Year: 2020

Curb appeal is a term for how attractive the frontage of a house is when it’s viewed by a passerby from the sidewalk. The passerby might be someone simply walking down the street or a person who is in the market for a new house, and that’s one thing that makes curb appeal important. Curb appeal alone can add value to a house.

Many homeowners improve their house’s curb appeal for reasons other than increasing its resale value. Some people simply want to engage in a home improvement project that makes their home more aesthetically pleasing. Others, frankly, want their house to stand out from the other houses in the neighborhood. Some homeowners add curb appeal because their homeowner’s association has informed them that their house and yard are not quite up to snuff.

Improving Curb Appeal

Improving a house’s curb appeal is only limited by the homeowner’s imagination and, of course, their budget. Following are some of the many things that improve curb appeal:

Plants and Flowers

Installing plants and flowers around the front of the house is an easy way to enhance curb appeal. Ideas can range from planting a garden in the front yard, planting colorful annuals in window boxes, adding plants with interesting colors and textures as foundation plants, or training vines up trellises. Other ideas are to purchase urns or other types of containers, fill them with plants, and put them on the ends of the front steps or place them on either side of the doors.

Keep it Clean and Tidy

Eliminate clutter and keep up with landscaping. Nobody likes to see junk in the yard or overgrown shrubbery. Clean the exterior regularly, including siding, gutters, driveways, and roofs. A pressure washing service can be extremely helpful for this and save you headaches and time.  Go to https://eliteexteriorsolutionsmn.com/ for more information.

Smarten Up the Front Door

Even from the sidewalk, the front door is what a passerby first notices about a house. Sometimes all it takes to improve its look is to give it a fresh coat of paint. Indeed, many home decorators urge that homeowners choose bright, bold, primary colors such as fire-engine red, cobalt blue, or sunny yellow. Other homeowners replace their old door or even simply replace the rusted and uninspiring hardware on an old one.

Add New Hardware Overall

The front door may not be the only element that could use new hardware. An interesting pendant lamp on the roof of the porch can replace a boring sphere made of glass or porcelain. House numbers that can barely be read from the street can be replaced with huge, unignorable numbers made of wrought iron or other metal. The homeowner also shouldn’t forget their mailbox. A standard mailbox is serviceable, but there are mailboxes that are not only serviceable but attractive. Many are even quirkily attractive, such as a mailbox made to look like an old, cast iron stove. Even planting flowers around a standard-issue mailbox does much to beautify it.

Siding and roofing are, no doubt, the perfect way to add pomp and color to your abode. It is imperative to choose the most convenient option for you with many options in the roofing and sliding market. Not to underscore the importance of aesthetics, sliding material’s ability to resist water, versatility, and durability are key considerations to make.

Most Popular types of Roofing and Siding

1. Wood

Wood is mostly used in bungalows and cottages as an exterior finish. Wood siding is durable and has an aesthetic appeal if looked after in the right way. A key point to note for wood lovers is that it requires a lot of maintenance to last long. Wood maintenance practices may include staining, chalking, and painting to prevent the harsh effects of adverse weather conditions and insect attacks. Well-maintained wood can last for up to a century. The market price for wood siding or roofing varies from $5 to $10 per square foot.

2. Stucco

Conventional stucco is a combination of cement, lime, sand, and water. In most stucco siding or roofs, a waterproof membrane and a galvanized metal sheet are layered over wooden walls before installing stucco. These measures are normally undertaken to create a good foundation for the stucco finish and protect the walls or roof ceiling.

Due to the rigid nature of stucco, cautious installation is required to prevent cracking. Properly installed stucco lasts for as long as the house exists.

3. Vinyl

Vinyl is one of the most common sliding materials thanks to its low cost, easy maintenance, and flexibility. The plastic nature of vinyl turns off most architects and designers, its design and color variety makes it a go-to option for most people. Vinyl requires little installation equipment and is available in most stores. The vinyl option is best for those who want a cheap and do-it-yourself siding or roofing solution. Since self-installation can come with technical mistakes, it is prudent to follow the manufacturers’ guide word by word.

4. Bricks

Brick roofing and siding have passed the test of time as convenient roofing and siding materials. It is mostly found in ancient cottages or colonial castles. The fired clay finish material comes in various dimensions and textures. Since bricks can absorb water, they require damp-proof paper between the house and the veneer. Properly installed brick roofing or siding can last a lifetime of the house. Bricks require high levels of labor, and thus their high cost.

Whatever material you choose, consider the long-term maintenance and cleaning.

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