Make Your Home Look Great: 15 Ways to Increase Curb Appeal

Your home is one of the largest investments you will ever make in your life. That’s why it’s important to keep it looking its best. One way of doing that is to increase curb appeal.

There are many ways to improve the curb appeal of your home. From doing exterior home remodeling to lawn care, we’ll give you 15 ways you can increase your home’s curb appeal.

1. Replace Your Home’s Siding

Your siding makes up the majority of your home’s surface area. That’s why it’s important to pick siding that best suits your needs. From vinyl siding to stucco to wood siding, you have many options.

Why Insulated Vinyl Siding is the Way to Go

Insulated vinyl siding makes sense for homeowners – especially in the Midwest. Not only will the insulation protect you from the harsh weather outside, but it’ll look gorgeous while doing so. It’s also one of the best home improvement projects for your money.

You also have the ability to customize the look of your home with insulated vinyl siding. There are many colors and styles to choose from and you can even mix and match. The sky is the limit.

Your vinyl siding won’t be damaged by Milwaukee’s crazy weather. It’s extremely durable and can handle rain, snow, hail and wind. Plus the insulation makes the siding more shock resistant. It’ll last you decades!

If you want your replacement siding to look and perform at its best, you’ll want to let professionals install it for you.

Vinyl Siding Styles Available

Did you know that there are tons of vinyl siding styles available? We’ll show you your options below:

• Double four siding: also known as standard siding, double four siding is the most common style of siding
• Dutch lap siding: the panels overlap more dramatically, creating a beautiful decorative groove around your home
• Vertical siding: similar to double four siding but the panels are vertical rather than horizontal
• Board and batten siding: another vertical siding style, board and batten siding consists of alternative width boards to give your home more depth
• Shake siding: used to replicate the look of wood shingles
• Scalloped siding: a unique style with rounded bottoms. It complements other styles well or can be used to side your entire home

2. A Well Maintained Lawn is a Beautiful Lawn

Your front lawn is on display for everyone to see. You’re not going to increase curb appeal with dead grass and weeds. They say the grass is always greener on the other side but if you maintain your lawn properly, it will be on your side!

There are 4 things you need to do consistently if you want your lawn to look great:

1. Water your grass frequently (every couple of days during the summer)
2. If there’s any dead grass, seed the area so new grass grows
3. Once a week, mow your lawn so it doesn’t get too long
4. Use a weed wacker for areas your lawn mower can’t reach like around a fence or fire hydrant

All of these tips are especially important during the summer. Milwaukee doesn’t get a lot of rain so your grass could dry out and die

Grass is a living thing and if it isn’t fed, it’ll die. If you want a beautiful, full lawn, you’ll need to fertilize it. The video below will teach you how to feed your lawn.

If you want to get really creative with your lawn, you can add strips. You typically see strip patterns on golf courses and baseball fields. Toro has a lawn stripping system that attaches to the back of your lawn mower. Check it out!

Finish off your lawn with some beautiful edges. How the edge of your lawn meets your driveway, the sidewalk or a garden can effect your curb appeal too. If you want to give your lawn the perfect edge, check out this video:

3. Replace Your Garage Door

Your garage door is the largest entryway to your home. Anyone who’s passing by your house will see it. That’s why it’s important that your garage door looks its best. If you want to increase curb appeal, a steel garage door is the way to go.

Steel garage doors are large, beautiful, energy efficient doors. They’re the perfect combination of beauty and performance. Steel garage doors also come with many panel styles and window options. You can customize your garage door anyway you’d like.

If you want a more traditional style, carriage style garage doors are the way to go. They’ll give your home a warm inviting look. They also have many different panel and window options, as well as decorative hardware. So you’re sure to find the perfect garage door.

Much like replacement siding, you’ll want a professional to install your replacement garage door. Not only is it dangerous, but one wrong move can negate any of the beauty. You’ll save time, money and energy by hiring a professional to install your garage door.

Plus, if your garage door is installed properly, it can recoup 83.7% of your investment when you sell your house.

4. New Windows Increase Curb Appeal

Your home has many windows. You may take them for granted but if they’re old and worn down, they’ll take away from the look of your home. Getting replacement windows is sure to improve your home’s curb appeal.

Why should you get replacement windows? You probably think your old windows look fine. There’s a lot that could go wrong over time though. For example, wood expands and contrasts, so there may be gaps. Replacement windows will give your home a fresh need look.

You can also get creative with your windows. There are many style options available. You can use more unique styles to change how your home looks. Sliding and garden windows are great in a kitchen while awning windows are perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms and basements. Mix it up a little bit!

What Window Materials is Best For Your Home

So you may be thinking “That’s great information but there are so many window materials, I’m not sure which one to pick.” Here are a few popular window material options:

• Aluminum: very durable but doesn’t insulate well in colder climates
• Wood: looks elegant and gorgeous but is by far the most expensive. Also requires repainting and restaining every few years. Wood windows are also prone to warping, rotting and bug infestations
• Vinyl: it’s the best of both worlds. You have the durability of aluminum windows and the elegance of wood windows. They’re also by far the most energy efficient. You get the best bang for your buck. Plus, new homeowners are seeking vinyl windows for their new homes

Types of Windows

When getting replacement windows, you have many styles to choose from and it could become overwhelming. We’ll help you out by going over the styles of windows available and the benefits of each one.

• Double hung windows: extremely easy to clean and allows for great ventilation. Most common window style available
• Casement windows: allows for great ventilation and natural light. Perfect for any room in your home
• Sliding windows: extremely easy to operate and perfect for hard to reach areas
• Garden windows: a small box of windows that protrudes from the exterior of your home. Great for growing plants and herbs year round
• Picture windows: large inoperable windows that maximize the amount of light that enters your home
• Awning windows: hinged at the top and opens away from your home creating an awning effect. Allows you to enjoy fresh air no matter the weather
• Hopper windows: hinged at the bottom and opens into your home. A great option for your basement
• Bay and bow windows: a combination of 3-5 picture, casement and double hung windows that protrude from your home’s exterior
• Architectural windows: uniquely shaped inoperable windows that add style to your home

5. Trim Your Bushes and Trees

Also, having bushes and trees in front of your home can increase curb appeal. It isn’t a good idea to let them grow wildly and out of control, though. Make sure you trim your bushes and trees every couple of months so they don’t cover up your beautiful home

6. Spruce Up Your Front Porch

Not everyone has a front porch but if you do, you’ll need to take good care of it. Make sure the paint isn’t chipping and, if your porch is wood, it should be re-stained from time to time.

Also, furniture adds a touch of personal flair to your front porch. It makes it look like home. Benches and chairs are great and can be found at stores like Pier One or American Sale.

7. Make Sure Your Fence Looks Good

If you have a fence (in the front or the back), it should be properly maintained as well. Otherwise it can detract from the look of your home.

A wood fence needs to be painted and stained every couple of years. You should also make sure its free of any rotting or warping wood. Metal fences should be painted as well and rust-free. The worst case scenario would be removing or replacing your fence.

If you have a dog but don’t want a physical fence, you can always go with an invisible fence. They prevent your dog from leaving via an electronic perimeter around your home. It will also make your yard look larger which will surely increase curb appeal.

8. Make a Statement With a Bold Address Plaque

It may seem small, but changing the look of your address plaque can make a major difference in your home’s curb appeal. Whether it’s large, eye-catching numbers, unique colors or a beautiful wood plaque, your address should leap off of your house and get someone’s attention.

9. Get a New Front Door

Much like your home’s siding and garage door, your front door is on display for the world to see. You don’t want an old door to take away from your home’s overall look.

A beautiful new entry door is the perfect first impression for guests and neighbors. You can also get a window insert to add a little depth to your new front door. They’ll also allow more natural light inside your home.

You also want a front door that matches your home’s exterior well. With so many customization options, there’s a perfect front door for your home out there.

Not to mention, a new front door adds value to your home. So much so that you can recoup 96.6% of your investment when you sell your home.

Protect Your Front Door With a Storm Door

With Milwaukee’s erratic weather, you want to keep your entry door protected from the elements. The best way to do this is with a storm door.

Storm doors are installed on the outside of your entry door and shield it from rain, snow, hail and heavy winds. With many color and style options available, you’re sure to find the perfect storm door for your home.

10. Add a Little Light to Your Home

You’re spending all of this time getting replacement doors and painting your porch, you obviously want people to see it. Without proper light, that may not happen.

Installing brighter light bulbs on your front porch will show off your beautiful work. You can also get different colored lights to give everything a unique touch.

Compact fluorescent lights, or CFL for short, are great light bulbs to use. They’re energy efficient and emit a brighter light. In fact, CFL light bulbs use 25% – 80% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb. What more could you possibly want from your light bulb?

Also, according to AOL, brighter outdoor lights are one of the 13 things home buyers want in a new home.

11. Repair Your Driveway

Do you have large cracks in your driveway? Is your asphalt all torn up? Did you know your damaged driveway is hurting your home’s curb appeal? It’s true!

If you want to increase curb appeal, your best bet is to repair that driveway. Make sure the cement is smooth and there are no cracks.

12. Plant Flowers

Everyone loves flowers – they’re colorful and beautiful! Don’t let your home be without such color and beauty.

Planting flowers will make the front of your home pop. No type or color of flower is off limits. Choose whatever flowers you like and they will flourish in the Milwaukee climate. They’re sure to improve the curb appeal of your home.

13. Stand Out With a Mailbox

Don’t forget the mailbox in front of your home. Believe it or not, a mailbox makeover can increase curb appeal too.

There are many different ways you can change your mailbox. You can make it brick, shape it like something else or attach it to a light pole. Plus, they can be any color you like. There’s no limit to what you can do with your mailbox.

14. Repair Your Roof

The first thing most people ask about when buying a home is the condition of the roof. A bad roof allows water to leak in, drafts to enter and is down right ugly.

Make sure your roof isn’t damaged or worn down. Whether you’re repairing a few shingles or the entire thing, it’ll make a world of difference. However, this isn’t a do-it-yourself job. Let a professional repair your roof.

15. Your Home Needs to be Clean and Well Maintained

When all is said and done, a dirty house will not increase curb appeal. You need to take the time to make sure everything is clean, neat and well-maintained such as:

• Vinyl siding is clear of any dirt, grime or mold
• If you have wood windows, siding or doors, they’re not warping or rotting
• Metal fences aren’t rusted
• There are no animals living under your porch
• Your mailbox isn’t damaged
• The gutters are clean and don’t have any leaves or sticks in them
• Your windows are clean and streak free

BONUS: Don’t Get Too Wild!

We like you, so we wanted to give you one last piece of advice: don’t go overboard. It may be hard to stop yourself. You’re trying really hard to increase curb appeal, but getting wild and crazy isn’t the way to do it.

Even though the look of your home is subjective, you may want to avoid using clashing colors or cluttering your front yard with flowers and plants. When it doubt, keep it simple.

It’s Easy to Increase Curb Appeal

It’s easy to increase curb appeal by following a few tips:

• Replace all windows, siding, doors and garage doors
• Maintain all your landscaping
• Plant flowers
• Add bright lights
• Fix porches and fences
• Make a beautiful address plate
• Change your mailbox
• Repair a damaged roof
• Clean up

If you want to improve your home’s curb appeal with replacement windows, siding, doors or garage doors, get your free quote from Feldco right now.