One of the best things you can do for your home is improve your curb appeal. It impresses the neighbours and increases the value of the property. Exterior home renovations don’t have to be complex and expensive, either. There are many things you can do to make the outside of your home and yard look better.

Here are some ideas on fixing up the exterior of your home. Some of these you might be able to do on your own, others may require a professional renovator.

Decide if the external wall covering needs fixed up or renovated

Wood is the most common home siding in North America. Look over the wood carefully – you might even want to look at it from a distance with binoculars. Is a paint job, patching, and/or scraping necessary? Should the wood be replaced entirely?

Older homes may have artificial sidings that have been added on over the original shingles or clapboards. Consult with a renovator to find out if the original siding can be restored.

f the walls are made of stone or brick, determine if the surface is in good condition. Deteriorated mortar joints may need to be replaced. If you have a stucco home, look for bulges and cracks. Common problems with aluminum or dental siding material include discolouration, missing pieces, and dents.

Install landscape lighting

Outdoor lighting serves many purposes. Its primary purpose is to light up the walking path to the door to make it easier to find your way to the home at night. Other ideal places for lighting to be installed include pool areas, patios, driveways, gardens, and architectural elements. A good strategy is to put lights up all around the yard so that there are no dark spots when you look out of any window at night. However, you don’t want to go overboard with the lighting, as too much of it can hurt the eyes.

Make sure the front door is appealing

The focal point of a home’s front entry is the door. Either give it a new look with fresh paint and finish or have it replaced. You can get away with using a bright colour, since you will want it to look as warm and inviting as possible. Since it’s the focal point, it can’t be dull.

Fix up the windows

Look carefully at the windows to see if there are any flaws, including peeling paint, signs of decay, cracked or missing putty where the glass panes join the frame, etc. Decide whether any of the windows should be replaced or if they can all be fixed up and renovated.

Considering renovating the porch

Porches can be dangerous if they are in poor condition. Decayed railings and broken steps can lead to tripping and falling. For that reason alone you will want to take good care of your porch and repair any problems with it. Have it renovated or rebuilt if there are too many problems. You will especially want to take care of the porch floor if it is too soft and weak.

As for aesthetics, you don’t want a dull porch. Paint it with nice colour or wood stain that goes well with the house and door.

Maintain the yard

Taking care of the yard doesn’t have to be difficult. Just keep the grass cut in the spring and summer. Add a few plants to the porch. Make sure the pathway to the porch or door is good condition.

Just doing these few things will really help improve your curb appeal. If you need help with any exterior home renovations, contact the professionals from The Reno Pros.