When remodeling your home, first thoughts may center on rooms of the home that are outdated or in need of rehab. Indeed, these are important changes that must be attended to, but perhaps, you might consider remodeling your outdoor exterior as well, as it is the most visible area of your home which everyone sees passing by or visiting.
Decks
Your deck is one of the most visible areas outside your home, and if it’s deteriorating, it can truly be an eyesore. Replacing your old, worn out, or rotting deck with a new one can improve the appearance of your home immensely.
According to Al Rosa Construction Inc., “Popular materials to use in new decks are cedar or redwood, attractive woods that are resistant to pests, cracking, and warping.” They are long-lasting woods, durable, and can withstand even the harshest winters for many years.
Lawns
Your front lawn is the first thing visitors see and should be well-maintained. If the lawn is spotty, seed needed areas with grass seed of the same variety as the existing lawn. If the lawn has gotten beyond repair, re-sod it with the variety of grass that will be appropriate to your climate. This can be a bit expensive, but it will be a great investment in the long run.
Driveways
If your driveway is unattractive due to wear and is cracking, you have options here. You can elect to reseal the cracks which will be good for the short-term functionally, but it will still leave it rather unsightly in appearance. You could repave the whole driveway, which will brighten the look and provide many more years of service before any maintenance is required. An additional option is to replace the entire driveway. Though this is the costliest option, it would be the best choice in terms of durability, and if you so choose, could provide your home with a whole new exterior appearance.
One driveway that garners rave reviews is a cobblestone driveway. Many DIYers find that doing it themselves is not a complicated procedure and can help save a great deal of money, and the satisfaction of doing it themselves is very gratifying for those that undertake this project.
Materials needed are coarse sand, a cobblestone paver system, crushed limestone, epoxy grout mix, and rebar. Tools needed, which are not commonly owned but can be rented, include a diamond blade saw, cement mixer, and vibratory plate compactor. Start to finish, this job can take upwards of 2 or more days. But the look of this new driveway can prove to be a refreshing look to your home’s exterior appearance, and can help improve the property value immensely, more than making up for the construction cost and time spent in installation.
