Enhance Curb Appeal With Exterior Remodeling Projects

Apr 05, 2021

Now that we have made it through another winter, it is a good time to take a walk around the house to do an evaluation of our home’s exterior, specifically how it looks in terms of its appeal to those that pass by. With that in mind, Wendy Cline, J&B Construction owner, offers suggestions on updating various exterior features to improve your home’s appearance.

Roofing System

If you notice the shingles on your roof are degrading or missing, there’s evidence of moss or rot, or your roof is leaking, don’t hesitate to opt for roof replacement. Popular roofing material options include asphalt, metal, and cedar shake. Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing materials on the market and are available in a variety of shapes, heights, colors, and patterns. Metal roofing offers fire protection and is less prone to damage. Cedar shake is known for its strength and creates a natural and timeless look.

“A newly installed roof will add substantial value to your home’s curb appeal and yield one of the highest ROI rates compared to other exterior home remodeling projects.” Wendy said. “This is because not only is a new roof system aesthetically pleasing, it’s also the home’s first line of defense against the elements and is vital to your home’s insulation system.”

Windows

Another key consideration of curb appeal is your home’s windows, as there are a myriad of styles that can be incorporated to compliment your home’s architecture. For instance, bow and bay windows make a sophisticated design statement and offer a ledge for growing plants; double-hung windows are often associated with traditional style homes, making them a time-honored classic; casement windows are slightly more modern and are perfect for letting in a cool breeze; awning windows are convenient if you want to safely open a window while it’s raining; slider windows are simple in design, making them particularly durable; and picture windows capitalize on the view as they don’t have any inner framing or hinges to impede your line of sight.

“Apart from visuals, new windows can drastically reduce a home’s heating and cooling bills by substantially increasing a home’s energy efficiency,” said Wendy. “If your home’s windows are difficult to operate, the framing is peeling or cracking, or if condensation continuously forms in between the panes of glass, you’ll want to replace them and maximize your home’s curb appeal.”

Siding

When you see a home’s exterior for the first time, the color of the home, i.e., the color of the siding, is often one of your first observations. Trailing close behind, is the condition of the siding. So, if your siding is noticeably dirty or faded, you’ll want to take the time to clean it or apply a fresh coat of paint. When selecting a siding color, it’s best to reference your home’s existing color scheme or draw inspiration from your neighbors.

However, if your siding has passed its life expectancy and requires more than just maintenance, then replacement is encouraged. “This is especially true if cracks, gaps, moisture and/or mold are present,” Wendy said. Popular siding material options that are exceptionally durable and require little maintenance, include vinyl siding, fiber cement siding, and LP® Smartside® siding, which is an engineered wood product. “New siding will significantly transform the look and feel of an entire home, thus boosting your home’s curb appeal,” she said. “Beyond aesthetics, new siding serves to protect your home against the elements and keeps your home properly insulated.”

Front Door

Your home’s front door, which is considered a home’s focal point, is one of the first elements a visitor or passerby notices about a home’s exterior. Therefore, it’s important it receives the love and attention it deserves. “If your front door is cracking, warping, splitting, or showing other signs of aging, consider replacing it with a new front door. More specifically, front doors made from wood, steel, or fiberglass are in high demand,” said Wendy.

Wood doors are aesthetically versatile as they can be painted in any color imaginable and be cut and styled to meet specific design goals. Steel doors are particularly strong and offer advanced security. Fiberglass doors are highly energy efficient and can come in an array of colors, patterns, and finishes. “To draw even more attention to your front door, you could give it a pop of color that falls in line with your home’s color scheme,” she said. “Don’t forget to incorporate your personal taste as well by adding a decoration to the door, such as a wreath or flag.”

To improve your home’s curb appeal and give your exterior a fresh appearance, call J&B Construction at 262-437-0537 or complete our online contact form.

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Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.