I thought I’d share my experiences with exterior home makeovers with you guys today! After spending almost 6 months updating the outside of our home last year, I learned so much about what works and what definitely doesn’t.
Let’s start with a little reality check…
Most people spend way too much time focusing on the inside of their homes and completely forget about the outside. That was totally us a few years ago!
Our living room looked amazing while our front yard was a mess of patchy grass and faded siding. But curb appeal really matters – a UCLA study found homes with great exteriors sell for about 7% more than similar homes with blah exteriors.
And yes, our project took every bit of those 6 months. We worked tons of weekends and called in help from friends and family. It was absolutely worth all the effort – our home looks amazing now, and we’ve gotten so many compliments from neighbors. Plus, we actually use our backyard now for cookouts, stargazing, and morning coffee!
Lasting Solutions for Exterior Home Makeovers
This is exactly what I pictured when we started planning our exterior makeover earlier last year. I wanted something that would look great for years, not just a quick fix that would need redoing next summer. Since most exterior projects are pretty pricey, making sure they last is super important!
Plan Your Exterior Makeover
Start by walking around your property and taking pictures from different angles. This sounds so simple, but it really helped us see what needed the most attention. We noticed our garage door was way more faded than we realized and the front walkway had three cracked pavers we kept ignoring!
Front of our house before making a plan [before picture of messy front yard with notes]
It’s also super helpful to make a list of priorities. Our roof was actually fine, but our siding was a total mess. By figuring out what needed immediate attention versus what could wait, we saved about $3,000 right off the bat.
Oh, and ask your neighbors what they’ve done! Our neighbors two doors down replaced their siding last year and told us which contractor to avoid. That kind of info is gold.
Go for Long-Lasting Materials & Features
When picking materials, think about how long they’ll last in your climate. We almost went with wood siding because it looked so pretty, but after talking to our contractor, we realized vinyl would last way longer in our wet climate.
I made this little comparison chart when we were deciding:
| Material | Lifespan | Maintenance | Cost |
| Vinyl siding | 20-40 years | Almost none | $$ |
| Fiber cement | 50+ years | Low | $$$ |
| Wood siding | 20-40 years | High | $$$ |
| Brick | 100+ years | Very low | $$$$ |
We ended up going with fiber cement even though it cost more upfront. The 50+ year lifespan sold us! Plus it looks practically identical to traditional wood siding but doesn’t rot or need painting every few years.
That’s why, choosing the right partner for this upgrade is critical, and a reputable siding replacement company can guide homeowners through the selection of materials, colors, and installation options tailored to the structure’s needs.
For our front door, we chose a fiberglass door instead of wood. It looks exactly like wood (most people can’t tell the difference) but it won’t warp or crack over time. It was one of those little decisions that made a big impact.
Always do Weatherproofing and Protection On the Home Exterior
This part isn’t fancy or fun to talk about, but it matters so much! We spent a whole weekend just caulking and sealing everything. Windows, door frames, where different materials meet – all of it needed attention.
We also added extra flashing around the chimney and roof edges. Our contractor told us that water damage is the number one reason for exterior repairs. A $7 tube of caulk can save thousands in water damage repairs!
And can we talk about gutters for a second? We replaced our old aluminum ones with seamless gutters and added gutter guards. It seemed like overkill at the time, but after the first big fall storm when all the neighbor’s gutters were overflowing with leaves and ours were working perfectly, I was so happy we splurged.
Focus on Landscaping and Hardscaping
This was my favorite part of the whole project! We tore out most of our thirsty lawn and replaced it with native plants that barely need watering. According to our water bill, we’re using about 40% less water now.
We worked with a local nursery to choose plants that would look good year-round. They suggested mixing evergreens with plants that flower at different times, so there’s always something pretty to look at.
For hardscaping, we added a small paver patio in the backyard. The difference it made was huge! That space went from a muddy corner we never used to our favorite spot for morning coffee.
If you’re on a budget, start with a good pathway to your front door and maybe one seating area. You can always add more later!
Add Maintenance-Free Stuff
We looked for things that would look good without needing constant attention. The solar landscape lights were a perfect example – they automatically come on at night, and we never have to change bulbs or worry about wiring.
Our back deck is made from composite decking instead of wood. It cost about 30% more than pressure-treated wood would have, but we don’t have to stain it every year or worry about splinters. With two kids running around barefoot, that’s a huge win!
We also chose a mailbox with a weather-resistant coating and outdoor furniture made from powder-coated aluminum that won’t rust.
Opt for Eco-Friendly and Energy-Saving Upgrades
This part of our makeover actually saves us money every month! We replaced our old windows with energy-efficient ones that keep the house way cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Our electric bill dropped by about $45 a month!
We also added two rain barrels to collect water for the garden. They were super easy to install and connect to our downspouts. Now we have free water for the garden all summer long!
The biggest investment was adding solar panels to our south-facing roof section. I’m not gonna lie – they were expensive upfront (about $15,000 after tax credits), but they’re already paying for themselves. Our electric bill in summer went from about $180 to just $30!
Expert Tips for Exterior Home Makeovers
I’m definitely not an expert, but I asked our contractor for his top tips for homeowners. Here’s what he shared:
“Never skimp on prep work.” He said most people want to rush to the fun part of picking colors and finishes, but properly preparing surfaces makes all the difference in how long things last.
“Think about maintenance before you buy.” This was so true! We almost bought beautiful copper gutters until we realized they need regular maintenance to keep that pretty patina.
“Don’t forget about lighting.” We added path lights, updated the porch light, and put some uplighting on our big oak tree. At night, it makes the house look like something from a magazine!
We also learned that exterior paint colors look way different in real life than they do on those tiny sample cards. We painted big cardboard sheets with our top three color choices and propped them against the house at different times of day. The color we thought we loved looked terrible in afternoon light!
Conclusion
What a difference half a year makes! That exterior above was one we actually avoided looking at when we pulled into the driveway (and don’t even get me started on the water damage we discovered behind that old siding). Not anymore! We actually find ourselves sitting in the car for an extra minute just admiring how nice everything looks now.
The best part is knowing we won’t have to tackle another big exterior project for many years. By choosing durable materials and doing proper weatherproofing, we’ve saved ourselves tons of future headaches and repair bills.
If you’re planning your own exterior makeover, start with a good plan, invest in quality materials where it counts, and don’t forget about the less glamorous stuff like weatherproofing. Your future self will thank you!
And let me know if you have any questions about our makeover process! I took about a million pictures and learned so much along the way.
