Does your new year’s resolution include a home makeover? Then we’ve got some ideas for you to spruce up your home and get it noticed.
The outside of your home is something you want to be noticed for its beauty and style. How exactly is this achieved? With help from professionals like our MN exterior home improvement company!
First off is color. The days of monochromatic exteriors are gone; two-tone time is here. Many homeowners will choose beige or tan siding for the entire home and say they’re done.
Boring!
Instead, select two different colors that go well together. Place the lighter color on walls and darker color on dormers and gables (or vice versa). You can go with related colors in the same family, such as a pale sage and a dark green. But what about being really unique? Choose two colors which are completely different. Colors which go together nicely are blue and grey, or choose maroon with a neutral color such as tan or off-white.
And a variety of textures is also trending. Color variety and texture can be achieved with the right combination of siding products.
The home shown here at left is one of our recent projects. Note the variety in both color and texture.
Products used here include: James Hardie fiber cement (siding, trim, soffit, and fasica). HardiePlank® siding was installed on most of the home, with HardieShingle® on the gable end over the front entry.
We also installed Boral Versetta cultured stone on the lower section of the first floor.
Of course, you want your home’s exterior to have a look that is both polished and smart, accomplishing this with any material that is used. Here are a couple ideas to consider, using different materials.
Vinyl Siding
Due to vinyl being the number one choice in the US for exterior covering of homes, it comes first. It’s the easiest material to maintain and generally the least expensive. But even if you’re going for cost savings and low maintenance, you don’t have to skimp on style. Vinyl siding comes in a variety of styles, so you don’t have to settle for just the plain lap or clapboard siding look.
Exterior Masonry
With the trend toward more natural looking homes, the use of stone on the exterior of houses is also becoming popular. Genuine natural stone can be costly, however, and it usually means hiring a specialty contractor to install it. But there are options that can give you the look of real stone without the cost or installation dilemma. At Window Outfittters we install cultured stone and panelized masonry products from Boral.
Wood
You’ve got even more options when using wood, since you can choose just about any color stain and/or paint. Use different colors to paint your wood shingles or siding, or stain various hues. Or stain some and paint some. Use different kinds of wood for your garage, porch, or walls. However, you should keep in mind that if you opt for genuine wood siding you’ll have much more upkeep than another siding option that requires much more maintenance. With wood you can count on having to repaint or restain every few years to keep the color looking good. Color stays vibrant for much longer if you opt for a vinyl or fiber cement siding product.
Exterior Trim
No matter what material is used on your home, the color trim is significant. White can be boring; consider using a complementary or contrasting color. Shutters are also a way of showing style. There are several colors, shapes, and designs available.
Consider an Accent Wall
One accent area on your home’s exterior is a great way to get it noticed. Installing stone on one section (like we did on the home shown above) can really add visual appeal. Consider using faux or cultured stone – visually there is almost no difference, but compared to real stone, the cost is quite a bit less. You can also use a wood accent wall with vinyl siding, making your home stand out from the others.
Resolve to have a boring home no longer! If you want your home to stand out in 2016, contact us here at Window Outfitters! We offer free in-home consultations, as well as individual appointments at our Savage showroom so you can see for yourself all the gorgeous options you have to spruce up the outside of your home.
We are a licensed MN exterior home remodeling contractor for the Minneapolis area. In addition to replacement windows and doors, we also install vinyl and fiber cement siding and masonry.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
