coming to visit or see your property sees. Make sure your new door has a good strong lock and is weather-resistant with high impact strength (to prevent chipping and cracks). In addition, a massive improvement can be achieved by opting for a single door upgrade to a double door. If you’re looking for a more subtle change, you could simply upgrade the color from white/cream to black. White doors look outdated and grimy, whereas a new black front door can make your property look more modern or even historical – depending on the rest of your house exterior.

New Windows

Your windows are the eyes of your house, so you want them to be healthy! If they’re starting to lose their power due to chips, cracks, rot, etc., now is the time for a replacement. To increase energy efficiency inside your home, it’s highly recommended you replace old/broken glass with double-paned tempered glass that has a low-emissivity coating or coatings (if possible). You should also try maintaining any existing windows by regularly checking seals to prevent drafts and adding an additional seal if necessary.

Staining the Deck

If you’re a fan of spending time outside on sunny days, then your deck is probably one of your favorite places to relax. So give it a new look with a fresh stain that matches the rest of the exterior colors.

Installing Landscaping

This is an absolute must if you want to improve the value and aesthetic of your property. Adding a little bit of color can go a long way, so try adding mulch or flowers/greenery around window sills and any air vents leading into your home for a pop of color without going overboard. It’s also recommended to replace any loose stones or bricks that are used as borders (or anywhere really).

Fixing Fences

Chances are you didn’t put in a fence when your house was first built, so maybe it’s time to update one before all the parts are broken. If part of your fence is already in bad shape, but you simply need to replace or add new boards to replace old ones, then this is an easy fix that won’t cost much money.

Shutters

Adding shutters can be a great way to improve curb appeal without spending too much money. They look great on any color door and come in various styles/colors that can match most exterior colors! A cheaper alternative would be making vinyl decals with window film cut-outs for each pane of glass – but the results obviously aren’t quite as good (nor do they last).

Cleaning Gutters

Dirty gutters can become an eyesore that leaves your home looking unprofessional and low quality. The easiest way to clean them is by grabbing a ladder, putting on some gloves then using a stiff brush with long bristles. Be sure to do this right before the rain, so you’re not stuck with leftover debris/puddles outside your property line (nobody wants to see or step in that).

Fixing Ramps

Like most things, ramps take the most beating over time, so they probably need some repairs by now. If your ramps are too steep, it increases the chances for people (especially kids) to trip and fall, which could lead to liability issues (so definitely replace these if needed); therefore, contact a concrete contractor for some advice. If they still look new, you should probably repaint them to match the rest of the exterior colors.

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).