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5 Tips for a Gorgeous Home Exterior That Lasts
A remodeling expert shares how to keep the outside of your house looking good for years to come
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Perhaps your home is nestled on a historic block of charming bungalows, or you’re part of an enclave of intricate, delicate Victorians. Whatever your home’s exterior style, preserving its splendor without constant upkeep is key. Just ask exterior specialist Joe Danz, owner of Boston Exterior Remodeling in Roslindale, Massachusetts. He’s teamed with Boral Building Products to help you navigate the world of siding, trim and other exterior elements designed to keep your home looking lovely.
1. Install Sturdy, Eye-Catching Siding
Siding can do wonders for your curb appeal, whether you use stone, scalloped shingles or classic shakes. The key to siding success lies in materials that look good even after being exposed to the elements. “There are products out there now that are less expensive than real wood but mimic it closely and perform better,” Danz says. “You don’t have to sacrifice looks to get quality.”
He suggests using engineered composite shingles that mimic natural wood, such as the ones seen on this traditional gabled home. Historically, this look would’ve been created with real cedar shingles, which can require costly maintenance every eight to 12 years, Danz says. Moisture-resistant engineered alternatives are designed to ward off thermal expansion, rot and fading. Also, some come in panelized systems, making them easier and faster to install than traditional cedar.
Siding can do wonders for your curb appeal, whether you use stone, scalloped shingles or classic shakes. The key to siding success lies in materials that look good even after being exposed to the elements. “There are products out there now that are less expensive than real wood but mimic it closely and perform better,” Danz says. “You don’t have to sacrifice looks to get quality.”
He suggests using engineered composite shingles that mimic natural wood, such as the ones seen on this traditional gabled home. Historically, this look would’ve been created with real cedar shingles, which can require costly maintenance every eight to 12 years, Danz says. Moisture-resistant engineered alternatives are designed to ward off thermal expansion, rot and fading. Also, some come in panelized systems, making them easier and faster to install than traditional cedar.
2. Add Character With Durable Details
Attractive exterior details complete a home, providing a sense of polish. Danz favors copper accents and notes that black window frames are trending. “Make sure your moldings and trim match your home’s style,” he says.
The fresh white engineered trim, railings and columns seen here, for example, highlight the lines of this gambrel-barn-style home. A corrosion-resistant copper gutter adds a bit of shine. Investing in resilient materials like these can save you time and money in the long run, Danz says. A bonus: Durable, man-made materials are often low-maintenance, letting you save the weekends for fun instead of extra work.
Attractive exterior details complete a home, providing a sense of polish. Danz favors copper accents and notes that black window frames are trending. “Make sure your moldings and trim match your home’s style,” he says.
The fresh white engineered trim, railings and columns seen here, for example, highlight the lines of this gambrel-barn-style home. A corrosion-resistant copper gutter adds a bit of shine. Investing in resilient materials like these can save you time and money in the long run, Danz says. A bonus: Durable, man-made materials are often low-maintenance, letting you save the weekends for fun instead of extra work.
3. Choose Complementary Colors That Perform
Color is an opportunity to let your personality shine. Exterior hues can either be subtle and classic or bold and contemporary. “I always start by considering the geographic area and the style of the home,” Danz says. “Some houses and regions deserve unconventional colors, and sometimes neutral tones are more appropriate.” On the coastal-style home seen here, bright white trim contrasts with light gray engineered shingles and accessories for a timeless look.
Engineered siding and trim often come prefinished in white, gray and brown. If you choose a paintable option, use a high-quality, durable, exterior-specific paint that resists mold, mildew and dirt. Danz recommends using a long-lasting hybrid paint-stain. Your contractor can help you choose the best paint for your specific material and region.
Color is an opportunity to let your personality shine. Exterior hues can either be subtle and classic or bold and contemporary. “I always start by considering the geographic area and the style of the home,” Danz says. “Some houses and regions deserve unconventional colors, and sometimes neutral tones are more appropriate.” On the coastal-style home seen here, bright white trim contrasts with light gray engineered shingles and accessories for a timeless look.
Engineered siding and trim often come prefinished in white, gray and brown. If you choose a paintable option, use a high-quality, durable, exterior-specific paint that resists mold, mildew and dirt. Danz recommends using a long-lasting hybrid paint-stain. Your contractor can help you choose the best paint for your specific material and region.
4. Invest in Double-Duty Windows and Doors
Windows and doors also provide a wonderful opportunity to enhance your exterior design, but make sure they’re built to last. Consider strong fiberglass or aluminum options, or wood ones reinforced to resist harsh weather. And if you live in a hurricane zone, work with your contractor to choose impact-resistant, hurricane-proof styles.
“I use a lot of capitals with trim and dentil molding to set off major windows and doorways,” Danz says. He also likes to use large, circular windows in the main gable of Victorian houses, which are common in his region. Also consider contrasting hues for a pleasing visual statement. Black shutters and white windows and doors pop against the blue-gray shingles on the home seen here.
Windows and doors also provide a wonderful opportunity to enhance your exterior design, but make sure they’re built to last. Consider strong fiberglass or aluminum options, or wood ones reinforced to resist harsh weather. And if you live in a hurricane zone, work with your contractor to choose impact-resistant, hurricane-proof styles.
“I use a lot of capitals with trim and dentil molding to set off major windows and doorways,” Danz says. He also likes to use large, circular windows in the main gable of Victorian houses, which are common in his region. Also consider contrasting hues for a pleasing visual statement. Black shutters and white windows and doors pop against the blue-gray shingles on the home seen here.
5. Embrace the Past and the Present
Stay true to your home’s original architectural style to achieve an exterior look with staying power. However, that doesn’t mean you have to use old-world materials — many modern options suit historic designs and can perform better over time. Take this coastal-style home with its gabled front porch, for instance. The neutral color palette and design elements are classic in aesthetic, but the engineered siding and trim are built to last longer than their historical counterparts.
Prolong the life and luster of your home’s exterior using Danz’s tips — then sit back and enjoy the view.
More: To learn more about Boral Building Products, visit the company’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Stay true to your home’s original architectural style to achieve an exterior look with staying power. However, that doesn’t mean you have to use old-world materials — many modern options suit historic designs and can perform better over time. Take this coastal-style home with its gabled front porch, for instance. The neutral color palette and design elements are classic in aesthetic, but the engineered siding and trim are built to last longer than their historical counterparts.
Prolong the life and luster of your home’s exterior using Danz’s tips — then sit back and enjoy the view.
More: To learn more about Boral Building Products, visit the company’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Boral™ Building Products, a Westlake company, has built its reputation by offering quality building products and... Läs mer
Boral™ Building Products, a Westlake company, has built its reputation by offering quality building products and... Läs mer
I agree! So very true!
20 years ago we asked for an estimate to "side" our home with Cedar . We received an estimate of $24,000.00. We have a 1850 log home ,square footage of appr 1,800 at the time . My husband, father and myself over the course of 6 weekends resided it in Cedar and insulated for appr $4500.00
Bravo!