Tag Archives: home improvement

Lifestyle, Tips

Ways to Upgrade Your Home’s Exterior

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In Atlanta, where the housing market continues to flourish and diverse architectural styles abound, homeowners are constantly looking for ways to stand out and increase their property’s value. The city’s humid subtropical climate, which brings hot summers and mild winters, means that any investment in a home’s exterior not only boosts curb appeal but also needs to withstand the elements. Upgrading your home’s exterior can be a practical move to enhance its durability against Atlanta’s weather while improving its aesthetic appeal and market value.

1. Fresh Paint: One of the simplest yet most effective upgrades you can make to your home’s exterior is a new paint job. A fresh coat of paint can dramatically transform the look of your home, making it stand out in your neighborhood. When selecting paint, consider opting for colors that reflect the home’s style and fit naturally within the environment. High-quality exterior paints that are resistant to mold, mildew, and fading from the sun are ideal, especially in a climate like Atlanta’s, where the sun can be harsh and humidity high.

2. Siding Replacement: Replacing old or damaged siding is crucial not only for the appearance of your home but also for its insulation and structural integrity. New siding can provide better energy efficiency, reducing cooling and heating costs. If you’re in Atlanta, consider contacting an Atlanta siding replacement contractor like Pacific Exteriors LLC. They specialize in providing durable, attractive siding options that can handle the humid climate and enhance your home’s overall energy efficiency.

3. Landscaping Improvements: A well-designed landscape can significantly enhance the curb appeal of your home. Start by assessing your current landscaping and identifying areas that need improvement or a complete redesign. Incorporating native plants that thrive in Atlanta’s environment can reduce water usage and maintenance. Consider adding features like stone paths or decorative bushes to create a more appealing and welcoming front yard. Strategic landscaping not only beautifies the exterior but can also provide natural shade and cooling properties to your home.

4. Update the Roofing: The roof is one of the most critical components of your home’s exterior, protecting everything under it from the elements. Upgrading your roofing materials can improve your home’s safety, efficiency, and appearance. Look for roofing materials that are known for longevity and are capable of reflecting heat, such as metal roofing or upgraded shingles that can help in keeping your home cooler during the hot Atlanta summers. Ensure that the roofing design complements the architectural style of your home to boost aesthetic value as well.

5. Modernize Windows: Old, inefficient windows can detract from your home’s appearance and lead to higher energy bills due to poor insulation. Replacing them with modern, energy-efficient windows can dramatically change the look of your house while improving its energy performance. Choose window styles that match the architectural elements of your home and consider features like double glazing and low-E coatings to enhance thermal insulation. This upgrade not only increases the comfort of your interior spaces but also contributes to overall energy savings.

6. Upgrade Outdoor Lighting: Effective outdoor lighting can transform the exterior of your home by enhancing its architectural features and improving nighttime visibility and security. Consider adding a variety of lighting types, such as floodlights to illuminate large areas, path lights for walkways, and accent lights to highlight landscaping or architectural details. LED lights are an energy-efficient choice, offering longevity and reduced utility costs. Thoughtfully placed lighting not only makes your home safer but also creates an inviting atmosphere for both residents and visitors.

7. Install New Doors: Upgrading your home’s front door can have a significant impact on its overall curb appeal. A new door not only enhances the exterior aesthetics but also improves security and energy efficiency if you choose well-insulated materials. Look at NJ door replacement (or somewhere local to you) and consider the style and color of the door to ensure it complements the exterior design of your home. A new door can have added benefits beyond aesthetics, as it can also provide insulation and help keep your home warm and your energy bills down. Adding a new garage door that matches the front door can further unify your home’s appearance and potentially increase its value.

8. Add or Update a Deck or Patio: A deck or patio is a wonderful addition that extends your living space outdoors, providing a perfect area for relaxation and entertainment. If you already have one, consider refurbishing it with new materials or expanding it to accommodate more guests. Materials like composite decking require less maintenance and are more durable than traditional wood, making them ideal for long-term use. Adding features like built-in seating, a fire pit, or an outdoor kitchen can make these spaces more functional and inviting.

9. Enhance with Decorative Details: Small details can make a big difference in the look of your home’s exterior. Consider adding or replacing trim, shutters, or decorative stonework to enhance your home’s architectural style. These elements can add character and depth to your home’s appearance, making it stand out in the neighborhood. Choose colors and materials that complement the existing features of your home for a cohesive and polished look.

10. Improve the Driveway and Walkways: Revamping your driveway and walkways can greatly improve the approach to your home. Options like stamped concrete, pavers, or natural stone can provide both durability and aesthetic appeal. Ensure that the materials and design you choose complement the overall style of your home. Properly designed and maintained driveways and walkways not only enhance curb appeal but also improve accessibility and safety.

Conclusion: Upgrading your home’s exterior is a worthwhile investment that can enhance its value, beauty, and functionality. Whether you’re making minor adjustments or undertaking major renovations, each improvement contributes to making your home a more pleasant and efficient living space. With thoughtful planning and quality execution, these upgrades can ensure your home makes a lasting impression while serving the needs of your family for years to come. Remember to consider both aesthetic and practical aspects of each upgrade to achieve the best results for your unique home.

Lifestyle, Tips

Fix it Yourself or Call in the Experts: When to Choose One Over the Other?

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Nothing lasts forever. Inevitably, things break down, and often at the most inopportune times. So, the real question is, what do you do when something breaks? Should you try to fix the broken object yourself or seek professional help to avoid worsening the situation? Let’s explore our options.

Having the necessary skills

As individuals, we each possess many skills acquired throughout our lives. For example, some people excel at electrical work, while others are skilled carpenters. But these abilities are often more like hobbies than expert-level proficiencies.

Such a view doesn’t diminish their value. Indeed, if a task is simple enough and you have the skills to handle it, by all means, do so. Tapping into your inner DIY powers can go a long way to boosting your self-esteem and saving you money. But for more complex problems, it’s wise to rely on professionals. For example, when a furnace malfunctions, it’s best to let experienced technicians handle the repair.

In such cases, one can easily find and contact local repair companies, like those specializing in furnace repairs in Groveport, Ohio. It’s crucial to avoid attempting such repairs without proper knowledge or tools, as this could lead to disastrous consequences such as setting the house on fire.

It’s cheaper if you do it

It’s common, particularly among dads, to insist on fixing broken appliances instead of admitting they may lack the necessary skills. They often justify this by arguing that professional help is just too costly and they can fix it for free. However, if someone attempts a repair without the necessary expertise, it can result in even higher expenses than if professionals were contacted initially.

Consider this: calling in the experts may be more cost-effective than having to endure complaints from your spouse after making matters worse by trying to handle the repair on your own. After all, peace of mind is invaluable when repairing appliances and maintaining relationships in your home.

Life, Lifestyle, Tips

The Roofing Materials the Professionals Use

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Although a professional can take care of our roofing, it does not hurt knowing just what the choice of materials is so that we can have more of a say in what is used. Eagle Eye Roofing, as a professional roofing contractor, can advise what you need to ensure that you make the right choice for your circumstances. Several factors determine what materials are used. This article will consider some of the issues regarding materials so that, together with our roofing professional, we can make an informed choice.

Shingles

Roofing shingles are used to create a roof that is both watertight and resistant to wind. This combination will ensure that your roof is protected from environmental damage. In other words, bad weather. A storm is your main enemy as that can cause significant damage to a roof that has not been well constructed or maintained.

Shingles are available as asphalt, metal, clay, wood, or slate. All of these kinds will protect your home equally well. However, some of them will perform better in certain climates. This is something that a professional roofing contractor will be able to advise you on.

In comparison to their cost, the roofing shingle is a good choice when it comes to withstanding the elements of the weather and lasting for a significant period. The asphalt shingle is a popular choice among roofers and their customers because it is inexpensive and easy to fit. Apart from that, it is widely available to buy. For these reasons, it is considered the most popular roofing material in the U.S. So, if you are struggling to know what to choose for your roof, nobody is likely to advise you against this option. It depends on the look and the longevity that you are trying to achieve.

Natural Slate

For a complete contrast, a natural skifer (slate) tile will provide a natural period look, and instead of lasting around 20 years, will last for more like 100 years. That’s an entire lifetime! And despite the passing of time and changing fashions, slate will fit right in.

One obstacle to utilizing slate for some people can be the cost of the material, as it is one of the most expensive of all the roofing materials. Professionals will only recommend it if you have the budget for it. In terms of how it lasts, it can be considered a long-term investment. If you want to put money into a house, then this will be the way to achieve that. No buyer can ignore the fact that the roof is sorted for a while, even if they need to spend significant money on other areas of a house. You could forgive anyone for putting their priorities into the roof of their house. It is, after all, not just a curbside feature but an insurance company’s friend in that it protects the household fittings and contents. A good roof is a householder’s friend, too, because it keeps the heat in that we spend so much money generating.

Your roofing contractor can help source your slate. It is present in lots of places around the world. In the U.S., it is found in Vermont, New York, and Virginia.

Tiles

Like shingles, tiles come in many different forms. We primarily have a choice of clay, concrete, metal, double style roman roof tiles, or metal tiles. Not forgetting slate tiles that we mentioned above. Slate can be used in its natural form as a slate tile, or as shingles.

It should be said that it is more time-consuming to fit individual tiles than sheets of shingles, so this will invariably increase the cost of a job. This time will need to be charged for. It is a nicer look to have individual tiles, but a very close effect can be achieved with shingles. Your choice, as always, will be about affordability. Either way, you will want to put your money into having your roof fitted properly. This should be more important to you than the materials because a badly fitted roof will not prove to be effective when it comes to storms, persistent rain, or snow.

Insulation

It is only right to conclude this article talking about insulation. Without it, a roof is not complete in that it will not keep enough of the heat in to heat your home efficiently.

Glass wool remains one of the commonest insulation materials used by roofers. It is lightweight and a good insulator. It can only be used, though, where there is roofing underlay. It is best installed by a professional as it can irritate the handler during installation. Rock wool has a slightly better density and so is better for sound insulation. Spray foam insulation known as PUR is another option. This will fill every gap effortlessly. Then, if you are wanting to exploit the space that is beneath the floor, insulation boards or panels are the answer.

So, mentioned above are some materials that will be used by professionals when constructing, repairing, or insulating your roof. It is a good idea to know about them, then you will know what questions to ask when you are talking roofs with your constructor. That way, you can achieve a roof that you are both happy with.