Suggestions for enhancing the exterior of your home.
You may have a particular project in mind or maybe you know that your house needs something, but you don't know what. Here are a few suggestions:
* Replace the front door. Exterior or entry doors can be as plain or as detailed as you desire. The more detail, such as decorative glass panels, the higher the price, but an attractive $300 door will make a startling difference on the front of your house.
* Add shutters. Shutters are another relatively inexpensive project when compared to the change it gives the appearance of a house. A pair of maintenance free vinyl shutters for a standard window can be found for about $25, plus any decorative hardware you might add. As with most wood products, wood shutters are more expensive, with prices varying widely from $75 to $160 a pair. Multiply the price per pair by the number of windows in your house.
* Replace windows. Not only will your home look better, your energy savings could be substantial. Replacement windows start at a low of about $100 for a standard sized vinyl trim double glass window. Higher quality, design, and wood trim will cost more. You'll be looking at them for a long time, so choose well.
* Fencing: Add or replace a fence. Vinyl fences require little to no maintenance. A 3' x 6' section of traditional picket fence is under $40, while 6' x 6' privacy panels start at around $50. Wood may be slightly less expensive than vinyl, but it will require some maintenance. A 3' x 8' section of wrought iron fence will run about $90. Check with local zoning and for underground utilities before installing a fence. It's considered a good idea to talk to immediate neighbors about putting up a fence, unless they're the very reason for it.
* Decks: Add a deck to extend the living area of your home. Decks are one of the most desirable home features. The cost of a deck depends on size, material, and who does the work, but figure $10 a square foot for do-it-yourself to a minimum of $20 per square foot if you hire it done. These are ball-park figures that will vary depending on costs in your area.
* Siding: There are more siding products than ever to choose from. There are new cement or wood composites, vinyl, stone veneer, cedar or other woods. Wood can cost from $150 to $250 per square foot, while vinyl is about $65 a square foot. The cement composites that look like wood siding are gaining in popularity due to appearance, durability, and cost that should be no more than $125 per square foot. Combining materials can create a unique look for your home.
* Paint: Sometimes a fresh coat of paint can be all it takes to make a house look like new. Home improvement stores offer suggestions on new ideas for basic and contrasting trim colors.
Whether it's adding a pathway of stepping stones through the flower garden or a complete facelift, any improvement to the outside of your home increases the enjoyment your home gives you and it's value.
Before starting any remodeling project, find out if you need a permit. Most towns and cities require permits for adding rooms, decks or driveways, replacing roofing, windows, and siding, installing fences or pools, remodeling basements, anything involving electrical or plumbing, moving walls, and many other remodeling projects.
