We all know how important curb appeal is, not only if you are selling a home but to the overall value and perception it exudes. To achieve this it takes an investment, but the right choices can mean less work when it comes to maintaining your home. Here are some ideas and areas to consider.

Exterior siding and trim:

I love the look of real wood siding and trim but long term this choice will mean constant scraping and painting, better choices are fiber cement siding from companies like James Hardie and CertainTeed. This siding looks like wood but does not rot, and with a factory finish applied you can get up to a 15 year warranty on the paint. On the horizon is fiberglass siding. Apex Ultrex Siding from Marvin has a tough structure and fused finish coating which will never need painting. For the trim boards on your home look for extruded PVC products from companies like Azek or Versatex. These boards also will not rot and have a smooth finished appearance; they hold paint very well and will look terrific for many years.

Deck and patio:

Again remember I like real wood but the synthetics that are out there now are just terrific. Trex, Timbertech, Evergrain are just a few. No splinters, no staining, no issue with bugs, or rot. And additional design opportunities that are very difficult to achieve with wood. I will caution you not to think of these choices as maintenance free. They are all low maintenance. Meaning you do have to clean the deck each year since organic material can latch onto the decking or rails and start to grow. But it is night and day over the maintenance you need to do every few years with a wood deck. As for your patio the best choice in my mind are pavers. While this system does cost more it offers so much value and flexibility. And as far as maintenance you just need to keep it clean. If there is ever and issue with sinking, you just take up a few pavers, add some sand and reset. Try doing that with a concrete patio.

Paint:

If none of the above is in your budget this year for the outside of your home then there is always a fresh coat of paint. Just remember that 90% of a good paint job happens before the first brush stroke occurs. Whether you are hiring a contractor or doing it yourself, follow these tips. Wash the entire exterior with a mild detergent and pressure washer. Scrape all loose paint and sand smooth. Spot prime bare areas and fill in any holes with wood putty. Caulk around areas where gaps are present. Then apply two coats of a high quality exterior paint. Makers like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are a couple of the best and will last the longest.

Reference websites:

www.jameshardie.com www.evergrain.com

www.certainteed.com

www.azek.com

www.versatex.com

www.trex.com

Cleaning Tips from Men - Male House Cleaning at WomansDay.com

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Your roof is up there…now what?  Leave it untended, and you’re in for some trouble.  The worst thing that can happen to a roof is tree branches rubbing against it.  While you may admire that cottage-in-the-woods look, steady swipes from even the smallest twig blowing in the wind will soon scrape away the toughest shingles.  Start with a pruning, and keep any branches a good 5 feet away from the shingles - farther if possible.

Look for Lou Manfredini on NBC’s Today Show this Thursday April 29th between 9:30 and 10:00 am!

I bet you never thought about the eco-side of a makeover in your home. But if you replace you counter top, install a new tub, or build a new deck all of that old stuff ends up in a landfill. For many of us it’s just a slight change that we need to spruce things up, or bring some new life to the party. Well I found three ways to do just that for three very common projects around your home. Read the rest of this entry »