Older homes can be a challenge to maintain because many homeowners want a fresher look but don’t want to compromise their classic charm. If your older home has started to look more haunted than hip, this post will offer suggestions for upgrading the exterior without compromising your home’s character.
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
This is one of the less expensive outdoor renovations that can boost your home’s curb appeal, though it will set you back a few hundred dollars. Oftentimes, an older home’s siding can become chipped and lose some of its appeal with age. A fresh coat of paint in a vibrant or calming color can put some life back into the old structure and make it look as good as new.
This nifty trick can be applied to brick and stucco homes as well. If your stone exterior starts to look dingy, just paint it for a fresh new look.
Try New Masonry
The large, grandiose homes built today often feature stone siding rather than traditional vinyl or wood. Adding some unique masonry work to the siding of your home will give it a fresh update and create a more durable finish.
It’s important to note that this will be a fairly pricey upgrade. Stone masonry is often relegated to mansions for a reason. If you’re on a tight budget, this exterior update may not be for you.
Install James Hardie Siding
If you have an old home, the siding will be one of the first things to have issues. If you love the look of traditional wood siding, but hate the maintenance and short shelf life, James Hardie brand siding is the perfect solution. It comes in a variety of styles and colors that won’t fade in the sun, promising a beautiful finish from beginning to end.
It’s also fire, hail, and insect resistant and promises a long life. The maintenance is low and it can significantly boost the value of your home. Though it’s one of the more expensive forms of home siding, it has the highest ROI of any other form of siding.
Install Energy Efficient Windows
One of the biggest problems you’ll see with old homes involves the windows. This affects both the exterior and interior of your home. Old windows allow outside air to come inside, making your heating and cooling systems work overtime and driving up your utility bills.
Old windows that are single pane or have cracked seals will also make the home look older, dirtier, and less safe. New windows will polish the look of this portion of your home.
Add a Modern Touch Like Solar Panels
Old homes lack the technology and modern day features that make today’s homes amazing. You may not be able to tear down your aged home to build an entirely new and modern one, but you can add some of the features you love.
Solar panels are a great modern feature with the potential to update the look of your house and improve its efficiency. Solar panels are much more affordable to install now than they were 20 years ago, giving you the opportunity to make your money back from the savings on your electricity bills.
If solar panels aren’t your thing, there are plenty of new, modern updates that can make your old home look newer and more exciting. Motion sense lighting, smart home features, trendy exterior updates, and other popular modern day adjustments can be made to give your home a more timely glow.
Refinish the Trim
Old homes have a lot of charm. Instead of doing away with the things that once made it beautiful, revitalize them. Old homes often feature decorative trim with latticework or special designs. Replace or restore the trim so that it shines beautifully once again.
Oftentimes, a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint will take care of this project, but other times you’ll need to look into brand new trim to replace cracked and rotting wood. Look for specialty trims that keep the vintage style alive in order to preserve the charm that you fell in love with when you bought the house.
Enhance the Front Porch
Focus on the railings and pillars that surround the porch. Grasp these fixtures firmly and give them a good shake to test for stability. Examine them closely for signs of rot, gouges, or other damage that could make the porch unfit. If the structure checks out, sand it down and give it a fresh coat of paint.
If the porch needs some serious adjustments, get to work. Go shopping for rails that will match the charm of your older home and have a carpenter fashion and install pillars that will keep your roof stable and beautiful.
Pull Out the Front Door
Many older homes are devoid of beautiful front porches. Many are entirely flat-faced with very little character. To enhance the look of the structure, make a small renovation by pulling out the front door and adding a small porch. This is a lot of work, but it will revolutionize the curb appeal for an otherwise boring home.
Update the Landscaping
Freshly mowed grass and swept sidewalks are good, but they won’t appeal to visitors the same way that professional landscaping will. Focus on making your yard, front and back, follow a well-designed theme. Everything from the grass you plant to the shape of the sidewalks will mean the difference between an updated, modern yard and a boring, dated outdoor space.
Today, modern design means healthy, well-trimmed grass amid curvy sidewalks. There should also be trees, bushes, flowers, and other greenery to add color and enhance the shape of the yard. Talk with a professional landscaper about the possibilities for your yard that will compliment the vintage charm of the house.
Pressure Wash the Exterior
Sometimes your older home doesn’t need an entire facelift to be beautiful again. A good shower will do the trick. Have your home pressure washed to remove the dirt and grime from years of neglect, rain storms, and wind. This is a fairly inexpensive process, and you’ll be amazed at how much better your house looks when you’re done.
This washing will also prepare your home for further renovations. When you can see underneath the dirt and grime, you can see where changes need to take place and where things can be left alone. It preps the house for a new coat of paint and stops you from doing any work that’s unnecessary.
Affix Outdoor Lighting
Winter is coming soon, which means the days will be shorter and you’ll have far less natural light. Outdoor lighting will literally brighten up your property, even after the sun has gone down. In some parts of the country, the sun sets as early as 5:30 p.m., which means your dinner guests will be in the dark when they come over. Light up their path and give your old home a warm welcome with an integrated light system.
Paint Doors
On any home, the front door is the focal point. It’s fairly inexpensive to update with a fresh coat of paint, and it can add appeal to any building. Look for colors that are complimentary, but are vibrant and stand out from the rest of your home.
Don’t forget about your garage door, either. If your garage door faces the same way as your house, it becomes a part of your home. Paint it or update the face so that it looks beautiful and brings attention.
Contact John McCarter Construction Today
Whether you need new siding, roofing, windows, doors, or any other service pertaining to the exterior of your home, John McCarter Construction can design and install it for you. We have been servicing homes in the Michigan area for decades, and we’d be happy to service you too.
For more information about the exterior renovations we offer, contact us today!
