The exterior of your home.
The exterior of your house is what is seen when you go out in your yard, as you pull into your driveway, and when guests arrive. You should love the look of the exterior of the house you live in. A few changes or a major re-do will help create a 'house of your dreams'.
Instructions
1. Evaluate The Exterior Features of Your House
Look at these items from your yard. Do you like the way they look? Are they functioning properly? Do they need to be replaced or fixed?
Exterior Doors: There's no better way to welcome your guests than your entry door.
-Many options to select from including wood, fiber glass, and steel.
-A significant part of the heat loss in a home occurs through the doors and windows. Replacing your door will save on your energy costs.
-Better security for your family.
Exterior Windows: Replace your windows-
-When you feel drafts, see frost inside the panes, or there is water damage on sashes.
-When you're tired of scraping, painting and maintaining them or just want a new look.
-Benefits include increasing the energy efficiency of your house, add to its value, and creating greater 'curb appeal'.
Roof: Signs of roof damage and a need for replacement -
-Water leakage that appears in the attic or in the ceilings of rooms.
-Missing, cracked, or damaged shingles.
-Damaged flashing around vents, chimneys, eaves, and skylights.
-A drastic change in heating or cooling bills is another sign of serious roof problems.
Gutters: Gutters and downspouts control the flow of water from your roof and away from your home.
-Keep pooling of water and damp foundations from forming.
-Prevent excess water from getting behind siding and into any openings around windows and door frames.
-The moisture can cause interior and exterior paint to peel and create mold and mildew problems.
Siding: Homeowners like the gift of time that low-maintenance siding products give.
-Vinyl siding now uses architectural-millwork, producing traditional profiles and details that never need painting.
-From Country Victorian to upscale Colonial the possibilities have never been more varied.
-Standard colors or to match your scheme.
Painting: The quickest and easiest way to make a significant impact on the look of your home.
-Revives weatherworn siding, perks-up tired walls or adds a touch of style
-If you do it yourself or hire a pro, painting involves a commitment of time, money and effort.
-One of the most important decisions is choosing the right paint. This is critical to whether or not your new paint job will look good and last.
-The choice of colors are personal preference but also must compliment roof color, existing brick or mortar, and blend in with your neighborhood.
2. Keep you home's exterior looking great by inspecting and fixing these features.
Doors/windows -
-Inspect caulking.
-Repair or replace broken hardware, tighten and lubricate hinges/closers.
Gutters/downspouts -
-Clear/install/repair.
-Ensure runoff is directed away from your home.
Roof -
-Inspect & make sure shingles, shakes or tiles are sound.
-Inspect all flashings and seal cracks or openings.
-Check eaves and soffits for signs of damage.
Siding -
-Inspect for evidence of deterioration.
-Check joints between wood and masonry. Waterproof and repair.
-Inspect wood surfaces for lifting or peeling paint and splitting wood.
-Check for a chalky residue on stucco: evidence of oxidation/deterioration.
3. Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting provide an ambiance to your yardscape and also can be very effective for security.
-Provides security, safety and add an attractive exterior feature to your home.
-Would be intruders are startled when lights are activated with their movement.
-Illuminates dark spots and shadows around your home, reducing hiding places for intruders.
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