Exterior Home Projects for Every Homeowner's Budget

The exterior of your home tells a story about you, the home’s value, and the area you live in. If you want to make sure to tell the best story possible, it’s important to create a home exterior that shines.

These are some of the best ways to create a fantastic home exterior on any budget.

Updating the Greenery

The most affordable and work-intensive update you can do to your home is changing the greenery. This increases curb appeal and gives you a lawn you can be proud of. To do this, mow and edge your lawn to get your grass in shape, and then consider your gardens. Instead of just going for what looks best, consider investing in local and native plants that are designed to handle the weather your area naturally has.

If you want to take this further, you can add a rain garden! These gardens collect and absorb extra moisture and can help keep your lawns from flooding. They're also incredibly attractive, adding visual interest to your home. It is most beneficial to consult a professional like LawnMore when making major landscape changes.

Completing Your Garage

The average garage in America isn’t finished. This goes beyond just having doors and windows on it: many don’t have drywall up that can insulate and protect the interior of it.  Take the time to complete your garage and make a space that’s usable and safe. 

This could mean using epoxy garage floor paint, which will save you from having to worry about stains and discoloration or even replacing your entire garage door. Garage door replacements offer the highest return on investment of any home update and give you the chance to change the entire look of your home's exterior while also making it safer.

Adding Safety Features

How safe is your home? Although your neighborhood may feel secure, most people who break into homes know the homeowner. In order to keep your property safe, it's important to take the time to update the locks on your doors and windows and protect them from being easily broken into

Another addition can be exterior lighting!  Having your lawn lit up at night, even if it's on a motion sensor, can be enough to dissuade people from trying to break in. Nobody wants to commit a crime in the spotlight, so you'll be protecting your property in a fantastic way.

Beyond the security issues, can people feel safe walking around without slipping and falling? Adding details like hog wire deck railing and grips on stairs can be a great choice to allow people to feel a little safer.

Adding Gutter Guards

Your gutters are pulling a lot of debris and leaves into them every year and this can be horrible for your home. Although you may assume that climbing up to clean your gutters isn’t a big deal, falling from a ladder can quickly lead to injury, and homes with gutter issues can see their HVAC systems fighting harder in the winter.

Adding gutter guards can be as cheap as a hundred dollars and saves you from the trouble and stress of deep cleaning them every year.

Updating Your Driveway

If you live in a home with a dirt driveway away from the road: it's time to make a change. Dirt driveways can lead to flooding and can be terrible for your vehicles. How much does it cost to put in a gravel driveway? Far less than you'd expect. Not only does this give you a better surface to drive on, but it also helps keep moisture from gathering and ensures your vehicles can smoothly go across the surface without causing huge ruts.

Repairing Aged Windows

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Older windows aren’t just a risk for your HVAC system, they’re also terrible for your home’s curb appeal. Although replacing all of your windows can cost tens of thousands of dollars, repairing old windows can give them a fresh life.

You can do this through window and sash replacement inserts, which replace the most common issue for older windows without making you replace the entire unit. Not only does this ensure that your windows match throughout, but it also saves you a lot of money and time.

Deep Cleaning Concrete

Deep cleaning your home's exterior is a simple and affordable job that can leave striking results. For less than $100 for a full 24 hours of access, you can rent a power washer that will change how people view your home. Use this power washer to knock out stains from oil, and then use it on any brick or wood to knock off any debris or pollen that's discoloring it. By the end of the day, you'll have a home that looks brand new without having to pay an arm and a leg.

Every Home Exterior Can Shine

Your home’s exterior tells the world about what you take seriously. Not only does it give you the chance to make a property that’s appealing: it adds a lot of value to it as well.

Susan Holmes is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. She is an editor and content writer for the environmental industry. Susan is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes. 

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