Home Facelift with Exterior Renovations
The exterior of your home is the first thing people see. Even if the inside of your house is nothing short of amazing, an uncared for and sad-looking exterior will give the wrong impression. This is why your front facade is so important. If you are looking to give your house a little bit of a facelift, you will need to take a long hard look at what needs to be done. It is useful to consult a professional third party since you may have become too familiar with the way your house looks to identify all its faults. Such an exterior renovation will not only give your house a brand-new personality but it will also significantly raise your property value should you wish to sell.
The True Cost
Many people are now choosing to renovate rather than relocate. And it is clear why renovation is a better option. Apart from avoiding the huge inconvenience associated with moving into a new house, a renovation doesn’t have to be expensive. Even a low-budget renovation could do wonders for the aesthetic of your home while adding thousands of dollars to its worth.
Apart from increasing your property value, an exterior renovation could also save you money on utilities. By creating a more secure building envelope or by replacing old windows with energy-efficient windows, heat can be reflected, keeping your house much cooler in those hot summer months and ultimately lowering your utility bill. Sometimes an exterior renovation even allows for a decrease in maintenance costs e.g. when you replace wood siding with stone work, obviating the need for an annual re-paint.
Four Ways to Give Your Home a Facelift
Below are some examples to give you an idea of what an exterior renovation could do for your home.
- Replace the windows
Replacing the windows of your house can have a huge impact since they are important focal points of any exterior. It’s a relatively easy way to give your house a good makeover. New windows can bring back some character that may have been removed in the past. Just be sure to consult with a professional to ensure that you don’t change the historic style of a period house. - Change the roof coverings
A roof can make or break the aesthetic of your house. Replacing roof coverings can be a relatively simple project. It also allows you to make improvements to the insulation which will ultimately save you a lot on utilities. Again, you should be wary of altering the character of period homes. - Concrete
Concrete is best for a contemporary look and can be combined with various other exterior materials. It is available in a number of colors and textures and can be given various finishes through polishing. Be sure to work with an experienced architectural designer to ensure the end product doesn’t make the wrong statement. Concrete can be quite pricy and it is therefore more commonly used on non-residential buildings. - Brick Slips
Brick slips work well to conceal an ugly finish or to restore lost character. Although they look like traditional bricks, they are either made from tiles or cut from the faces of bricks. Brick slips can also ideal if you are looking to make your home more energy efficient. This is because there are insulated systems available. Brick slips come in a variety of styles, textures and colors.
