September is the perfect month to think about uplifting the exterior of your house. A beautiful exterior can boost the pride you have in your home, and it may be that in stark contrast to your neighbours, your house and kerbside may appear a little drab. Perhaps too, you’ve been attracted to the latest design or paint trends and wish to incorporate those into your aesthetic.
Where to start?
Identify any damage and make repairs
- chipped paintwork.
- cracked walls.
- leaky and clogged gutters.
- broken fencing.
- overgrown bushes.
- tiles, both roof and drive-/pathways.
Examine kerb appeal
- do walls need washing.
- does paintwork need to be redone.
- are random garden items visible from the street.
- is your door welcoming.
- is the driveway clean and weed-free.
- does your postbox need a revamp or replacement?
- identify patchy grass areas.
When is the best time to revamp?
Late winter to early spring, especially before the potential of rain increases, is the ideal time to undertake an exterior house remodel. At this time most of the dried leaves have already fallen from the trees, dust has settled, and the weather is moderate.
Ideas:
The most dramatic and quickest way to give your home a revamp, is to paint the exterior. There are two ways to look at this: either freshen up the existing colour with a new coat; or consider a completely new colour.
- Cladding
Strip wood or stone cladding is becoming quite popular, but it’s not cheap. If you like the effect, it might be an idea to only do one feature wall, especially along one of the patio or your entertainment area walls. This can massively affect property values as people view it as an expensive installation, which as mentioned, is likely the case.
- Front door
Think of the front door as the welcoming smile. It is a big part of the exterior despite its size in comparison to the walls. While most doors are wooden, options are to paint or replace. If replacing, you may consider metal or mirror insets; if painting, and what has become quite popular, is the choice of a bright modern colour. A couple of plants, either potted or near the front door can make an enormous difference.
- Brickwork
Brick and stonework on the property may need a revamp. If the brickwork is grubby and despite a high pressure hosing, still shows marks, consider painting. Be warned though, while a clean, crisp white may be tempting, it tends to dirty very quickly. Recommended are darker colours or those that will blend into the garden like green, which make perimeter walls less obvious.
If you expect to spend time in the garden during the spring-summer months, it may be worth engaging a landscaper. However, if this is beyond the budget consider small more affordable options like stone or gravel placement in areas beneath trees where grass struggles to grow. Placing plant pots in strategic areas and solar lights can give a dramatic effect at night. Don’t forget to trim hedges and clear out beds, even planting some new seedlings in areas that need filling. Hanging pot plants from trees and under the eaves of the roof, can also be effective. And note patchy grass areas, that you may need to water to encourage new growth.
Tips and tricks
- Plan ahead and set a budget.
- Hire professionals for jobs that require expertise (such as repair of roof tiles).
- Keep in mind the style of your home, and its architecture.
- Be careful of using low-quality materials. Opt for less remodelling if the budget is restrictive, rather than cheap-nasty products. Longevity is the goal.
- Identify other homes in the area, from which you can take inspiration.
