When people see your home’s exterior, they gain an impression of what the interior looks like. If the exterior looks worn out and unkempt, this can wreak havoc on your curb appeal. For many homeowners, especially those that plan to sell down the line, it pays to invest in exterior upgrades that enhance and even transform the overall appearance of your home, when viewed from the street. The trick is to find the best exterior home update ideas and then tackle each improvement one at a time to keep it sustainable. To help you out, we have gathered all the exterior home update ideas you need to know, so read on!
Repair Your Driveway
As far as home exterior update ideas go, repairing your driveway comes highly recommended. This is especially true if your driveway is riddled with cracks and potholes, and it looks like an alligator’s skin. Perhaps the color is also fading, and coming up the driveway has become a tricky business because of the uneven surface. Maybe your heating oil provider even had trouble reaching your home last time they made their delivery. These are all worthwhile reasons to hire a paving company and repair your driveway. Also, remember if you’re looking for home exterior update ideas that present your home in a positive light, repairing your driveway is critical because it’s one of the first things visitors see when they walk or drive up to your home.
When you repave your driveway, this will restore its original beauty by getting rid of all the cracks and crevices. The new look of your driveway can truly transform the way your home’s exterior looks and feels. While smaller cracks on your driveway can be sealed off, it doesn’t give your driveway an entirely new look. Better yet, if your budget is flexible, consider upgrading your driveway altogether, which offers plenty of material, color, and style options. On the other hand, you can stick with repaving as a way to extend the lifespan of your driveway while you save for an upgrade.
Hire a Septic Cleaning Service
Taking care of your septic system definitely counts as an exterior improvement. Just because your septic tank is located underground and out of sight doesn’t mean it should be out of mind. Your septic tank requires attention from time to time so it keeps functioning smoothly. For instance, according to Bob Vila, it’s important to have your septic tank pumped every three to five years. This is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy septic system and preventing major problems from occurring. You may be wondering why your septic system needs to be pumped. Well, the solids that go into your tank along with your household waste get broken down and settle at the button of the tank, where they become sludge.
When this build-up becomes too much, your septic tank needs to be pumped. Otherwise, it can cause backup or other issues. Therefore, if you have a septic system on your property and you haven’t had it pumped in a while, you may end up with issues like sewage backup, slow draining, and foul odors. A malfunctioning septic tank doesn’t require you to start looking for plumbers, all you have to do is schedule a pumping before the issue gets worse.
Work With an Arborist
If you have trees in your yard, one of the exterior home update ideas to consider is working with an arborist. Even though most homeowners are not aware of this, trees are a valuable asset to your property, and it pays to keep them in the best condition possible. For starters, when the trees in your yard are healthy, they can add a lot of interest and visual appeal to an otherwise ordinary landscape. For instance, during fall, some trees become a blaze of color that gives your home’s exterior a unique appearance, while tall and healthy trees add shade, provide cooling, and contribute to a cleaner environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen.
But as mentioned, this can only happen when your trees are healthy and strong, which is where an arborist comes in. Essentially, an arborist is a tree care professional that will provide the care your trees need to be healthy and strong. The right arborist can keep your trees well-maintained, ensuring a long life and extra curb appeal. Otherwise, if your trees are left neglected, they become vulnerable to pest attack and disease and may eventually die. The problem with diseased and dying trees is that they can quickly become eyesores. You may notice the bark falling off, open wounds, and rot or fungus, all of which detract from the overall appearance of your home. Trees like these are also a liability because they are bound to fall in the wrong place and cause damage or injuries.
By hiring an arborist, you’ll have a tree care specialist you can rely on to properly examine, maintain, and care for your trees. Arborists have a commitment to tree care and provide a wide range of services, such as pruning, emergency tree care, tree removal, planting, and preventive maintenance. A reputable, certified arborist will be up to date on tree care best practices and will have the tools, expertise, and experience to serve you and your trees safely and for the best results. You can consider this as one of those ongoing exterior home update ideas with long-term benefits.
Install a New Roof
Even the most durable roof eventually reaches the end of its lifespan and if your roof is on its last legs, you might want to consider a roof replacement as one of your top exterior home update ideas. Perhaps you have already been relying on local roofers to patch up your roof and repair damage caused by inclement weather and general wear and tear. However, you can only patch up an old roof for so long. Eventually, you start dealing with issues like constant leaks that threaten to cause water damage, sagging, damaged and missing shingles all over the roof, and mold and moss growth. These are all signs that you need to replace your roof. If your roofing contractor has confirmed this after an inspection, then it’s time to go shopping for a new roof.
There are several roofing material options you can choose from for your roof replacement. Roofing technology has grown by leaps and bounds, and now you can enjoy a wider selection of roofing materials than ever before. Traditional asphalt shingles still remain highly popular because they’re an economical choice. In addition to being affordable, asphalt shingles are also effective at protecting your home, and they come in different colors and styles. Despite the popularity of traditional shingles, many homeowners are also turning to metal roofing, which offers a variety of benefits.
The list includes energy efficiency, durability, longevity, and easy maintenance. Another great alternative to consider is slate, which is also energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and can have a lifespan of 100 years or more. Besides considering your material options, another important consideration to make is finding the right roofing contractor for the job. Your new roof can only function properly when installed correctly, so you need to hire a licensed and experienced contractor with proven credentials. Be sure to check online reviews, ask for referrals, and do your research.
Build a Deck
The top advantage of building a deck is that it’s not as complex a process as building a new addition to your home. Building a deck is more affordable and uses fewer materials, but it still adds usable space to your home’s exterior. That said, there are many things to consider if you want to get the design right. Even if you’re hiring a deck company to do the job, it’s up to you to establish a budget and decide what sort of design you like and what size of deck to have. To help you make the right decisions, one of the first things to consider is the decks’ purpose and function. What will you be using your deck for? The most popular use of a deck is for outdoor entertaining. In that case, you’ll need a large-sized deck to accommodate all your family and friends.
Other people use their deck as an addition to the pool area, while others want it for outdoor privacy or as storage space. Whatever your needs, make sure you incorporate them into the design. You also have to think about where to install your deck. The right location for the deck may be influenced by the availability of space. Typically, the ideal spot should maximize scenic views, be protected from the wind, and provide privacy from neighbors while receiving plenty of sunlight. It’s probably better to start with your budget because it will determine the overall appearance of your deck and the materials you choose.
Deck material options include wood, composite decking material, aluminum, and PVC. Regardless of how you build your deck, you can make the most of this structure with the right style and decor options. Things like flower boxes, good lighting, and comfortable, built-in seating can make a huge difference to the functionality of your deck.
Replace Your Siding
Are you tired of siding repairs and want to give your home a brand-new look? Replacing your home’s siding is one of the best exterior projects to invest in, and it can do wonders for the aesthetics of your house. Today, there’s an impressive range of exterior siding options that can be installed to immediately improve your home’s exterior. The list includes stucco siding, stone veneer siding, luxury vinyl siding, composite siding, and more options in between. Each option has its own pros and cons, so be sure to do your research before choosing a material that’s right for you.
Besides boosting curb appeal, one benefit of new skiing is that it promotes energy efficiency. A properly installed and maintained siding provides an effective barrier that prevents energy leakage. You can also find energy-efficient siding options on the market that can help you reduce your energy bill along with other improvements, such as window/door replacement, as well as old insulation removal and new insulation installation. Replacing your siding also makes for easier maintenance, and if you choose the right material options, your siding won’t need to be replaced as often. Again, it’s crucial to find a professional who can do the job right – look for general contractors with a proven track record and who offer specialized siding installation services.
Power Wash Your Home’s Exterior
Looking for simple home exterior update ideas? How about a quick power washing of your home? The benefit of power washing is that it can make the cleaning process fast and efficient, so you cover a lot of ground. If you have never used pressure or power washing machine, consider hiring professionals to do the job to avoid damaging your home’s exterior. An experienced professional will know how to make quick work of your patio, driveway, deck, and fencing. This saves you a lot of money and time since you don’t have to do the cleaning by hand or invest in the power washing equipment. Overall, the benefits of power washing your home include better curb appeal, added value to your home, and easy removal of mildew and mold.
By implementing these exterior home update ideas over time, your home’s exterior will look good and complement the design and architectural style. The biggest benefit of this is improved curb appeal, which is a unique selling point in the eyes of buyers. These exterior home update ideas also offer practical benefits because improvements like installing a new roof and replacing your siding help protect your home from moisture and elements. Additionally, enhancing the exterior of your home is great if you love spending more time out in your yard. A well-maintained exterior is a perfect place to relax if you want to spend more time outdoors. Now that you know the best exterior home updates that can help you achieve your dream home from the outside – time to get started!
