Any exterior home renovation is an investment in money and time. When it comes to adding curb appeal and even considering a complete exterior renovation, you want to ensure you have a plan, a budget, and the right exterior home remodeling contractor!
Today, we will help you with your exterior home remodel, what steps to take, and which to avoid. Lastly, if you live in Northern Virginia, we will assist you in narrowing down the home renovation contractor for you!
What is an exterior home remodel?
Your home’s exterior is as vital as your interior. The exterior of your home protects everything inside and helps with energy efficiency. Whether you want to add some simple curb appeal or do a complete exterior renovation, an exterior home remodel consists of replacing and updating the outside components of your home.
Everything from the roof to the front door and the windows to the gutters can considered “Exterior Home Remodeling.” Below is a list of ideas to consider for your home!
Exterior Home Remodeling: Where to Start?
Don’t know where to start when it comes to the exterior of your home? First, you want to set a budget, followed by a needs and wants list. You might wish for new siding, but if your roof needs replacement, then your need would be a roof before siding.
Here are common exterior renovations you should explore! Also, home renovation in Northern VA – if you happen to live in NOVA, see how Top Dog Home Pro can offer consultation with your home’s exterior.
Siding
Unless you have brick, chances are you won’t be painting very much on the outside of your home. Your home’s curb appeal is almost 100% based on how your exterior walls look. Replacing your siding is a simple way to add color and new trends and render a fantastic look.
From insulated siding to cement fiber siding (Hardy Board), there are numerous ways to apply. exterior home renovations with new siding. One idea to consider is the front of your home, but only if you are on a tight budget. While this might seem unusual, add vertical-style and traditional horizontal siding to create a more modern look.
New Windows
Replacing your old windows with new windows can be an effective strategy for increasing natural light in your home and making your exterior stand out! With trends to promote greener living, new windows don’t just offer aesthetic results; they can also help with energy efficiency.
The most common windows are double-hung vinyl windows, which can come in various colors. While a fresh coat of paint around your windows won’t cost very much, the downside to replacing your windows is that they can sometimes be expensive. However, windows are a great starting point if you’re looking for exterior upgrades that last a long time.
Full Roof Replacement
You most likely won’t notice an old roof until you see a new one. New architectural asphalt shingles modernize your home exterior, giving it the look and feel of cedar shake shingles. However, you have the durability of one of the strongest asphalt shingles on the market with the look and aesthetics you desire. The average life expectancy of a shingle roof is 15-25 years, so if you are approaching the end of your roof’s life cycle, it might be time to consider new shingles!
Front Doors
A coat of fresh paint or even going as far as replacing your front door can be part of your exterior makeover. Your home’s exterior has a central focal point – the front door. A new front door makes a lasting impression and helps with security and energy efficiency. A new door and front windows can make your home look a long way!
New Gutters
You might not think of gutters when considering the outside of your home’s appearance, but consider the trends with dark gutters. Many modern styles have gutters matching the soffit/trim around your house or matching the roof color, giving your home a modern look. Similar to how some people will have a unique color of metal roofing for their front porch ceiling, the current trend is to make your gutters “Pop.
➡️Learn about the different gutter colors here.
Outdoor living
From patios to screened-in porches, outdoor living additions to your home’s exterior can go a long way. Functional space outdoors is something everyone is looking for, and you can improve your home’s architecture and add living space with outdoor living.
Things to consider when you are adding to your home’s yard is how long you will stay there. A new concrete walkway or patio can be nice if you are in your long-term home. However, if it is short-term, maybe consider adding landscaping upgrades instead. A simple way to do this on a budget is to add a small patio with outdoor furniture or dress up your front porch!
Painting, Soffit, & More Light
Painting around the windows and wood trim on the outside of your home can go a long way to create visual interest on the outside of your home. Adding uplighting can give your home new life during the evenings, and other things like replacing the soffit can increase your home value.
Other ideas can include:
- Adding uplighting to your front yard
- Creating symmetry
- Replacing rotting wood and repainting
- Painting or updating your porch railing
- Replacing soffit, fascia, or painting exterior trim
- Focusing on the front entry
Curb Appeal: Exterior Remodeling Before & After:
Looking for an example of an exterior remodel project in Northern, VA? Look at this complete roof, siding, trim, shutter, garage door, and gutter renovation before and after here:
Keys to Home Renovation (Exterior & Outside Only):
While you might want to completely change your entire home’s exterior or simply replace a door, there are a few keys that make the project successful.
1. Pricing:
A low bid might mean low quality. Exterior renovation can be an expensive, long-term investment. It can be even more costly if it is not done right. Thorough research should be done to ensure a true professional expert is hired to handle your home’s exterior. It’s important to contact at least three contractors for consultation. Be sure to verify each is an established, insured company.
2. Transparency
A good contractor listens to their customer and is open to answering questions. A window and door replacement professional should have no problem explaining their process, sharing their work stats, or providing licensing certificates, references, or proof of insurance.
They should also be willing to provide a written proposal outlining every aspect of the project. If the initial meeting results in confusion, it may be a red flag that they are not the right fit.
For example, our warranty info and transparent pricing can be found online!
Design inspiration:
What is the end goal, the finished look? At the final reveal, you want to be happy with your home’s exterior remodeling project. A unique, cohesive look is often the aim and you can create amazing curb appeal using the right color scheme and styles.
Are you a Northern Virginia Resident? [READ MORE LOCAL CONTENT]
How to choose a complete exterior renovation contractor –
What is the best way to find a reputable exterior home remodeling contractor?
Typical characteristics of a reputable roofing or exterior company include fair pricing, professionalism, quality communication, and haggle-free scheduling. Dealing with a professional should be fun and easy. If you are a homeowner and notice that an exterior remodeler is giving you the runaround, remember there are plenty to choose from.
Exterior Home Renovation in Northern Virginia (Top Dog Home Pro)
Luke Mitchell founded Top Dog Home Pro in the spring of 2016 and has since provided Woodbridge, VA, and the surrounding areas with exterior home remodeling services! With a goal to utilize professional communication, modern technology, and quality service, Top Dog Home Pro has quickly become one of the leading exterior contractors in the NOVA region.
After graduating from West Virginia University in 2009 with a degree in business, Luke worked for his father’s exterior renovation company for several years before moving on to an extensive product distribution company to run their install division. However, before college, Luke started working side by side with his father before he could drive, gaining valuable insight into renovating roofs and gutters for Prince William and Fairfax County homes.
Top Dog Home Pro specializes in new roofs, roof repairs, gutters, and gutter guards. So if you want to add curb appeal to your home and need input regarding your roof and gutters, let Luke and co. help you out!
Final Thoughts –
From your front yard to your front door, the outside of your home is always the first thing people see, hence the term “Curb Appeal.” While many homeowners might view exterior remodeling as more of a want than a need, depending on the age of your home, your windows, doors, siding, roof, and gutters could be reaching the end of their life cycles.
Hopefully, this guide helped you understand some basic information to get you started with your remodeling outside. With a goal of a beautiful home, don’t forget to consider your landscaping in addition to the other ideas we included. To learn more about landscaping curb appeal, here are 23 ideas to consider.
Here at Top Dog Home Pro, we are enthralled to be one of the leading exterior home renovation companies in Woodbridge, VA, and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia! We hope this guide helped you with your home project. If you need an expert in Roofing, gutters, and more, just reach out to us below!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I paint or replace my exterior trim?
Depending on the age and condition of your home’s exterior trim, you will either need to replace the trim/fascia, or you can paint it. We do not recommend painting rotting wood trim; instead, replace it with a long-lasting PVC or composite material instead.
How do I make my front porch look nice?
When you consider all of the architectural elements on the outside of your home, a porch adds so much character. Whether you have an existing front porch or want to add one, a few ways to spruce up your porch are to add plants, paint the porch railing, add a stone veneer, or consider dressing it up with furniture and decorations.
What is a quick way to add curb appeal to my home for cheap?
Consider updating minimal landscaping, painting your front door, cutting the grass, and decorating the outside of your house to add curb appeal on the cheaper side!
What are ways to improve my garage?
You can replace your garage doors to add to your home’s exterior appeal or consider painting the door if possible. Epoxy coating the garage floor will ensure your concrete floor lasts longer and gives your garage a cleaner look.
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