Exterior Home Remodeling Projects to Improve Curb Appeal

It is said that there is only one chance to make a first impression, and when it comes to real estate, that first impression is measured by a property’s curb appeal. Despite any underlying flaws, a home that is the envy of neighbors and causes passersby to do a double-take is sure to pique the interest of realtors and buyers alike.

Unlike some major interior renovations that can take weeks, if not months, to complete, there are a number of value-adding exterior remodeling projects that can significantly increase curb appeal in a matter of days.

Modernize the Driveway

Concrete driveways look good when they are new, but heavy tensile blows and moisture embedding itself into poorly sealed surfaces can quickly lead to expanding cracks that make your driveway look like a ghost-town parking lot.

Consider replacing your old concrete driveway with an innovative permeable gravel surface. Gravel driveways that are held in place with permeable grids keep a clean, natural look, avoiding the clumping and rutting issues that mar more traditional gravel driveways. With no threat of cracking or oil stains, this trendy look for your driveway will indefinitely ensure the quality of your home’s curb appeal.

Replace Cracked and Fading Siding

When it comes to curb appeal, there really is not much that can match a classy siding, as the siding is the face of the home itself. Recent trends have seen many homeowners move away from the synthetic vinyl look to sheath their houses in more traditional wood or brick.

While these rustic siding choices definitely create a homey vibe for onlookers, they can be incredibly difficult to maintain, as wood needs to be painted and brick needs to be sealed every couple of years to not only maintain their insulative properties, but also retain their aesthetic luster.

A more hassle-free siding choice that still provides charming curb appeal is steel log siding. Not only will this durable material look great for at least 50 years, but there are many steel siding colors for houses that are virtually indistinguishable from natural materials, providing an alternative for those who love that wood or brick feel.

Install a Synthetic Roof

Although the siding may be the face of the house, it just feels like blemishes, no matter how small, seem to stand out more on the roof. Perhaps it is the expectation that the roof should be one uniform color, but any divots, cracks, faded patches, or foreign objects on the roof are generally the first thing people notice when examining your house.

As the most common roofing material, asphalt shingles, is notorious for shedding granules and fading in the face of heavy sun exposure, it is likely that your house could be due for an upgrade, especially if your original roof is pushing 20 years old.

When looking at replacement materials, consider synthetic asphalt shingles. This innovative roofing product provides elite UV and fire protection, all while capping your house with a clean, uniform look that is a minimal risk to break down over time.

Do Some Landscaping

It is no secret that a well-manicured lawn and white picket fence is the American ideal of “curb appeal.”

While variations of this classic look will likely always remain a strong choice, there are other ways to landscape your property that provide a comparatively solid facelift. Trimming dead branches from trees and adding potted plants are a couple of ways to quickly make a desolate house look more inviting.

If you are in low water areas, or simply want to avoid consuming natural resources on your property, there are a number of creative ways to use pea gravel, sand, stone, and/or pergolas to give your property an inviting aspect that differs from the traditional lush look.

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.