Your home is most likely the largest asset you own, which means you need to protect it at all costs. Keeping the exterior of your home in good standing will ensure it can weather any storm and keep you and your family protected. No one wants to wake up to a leaky roof, a crack in the foundation, or a pothole in the driveway. Plus, there are many fun and creative home renovation ideas you can consider to increase your property value and get more usage. Keep reading to find our best exterior home renovation ideas.
1. Repave Your Driveway
Over time, your driveway can succumb to cracks, holes, and deterioration for a variety of reasons. If you live in a colder climate where it snows, water can seep into small cracks, freeze, and expand once it turns into ice. Once springtime rolls around, you’ll notice small cracks from the summer turned into cracks resembling the San Andreas Fault. Plowing your driveway is another way to accidentally dig up asphalt and leave gaping holes.
To maintain your driveway, make sure there’s a water-runoff, such as a drain at the lowest point of your driveway, that will redirect water from your driveway. You should also seal your driveway about every three years to protect the asphalt underneath. If your driveway has seen better days, it may be time to hire an expert to completely repave it.
2. Update Your Windows
Your windows may experience wear and tear over the years, which can lead them to become fragile or at risk of breaking. If you have an old house, the wood trim around your windows can be prone to rotting or termites. To ensure your windows stay in pristine condition, make sure you seal the wood trim with a waterproof sealer. You may need to replace your windows if you notice any damage, warping, or signs of breakage.
Do you live in an area with extreme weather patterns? Maybe one second it’s clear as day, and the next a thunderstorm rolls in with pounding wind, hail, and lighting. Or perhaps you live up north and experience blizzards, snow squalls, and freezing temperatures. Whatever the case, it’s essential you invest in storm protection for windows. Doing so will ensure your windows are impact-resistant and will also increase your home’s value.
3. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
There’s nothing a fresh coat of paint can’t fix. If you’re getting bored with your home’s color or if your current paint is fading or chipping, it may be time for a paint job. Painting the exterior of your home has many benefits, such as better curb appeal and aesthetics, increased protection from natural elements, and a higher home value price.
4. Construct a Deck or Porch
On those warm summer days, there’s nothing better than gathering with your friends and family to stargaze, throw back a few cold ones, and enjoy life. A wrap-around deck or porch is a great addition to any home that will get you outdoors. Decks and porches have many great uses that you and your family will enjoy, from entertaining guests to reading the morning newspaper on a warm spring morning.
Here are our tips for selecting deck location:
- Think about privacy
- Consider sun intensity
- Factor in access from your house
- Think about what the deck’s for
- Consider wind intensity
- Place it in an area with the best views
- Make it blend in with the landscape
5. Revamp Your Landscaping
First impressions make a lasting impression. If guests roll up to your home and notice overgrown gross, tacky lawn ornaments, and toys and debris placed throughout the yard, they might feel unwelcome. Revamping your landscape doesn’t have to require a complete overhaul. Some landscaping tips to spruce up your yard include:
- Placing flower beds in the front of your house
- Mowing your lawn once a week
- Weeding your flower beds
- Mixing up perennials and annuals
- Thinking about symmetry when planting large bushes and trees
6. Install New Garage Doors
Garages are a major selling point of any home, especially if you live in an area where there is limited street parking or if you have a small driveway. That means you need to maintain your garage doors or even replace them if they’re broken. Doing so will allow you to keep your vehicles safe and protected, as well as store any other items such as snow blowers, lawnmowers, bikes, and gardening equipment.
Wrapping Up
Updating the exterior of your home offers many benefits. From wrap-around porches that allow you to dine outside and entertain guests to installing new windows that protect your home from storms, these are just some of the many wondrous renovations you can make.
