New Roofing Shingles
The other biggest area of your house's façade is the roof. Most homeowners don't replace their roof unless it's failing. If you think you need a new roof, consider upgrading the type of shingles you have used.
The standard shingle type is three-tab asphalt. These shingles feature cutouts on the lower edge that make the three-tab design, which makes them look like three shingles instead of one. A roof done fresh in such shingles will certainly be an improvement over an old, faded roof.
That said, you could upgrade to architectural shingles. These shingles consist of two or more layers of lamination, resulting in a three-dimensional profile. When a roof has architectural shingles, you get a pleasing interplay of light and shadow.
Garage Door Makeover
Finally, the last big piece of the puzzle with your house's façade is the garage door. While not quite as large as the siding or roof, it is the largest door in your house. So, consider installing a new garage door. If for a multi-car garage or predominantly placed, consider choosing a color that matches your siding.
That said, you can also make the garage door attractive if you choose a door with glass panels. Indeed, some styles have glass panels in a metal framework. You can also update the look of your garage door with the trim around it. For instance, instead of trying to hide it in plain sight, draw attention to the door with a small trellis or lanterns on either side.
Increased Window Space
Many homes have nice views, especially if they're vacation houses. And many homes fail to take full advantage of those views with adequate windows. So, replacing the existing windows with larger varieties is a good remodel project. Bigger windows will afford you better views of the panorama outside your house.
Enlarged windows also help open up the façade of your home. Instead of having a big wall with small openings, you have glittering glass. An alternative to enlarging the existing windows is to add smaller windows. Typically, you can approach this idea with transom windows - windows above doors and existing windows.
Architectural Entryway
Houses without porches can present very plain facades. Naturally, one update you can make is to add a porch. With a new porch addition, you get increased outdoor living space.
If you want a smaller-scale remodel project, consider adding some architecture to your entryway. You can have the contractors extend the top out with a pediment supported on columns. The extension can be just the depth of the pediment, or you can extend it out into a faux porch. Either way, the added architectural element will give the flat façade visual interest.
Make a big difference in the look of your house's exterior with some of the above remodel projects. Contact JO Contractors to talk about your makeover ideas.
