Home Exterior Makeover: What to Consider

Your home's exterior creates that all-important first impression and significantly impacts both curb appeal and property value. Whether you're preparing to sell or simply want to enjoy coming home to a more beautiful space, an exterior renovation can transform your property. At Gorikaya Utka, we've helped hundreds of homeowners revitalize their home exteriors with projects ranging from simple updates to complete transformations. This guide explores key considerations for planning a successful exterior makeover.

Assessing Your Home's Current Exterior

Before diving into any renovation project, it's important to thoroughly evaluate your home's current condition and identify both problem areas and opportunities for enhancement.

Perform a Comprehensive Inspection

Start with a detailed assessment of your home's exterior elements:

• Structural integrity: Look for foundation cracks, settlement issues, or water damage
• Siding condition: Check for damaged, warped, or deteriorating siding materials
• Roofing: Assess for missing shingles, leaks, or signs of aging
• Windows and doors: Evaluate for efficiency, functionality, and appearance
• Trim and fascia: Inspect for rot, peeling paint, or damage
• Porches, decks, and patios: Check structural integrity and surface conditions
• Landscaping: Assess how plantings frame and complement your home

Identify Functional vs. Aesthetic Issues

Categorize your findings into two groups:

• Functional issues: Problems that affect structural integrity, energy efficiency, or protection from the elements
• Aesthetic concerns: Outdated features, unappealing colors, or design elements that detract from your home's appearance

Always prioritize addressing functional issues first, as these protect your investment and prevent more costly repairs down the road.

Exterior Siding Options

Siding is one of the most impactful elements of your home's exterior, affecting both appearance and protection from the elements.

Popular Siding Materials

Each siding material offers different benefits, aesthetics, and price points:

Mixing Materials for Visual Interest

Contemporary exterior designs often incorporate multiple siding materials to create visual interest and highlight architectural features:

• Use stone or brick veneer on the lower portion of the house with siding above
• Highlight gables or dormers with different siding styles or orientations
• Create accent walls with premium materials in key visual areas
• Use board and batten or shakes in contrast with horizontal siding

Roofing Considerations

Your roof is both a crucial protective element and a major visual component of your home's exterior.

Roofing Material Options

When selecting a new roof, consider these popular choices:

• Asphalt shingles: Most common option, offering good value, variety of colors, and typically 20-30 year lifespan
• Metal roofing: Long-lasting (40-70 years), energy-efficient, and available in panels or shingles
• Slate: Premium natural stone option with exceptional durability (75-100+ years) and distinctive appearance
• Clay or concrete tiles: Elegant appearance with excellent longevity (50+ years), ideal for Mediterranean, Spanish, or southwestern styles
• Cedar shakes: Natural wood option with rustic appeal, moderate lifespan (20-40 years with maintenance)
• Synthetic roofing: Modern alternatives that mimic natural materials with improved performance and lower maintenance

Color and Style Considerations

Your roof color and style should complement your home's architecture and exterior color scheme:

• For homes with busy exterior details or multiple colors, choose a subtle, neutral roof color
• For simple exteriors, consider a roof with more visual interest or dimensional shingles
• Darker roof colors make a house appear more grounded, while lighter colors can make it seem larger
• Consider energy efficiency—lighter colors reflect heat in warm climates
• Look at the roofs in your neighborhood for context, especially in areas with homeowner associations

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors significantly impact both the appearance of your home and its energy efficiency.

Window Replacement Considerations

When replacing windows as part of an exterior makeover, consider:

• Energy efficiency: Look for ENERGY STAR rated windows with appropriate ratings for your climate
• Frame materials: Options include vinyl (low maintenance, good insulation), wood (traditional appearance, requires maintenance), fiberglass (durable, energy-efficient), and aluminum (sleek, modern look)
• Window style: Choose styles that complement your home's architecture—colonial homes look best with divided-light windows, while contemporary homes suit larger, uninterrupted panes
• Enlarging openings: Consider increasing window size to bring in more natural light, but be aware this requires structural modifications
• Trim details: Window trim and shutters can dramatically enhance visual appeal

Door Selection Tips

Your front door makes a statement about your home while providing security and efficiency:

• Material options: Fiberglass (low maintenance, good insulation), steel (maximum security), and wood (classic beauty, requires care)
• Style considerations: Choose a door that complements your home's architectural style
• Color impact: A bold door color can create a focal point and express personality
• Glass inserts: Balance privacy needs with desire for natural light
• Entry enhancements: Consider sidelights, transoms, new hardware, and lighting to complete the entry

Exterior Color Schemes

Choosing the right color palette transforms your home's appearance and creates cohesiveness across all exterior elements.

Creating a Harmonious Color Palette

For a well-designed exterior, consider these color selection guidelines:

• Three-color approach: Base color (main siding), accent color (doors, shutters), and trim color (windows, fascia, corner boards)
• Consider fixed elements: Work with existing elements you won't be changing (brick, stone, roof)
• Respect architectural style: Traditional homes typically feature classic, subdued colors, while contemporary homes can support bolder choices
• Test before committing: Paint large sample areas (at least 4'x4') on different sides of your house to see how the color appears in different lighting conditions

Current Color Trends

While timeless choices never go out of style, these current trends offer inspiration:

• Warm neutrals: Soft beiges, taupes, and warm grays provide versatility and broad appeal
• Nature-inspired hues: Sage greens, slate blues, and earthy terracottas connect with the landscape
• Modern farmhouse: Crisp whites with black accents continue to be popular for their clean, timeless appeal
• Bold accent doors: Deep blues, vibrant reds, and botanical greens add personality while remaining tasteful
• Monochromatic schemes: Using variations of a single color creates sophisticated, cohesive exteriors

Architectural Details and Accents

Architectural elements add character and dimension to your home's exterior.

Enhancing Curb Appeal with Architectural Details

Consider adding or upgrading these elements to increase visual interest:

• Trim and moldings: Wider trim around windows, doors, and at corners adds dimension
• Decorative brackets: Support visual interest under gables or over entryways
• Columns and posts: Add substance to porch areas and entryways
• Window shutters: Traditional accent that frames windows and adds color contrast
• Gable vents and decorative elements: Break up large wall expanses with functional or decorative details
• Architectural accent lighting: Highlights key features and improves nighttime appearance

Landscaping and Hardscaping

The surrounding landscape plays a crucial role in framing your home and completing its exterior appearance.

Integrating Landscaping with Exterior Updates

Consider these landscape elements as part of your exterior renovation:

• Foundation plantings: Soften the transition between house and ground
• Trees for framing: Strategic placement can highlight your home's best features
• Layered plant heights: Create visual interest with a progression from ground covers to shrubs to trees
• Year-round interest: Include evergreens and plants with multiple seasons of appeal
• Lawn alternatives: Consider ground covers, native plants, or xeriscaping for lower maintenance

Hardscape Elements that Complement Your Home

Hardscaping creates structure and functionality in your landscape:

• Walkways and paths: Define circulation and guide visitors to your entrance
• Driveway upgrades: Materials like pavers, stamped concrete, or exposed aggregate add character
• Retaining walls: Can solve grading issues while adding visual interest
• Patio and deck spaces: Extend living areas outdoors and create connections to the landscape
• Fencing and gates: Define property boundaries with styles that complement your home
• Pergolas and arbors: Frame outdoor spaces and support vertical plantings

Outdoor Lighting

Strategic lighting enhances your home's appearance after dark while improving safety and security.

Exterior Lighting Strategies

A comprehensive lighting plan typically includes:

• Entry lighting: Welcoming illumination at all entrances for safety and aesthetics
• Architectural lighting: Uplighting or downlighting to highlight interesting architectural features
• Path lighting: Low-level illumination to guide safe movement around the property
• Landscape lighting: Focal lighting on specimen trees or garden features
• Security lighting: Motion-activated fixtures in vulnerable areas
• Ambient lighting: String lights, lanterns, or recessed lighting in outdoor living spaces

Lighting Technology Considerations

Modern lighting offers several advantages:

• LED fixtures: Energy-efficient with long lifespans and cool operation
• Smart controls: App-controlled systems for scheduling, remote operation, and scene-setting
• Solar options: Energy-independent lighting for areas without easy access to electrical wiring
• Color temperature: Choose consistent color temperatures (typically warm white 2700-3000K for residential exteriors)

Planning and Budgeting Your Exterior Renovation

A successful exterior renovation requires careful planning and realistic budgeting.

Creating a Phased Approach

If budget constraints prevent completing all desired updates at once, consider a strategic phasing plan:

• Address functional issues first (roof, windows, structural repairs)
• Tackle high-impact, high-visibility elements early (entry door, front landscaping)
• Group projects that logically go together (siding and trim, landscaping and lighting)
• Create a long-term plan that maintains a cohesive look even when implemented over time

Budgeting Guidelines

When establishing your renovation budget:

• Research average costs for each project component in your area
• Get multiple quotes from reputable contractors
• Budget 15-20% contingency for unexpected issues
• Consider return on investment—prioritize projects that add the most value
• Factor in maintenance costs for various materials
• Look into financing options like home equity loans or renovation loans

Finding the Right Professionals

Selecting experienced professionals is crucial for exterior renovations:

• Look for contractors with specific experience in the type of exterior work you're planning
• Check references, reviews, and examples of similar completed projects
• Verify proper licensing, insurance, and warranty coverage
• Consider working with a design professional for cohesive planning of multiple elements
• Ensure clear communication and detailed written proposals before proceeding