Exterior House Renovations – 18 Ways to Reinvent Your Home

Your home’s exterior is a reflection of you and is the first impression you offer to anyone visiting. Curb appeal always factors into property value, and even a basic exterior house remodel can take the average, somewhat boring new build to the next level.

If you have the budget for a complete exterior renovation, the transformation will be obvious, but even small changes through a simple refresh of material or paint can have a big impact. So, let’s get right into the 18 best ideas to improve the look of your property with an exterior house renovation of any scope.

1. Upgrade Your Siding

We’ve put this exterior house remodel tip first because it’s the one that will bring about the biggest transformation. And the good news is, siding has evolved drastically, so there are tons of materials, colours, and patterns to match your design preference. These are some favourites:

James Hardie

Simply put, James Hardie siding gives homes the lovely look of wood siding with the durability of fiber cement. The material is available in a bunch of eye-catching colours and will stand up to the elements beautifully. Further customize the look by installing it vertically or by using James Hardie shingles.

Vinyl

When your exterior remodeling project calls for affordability and durability, vinyl siding is the perfect option. For added impact, choose multiple colours and different installation techniques.

Just because it’s budget-friendly doesn’t mean you have to go with the traditional horizontal lap profile. Although that looks great, homeowners can go for a Dutch lap design that adds interest with shadow lines or board and batten styles for a more modern look.

Cedar & Engineered Wood

For that real wood look but manufactured to cut out potential headaches like warping and splitting, engineered wood is a top choice. While you can get engineered cedar siding, the real thing has a definite appeal for its timeless appearance and pest resistance.

Wood siding flexibility, whether engineered or natural, allows you to create a log cabin look, a modern farmhouse style, the rich colour of real cedar siding, or a traditional design, depending on the material you use and how it’s installed.

Metal, Aluminum, & Longboard

If you’re planning an exterior house renovation that skews modern or industrial, metal siding is definitely the answer. Steel and aluminum siding come in striking colors like black and charcoal or even in styles that feel like real wood, by using Lux panel siding. Imagine what you can design with all these choices!

To take the durability up a notch, you can also improve exteriors with longboard siding. It combines the rich wood look and aluminum’s weather-resistance.

Easy Trim Panels

Looking for something truly different? Consider adding an EasyTrim quick panel system to your exterior. This type of siding typically covers larger sections and doesn’t overlap like more traditional installation methods. The result is something modern, durable, and visually striking.

AL13 Covering

Like EasyTrim, AL13 siding tends toward panels rather than long, thin siding strips. You get a more modern design due to limited seams, the choice of lots of colours, and enviable water drainage. And if you really want to mix things up, combine this system with other metal siding for a truly custom design.

Before you decide on one of the above siding choices, know that replacing all of your siding is one of the most expensive parts of the remodeling process, so you want to get it right from the get-go. That, along with our next suggestion…

2. Renovate the Roof

Another item that will quickly elevate the exterior of a home is changing the roof. While we don’t recommend replacing a roof just for the sake of design (it’s also expensive), if your roof has seen better days, why not get a new one?

New roofing will safeguard a home’s interior against leaks and be more energy efficient, but it can look great, too. Roofing materials are advanced and can be the typical shingles we all know and love in a vibrant colour or something more architectural, like clay tiles, concrete, or metal.

If you’re on the fence about upgrading your roof, the fact that new roofing offers one of the best returns on your investment come selling time might sway you.

3. Add a Porch or Deck

Is the front of your house feeling (and looking) a little flat and boring? Adding a front porch will make the facade more interesting, and most homeowners wouldn’t say no to expanding their outdoor living space. Choose ornate railings, wood accents, and a charming porch swing to complete the look.

4. Dive into Landscaping

If curb appeal and overall neighbourhood impressiveness are deciding factors for you, it makes sense to focus your landscaping efforts on the front yard and leave the backyard for later. Your goal should be to plan out a cohesive design that includes things like planters full of low-maintenance greenery for year-round colour, dedicated, well-built walkways, and flowers that will add colour to the exterior when in bloom.

5. Change Out Doors or Windows

Outdated doors and windows detract from the beauty of your home. Although it can involve a substantial budget commitment, bringing these home features into the 21st century is good for more than just aesthetics.

You’ll quickly be impressed with the modern and sleek look, and because it’s almost guaranteed that new windows and doors will be better insulated, the home’s energy efficiency will definitely increase. And if security is a concern, this change will address that as well.

If this feels too pricey for you, taking some white or black paint to the window trim and painting the front door a bright colour can do wonders on a budget.

6. Upgrade Exterior Lighting

In this case, we’re not talking about adding a bunch of Christmas lights. Instead, replace dim or non-existent lighting in favour of modern, well-placed ones. Aim to shed new light on your favourite outdoor features, and keep the actual fixtures minimal so that they don’t steal focus.

Not only will you showcase the house in its best light, you’ll increase the overall ambience and safety.

7. Add or Replace Shutters

Not all homes are suited to shutters, but if you have some tired-looking ones, replacing or re-painting them is a quick way to bring style and colour to your home. Shutters don’t have to be old-fashioned, either. Imagine the newfound symmetry you’ll create if you choose to add some!

8. Introduce Accessories

In some cases, little touches make a big difference to your curb appeal. As a bonus, adding accessories as part of an exterior house remodel is something you can often do yourself for relatively cheap. A new, brightly coloured mailbox will add style, backlit address numbers add a more luxurious feel, and a bold or seasonal door wreath or doormat makes the entire home more welcoming.

9. Affix Stone Veneer Accents & Other Accents

To liven up your house’s exterior without resorting to full masonry, consider adding some statement stone as a textural accent. If your house already has a chimney, columns, or defined entryways, the decision of where to place the stone is easy. And since you’re not covering everything with stone, this option is actually fairly cost-effective and offers big results.

10. Completely Redo the Colour Palette

Revamping the colour scheme is another high-impact idea to change the exterior. Go with colours you like and can live with long-term, but earthy tones that honour surrounding nature, monochromatic modern palettes, and bold contrasts are good places to start.

The best approaches for colour schemes based on your home’s architecture are:

Modern – Sleek and minimal are ideal, think black, bright white, slate gray, or charcoal. Choose a finish that’s matte or muted to complete the contemporary look.

Traditional – You’ll have better aesthetic luck with warmer hues like beige, cream, taupe, soft gray, or rich, earthy tones like green, navy, and burgundy.

Before you start changing anything, though, here are a few tips:

• Always do a test. Colour changes are all but guaranteed depending on what the weather is doing and the time of day.
• Coordinate your new colour scheme with things you can’t easily or cost-effectively change. You ideally want your palette to match things like the siding and the roof well.
• Don’t forget about resale. While it might sound good at renovation time, using bright, bold, or even wacky colours can deter some buyers who prefer more neutral choices.

11. Change the Garage Door

Especially if your garage door is front-facing and it’s seen better days, a replacement will go a long way toward your exterior house renovation. Take the opportunity to increase both style and automation, and just make sure it matches your new colour palette!

12. Add or Reinvent Walkways and Driveways

A weed-filled, cracked walkway or driveway doesn’t leave a very good first impression. You might be surprised at how many different styles are now available. Which one will fit your budget and make just the right statement?

Concrete

Concrete is surprisingly versatile. On a basic level, standard poured concrete is clean, durable, and easy on your wallet. Stamped concrete allows some creativity with patterns that mimic everything from tile to stone. And, for added interest, concrete can be coloured for something totally custom.

Asphalt

Black asphalt is really the ideal solution for homeowners low on time and with a limited budget. It’s the standard for a reason, and if you want to move away from that, eco-friendly recycled asphalt blends are also an option.

Pavers

Pavers come in all materials and shapes – so many that you might have trouble deciding between brick, concrete, interlocking, and natural stone. Brick tends to be a classic choice with timeless warm red-brown tones, concrete has the widest selection of colours and styles, and a stone like granite or travertine gives off definite upscale vibes.

Keep in mind that when you choose interlocking designs rather than solid surfaces, replacing a single damaged paver is a breeze.

Gravel

In general, gravel is best-suited to a rustic aesthetic. It’s more affordable than most of the other options, and nowadays, stabilized gravel grids mean less annoying shifting of the gravel over time.

Cobblestone

Want more of a European look? Invest in traditional granite cobblestones or even tumbled ones that come already aged so that they don’t look out of place against your historic or traditional home.

When you factor in all the designs you can achieve using things like mosaics and mixing materials, your driveways and walkways are definitely a fun place to flex your creative muscles.

13. Create Outdoor Seating Areas

Having a meal or relaxing outside is pleasurable from spring to fall. Set up seating or dining areas on your deck, patio, or lawn with stylish furniture, shade, and features like a fire pit to really add to your family’s outdoor enjoyment. The best outdoor seating areas will combine function and style seamlessly.

14. Address Fencing and Gates

Broken fences, chipped paint, and crooked gates definitely detract from the outward appearance of a house. The tightening of bolts and a fresh coat of paint is a great start, but if you have the money and your current gate or fence is beyond saving, new or even gently used replacements will make a big difference.

15. Add Green Features

Why not factor your environmental footprint into the exterior renovation? Increasing the long-term value, appealing to more buyers, lowering utility bills, and enhancing curb appeal are all good things!

Solar Panels

Add solar panels anywhere that makes sense on your property, but the roof is a popular choice for the unobstructed sun access. You’ll be less reliant on traditional energy sources, and you may get a tax credit or rebate to offset the expense.

Green Roofs

If you’re not familiar with the term, a green or living roof involves planting grasses, succulents, or other hardy vegetation directly on a rooftop system. These are best applied to flat or gently sloping surfaces. And, green roofs aren’t only about good looks, they:

• Provide natural insulation
• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Extend the lifespan – the underlying roof membrane isn’t exposed to the elements

16. Update Trim & Gutters

These seemingly small details can actually really modernize and refresh a house’s exterior. Replace broken trim and paint it for maximum impact around your windows and doors. Choose fiber cement or PVC for the lowest amount of maintenance.

Rusty, sagging gutters just aren’t a good look for any home, and that’s not taking into consideration the potential water damage issues. Enhance your home’s drainage system with seamless aluminum or copper gutters that are extremely durable, or K-style gutters with flat bottoms and decorative fronts – both are more modern choices. Half-round gutters are a better fit with historic and traditional-style homes. Plus, you can update your downspouts at the same time.

17. Water Features

Outdoor water features offer amazing relaxation and sound-dampening qualities while improving the overall appearance of the exterior. From koi ponds to waterfalls, get as creative as you want and add a small area where you can sit and reflect for added functionality.

18. Brighten Things Up with Outdoor Art

Art is another flexible way to add drama and interest to an outdoor space. The art can reflect your personal style and generally won’t interfere with resale because it can be changed or removed fairly easily.

Done correctly, outdoor art can highlight certain architectural features of the home, be a focal point, and even spark joy, so there aren’t many downsides. When you’re exploring the options for outdoor artistic touches, consider colourful, hand-painted murals, freestanding metal sculptures, or art-adorned removable tiles.

How to Update an Old House Exterior

Older homes come with a somewhat unique set of challenges. If you happen to own a Heritage-listed home, you might even need a permit or approval to change something as simple as a paint colour. These are some additional items to watch out for:

• Retain the character. Chances are good that you purchased your home because it’s full of quirkiness and architectural features, so don’t do away with those. You can still modernize with paint or accessories without sacrificing a piece of history.
• When replacing the roof or siding is part of your exterior house renovation, know that it’s possible to mimic the original material and texture with modern-day options.
• Make combining old charm with modern efficiency your ultimate goal. As long as you keep the style appropriate, swap single-pane windows for double-paned ones, change out old, drafty doors for insulated ones, and replace broken and tired siding with energy-efficient siding like fiber cement with a convincing wood finish.
• Consider the era when augmenting your landscaping. Mid-Century Modern homes come to life with geometric pathways and clean lines, Victorian spaces pair well with cobblestone accents and formal (and somewhat fussy) flower gardens, and Craftsman houses work best with natural stone walkways, stained wooden fences for a more natural look, and low-maintenance plants like shrubs.

Exterior House Remodeling – Typical Costs

Obviously, many factors go into determining the cost of an exterior house renovation, such as the home’s size, the scope of work, the materials, and whether or not a professional installer is required.

In the interest of being general, this is how much you can expect it to cost to update the exterior of your house based on certain elements:

Siding

In Canada, siding ranges from $7.50 to $65 per square foot, which translates to $11,250 to $97,500 for the average 1,500 square foot home. Here’s more of a material breakdown from cheapest to most expensive:

Siding Type	Average Price per Square Foot
Vinyl	$7.50 to $10
Engineered Wood	$8 to $14
James Hardie	$10 to $12.75
EasyTrim	$10 to 25
Aluminum	$10 to $30
Metal (Steel)	$12 to $15
Cedar	$13 to $15
Lux Panel	$30 to $50
AL13	$38
Longboard	$45 to $65

Windows and Doors

Expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $2,000 per window, and specialty options for things like oddly-shaped windows and stained glass can cost even more. On average, a new front door will set you back around $2,500. And to maintain front door security, you really wouldn’t want to spend less than $1,500.

Roofing

Like siding, roofing costs vary wildly, but homeowners can expect a range of about $5,000 for the low end and up to $25,000 for higher-end materials like metal.

Landscaping

This category really varies, too. A small-scale yard refresh with some new plantings will cost a few thousand, whereas something elaborate that includes walkways, water features, and lots of new trees and mature plants would be 10 or 20 times that.

Replacing outdated and old windows, roofs, and siding is the best bang for your buck for energy efficiency and typically offers the highest return on your investment (ROI).

As a takeaway, know that even if you only have a couple of hundred dollars to spend, a little paint and some new plants will go a long way, so don’t let the costs deter you from making exterior improvements.

Our Tips for Renovating the Exterior of a House

It’s advisable to do a little planning before diving into the redesign of the exterior of your house:

• Determine a realistic budget for what you want to accomplish
• Make improvements with the most impact on curb appeal and ROI a priority
• Add elements that you can complete yourself
• Aim for a cohesive style and deliberate colour scheme
• Choose updates that will improve energy efficiency and safety
• You don’t have to do everything at once – have fun with it!

An Exterior House Renovation on Your Terms

The truth is, an exterior remodel of your most prized possession doesn’t have to feel daunting – it can be as small or as big as your budget and timeframe allow. Armed with a paint roller and gardening gloves, make the easier improvements yourself in no time, or hire a professional designer for a complete (and time-consuming) overhaul. The choice is yours.

As long as you consider the overall aesthetic, you’ll end up with increased curb appeal, increased functionality, and increased resale value. We call that a win-win-win!