Exterior home renovation is one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your Southern Alberta home. Renovations and remodeling create a home that is more appealing and welcoming, revitalizing its dignity at the same time.
But as a Lethbridge homeowner, you may find it quite daunting to decide what to do and what to save for next year. Well, everything is equally important in terms of beautification. Still, when it is about making the structure stronger, appealing to buyers, and stunning for rental ads, some ideas work as “love at first sight” factors.
In this article, we have discussed 12 such home exterior renovation ideas with the largest ROI. These ideas will make your home a friendly, high-value property in the market and a hot cake for families looking for a place to live.
In Alberta and surrounding areas, on average, the following home renos offer the best return on investment:
- Interior paint – 80 -110%
- Kitchen renovations – 75-95%
- Asphalt roof – 75-95%
- Windows – 75-90%
- Bathroom renovations – 50-75%
Which may translate into, Spend $2,000 on fresh paint → increase home value by $1,600–$2,200. Paint often pays off more than you spend, especially if it’s a modern, neutral color. Which eventually applies to every type of renovation work.
However, exterior gets priority in this calculation because social appreciations are often based on the exterior, as many neighbours would hardly visit you in an entire decade. So let’s dig deep into 12 Exterior Renovation ideas.
12 Home Exterior Renovation Ideas That Get Noticed
House renovation is crucial for going a long way with a home. An inviting exterior will preserve your home’s resale value and make it look more extraordinary.
1. Install Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber-cement siding gained popularity a few decades ago and has revolutionized the house siding industry. It offers the look of authentic wood siding, even with a lookalike textured wood grain. However, unlike wood, it is fire-resistant. Fiber-cement siding is easy to paint and affordable compared to its high resale value. It is one of the best options for siding your home. To get help, you can follow expert recommendations from a Lethbridge Custom Home Builder near you in Southern Alberta.
2. Use a Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting is like a makeover for a home exterior. So don’t forget to include painting as an essential part of your home exterior renovation to make your house appealing and new-looking from every angle.
Remember, the paint on your house has a deep impact on the first impression of your house. A fresh coat of paint can end rust, dirt, grime, scratches, and water stains. Choose a color carefully before the paint job.
A bold color may look great for a while. However, try to choose a color that is always charming for the eyes. There are three main types of exterior paint formulas: acrylic, latex, and oil-based. The best type for your home depends on a variety of factors, including local climate and aesthetic preferences.
3. Update Your Roof
Updating your roof changes the way your home looks, even from the street. This increases its curb appeal, which has a positive impact on your home’s resale value.
Unfortunately, most homeowners neglect their roofs, which can lead to an enormous number of additional issues in the coming years. If left unchecked, even minor issues, such as fine leaks or very tiny cracks, can cause serious consequences in the long run, ending up as hefty price tags for extensive damage. For an updated and more functional roof, you may consider ideas like
- Installing better roof ventilation
- Replacing the soffit
- Switching to high-quality roofing material
- Improving Roof Insulation
- Adding a rooftop deck
- Installing new gutters or cleaning the clogged gutter with expert help.
4. Add a Porch
A porch is an outdoor structure attached to a house and built near an entryway, such as the front door. A porch is basically an extended roof with decking below. These come without solid walls and may have removable screens or window panels. Porches are usually furnished with living room furniture. You may add a new front door to decorate your porch with a fresher vibe. As a colonial style, it reflects retro elegance and provides a more home-like feeling.
5. Enlarge Your Windows
Waking up at 3:00 am, want some fresh breath in the middle of the night? A large, sliding window partners the best. As an essential part of the architecture, windows also provide natural light and air to buildings and contribute to their visual appeal. Especially the large windows provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors by connecting a room to the outside. You get the scenic beauty of the landscape with protection from extreme weather. Windows on the front wall give your house a more cozy and sophisticated look.
From this point of view, you may enlarge your windows during renovation work. You may change your old-school windows into sliding windows that are easier to use and provide more security than the older ones.
But, before making any major change, discuss the floor or whole home plan with your renovation contractor. Make informed decisions after evaluating the USA’s regulatory code about window sizes. table below may help you to know how much is “not too much” for a window according to Article 9.9.10.1 of the Alberta Building Code.
Minimum Egress Window Size Requirements (NBC Alberta)
| Requirement | Minimum & Details |
| Clear opening area | ≥ 0.35 m² (3.77 ft²) |
| Opening width/height | ≥ 380 mm (15 in) |
| Sill height from the floor | ≤ 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) |
| Operability | No tools/keys needed; stays open securely |
| Window well clearance (basement) | ≥ 760 mm (2.5 ft) clear space |
6. Update Your Driveway
Imagine a slippery, cracked, old, heaving, and tilting walkway in a lawn in front of a well-maintained house. Does it match? Absolutely not. In addition, a slippery driveway may cause severe accidents both with and without a vehicle. Old, cracked, and heaving driveways decrease the beauty of your house, which will negatively impact the resale value of your house in the future. Consider updating your driveway with new pavers, added design details, and added edging. A new gate, driveway lighting, and multi-colored pavers with different patterns can upgrade your driveway to its best.
7. Add Exterior Lighting
There are several good reasons to add functional exterior lighting to your home. Exterior lighting increases your home’s property value and safety measures. Lighting also plays an important role in family gatherings and other important occasions. Walkway lighting allows your family members and guests to see clearly and avoid falling.
Burglars usually carry out their illegal activities at night. Bright exterior lighting prevents intruders from trespassing onto the property.
8. Enhance Your Walkway
A walkway offers advantages like curb appeal and safety in design. It is also the easiest way to get to the front of a home. Paver walkways play a significant role in modern architecture and are one of the most essential elements of any property.
However, check for typical walkway issues. Holes or depressions, cracked blocks, and spalling are very common. Take the initials to solve the found problems and enhance your walkway.
If you haven’t installed one yet, include this in your home exterior renovation. Remember that asphalt is a versatile and long-lasting option for constructing walkways.
9. Replace Your Garage Doors
A warped or rusted door, for example, will not work as effectively as it once did. It also won’t keep out the elements or help protect your garage from thieves and other intruders. If your garage door has structural damage, you’ll likely want to look into having it replaced. Depending on your budget, you may choose from versatile garage door options like carriage doors, sheet metal doors, roll-up screens, sliding Doors, or glass doors.
10. Fence Your Property
Having a good choice of fence is important for the added protection of your family and the property. Also, if you are looking for clients to sell your land to, you have to impress them with the privacy they will be enjoying once they purchase your property.
A poorly chosen fence, such as a chain link fence or ropes, offers very little security and privacy to a home; hence, clients might backfire. Bamboo fences, on the other hand, shouldn’t be used in cold climates as they can quickly rot away, and they are less effective as someone can just break in easily. That being said, you need to think critically about the reasons for your need for the installation of a fence in your home renovation project.
11. Add a Deck
Both decks and patios are outdoor living space options. A patio is built directly on the ground, so it doesn’t need a rallying. Patios consist of a single level. In contrast, decks are elevated off the ground.
Decks consist of many levels and are built from wood, composite wood, or vinyl siding. They need to rally for safety. Decks are usually located at the back of the house, and they overlook the backyard.
Some homeowners prefer a deck as an outdoor living option. Some prefer patios. Decks are suitable for big families. In contrast, patios are suitable for comparatively small or nuclear families.
12. Focus on Eco-Friendly Materials
Eco-friendly materials such as ICF and SIP provide better insulation. On the other hand, natural materials like bamboo, cork, and low-VOC paints can reduce your renovation costs. Materials from native plants unleash the greatest sustainability. At the same time, these materials will make your home a green one. Many studies have proved that green homes sell faster and for more money.
Remodel Your Home Exterior with K2 Prairie Builders
K2 Prairie Builders is a family-owned and operated business that has been exclusively providing high-quality contracting services. As a leading provider of remodeling and renovation in the Lethbridge and surrounding areas they are dedicated to providing clients with quality workmanship and outstanding customer service.
One Call That Can Transform Your Home
Home exterior renovations boost your confidence about your family’s safety. Renovating your home exterior elevates the standard of your everyday living. It increases the resale value of your property by improving its curb appeal.
For a planned, effective, most importantly cost-effective home reno in Lethbridge, Make a call @(403) 421-0201 to talk with Mike & Maria Thompson, Owners K2 Prairie Builders or get a free quote by visiting the link below, It is never too late to take a step to make a home more beautiful just as your imagingations are!