Decor improvements and improved energy efficiency

If you live in an older house, chances are you will want to update or replace cladding, doors and windows at some point. Exterior renovations can give new life to a “tired” home and reduce maintenance significantly. At the same time, you can improve energy efficiency, security and general comfort.

Maybe you simply want to update the appearance of your home, or maybe you want to try for a different look. Explore the possibilities. To begin with, the selection of quality exterior cladding products is great: bricks, wood, stucco and siding in many colours, sizes and styles. Replacing your doors and windows can make a big difference to the overall appearance and brightness of your home. With the huge selection of windows and doors on the market, your best bet is to consult with your renovator: Which styles, materials, sizes and types would work best? Can you add more windows? Should you increase the number of windows that open and close for a better air flow? Can you add a sidelight to your main doorway for a more welcoming entrance to your home?

The possibilities for upgrading or adding a porch, a deck, overhangs and decorative finishing touches are almost endless. looking at other peo- ple ʼs homes and browsing through magazines is a good first step. Also, ask your renovator for suggestions. Experienced renovators can often see possibilities that you might overlook.

Replacing your siding presents the opportunity to upgrade the insulation from the outside. Based on the existing structure, your renovator may see a number of different approaches, such as adding a layer of rigid or semirigid insulation or installing an air barrier to reduce leakage. An experienced renovator will also know what to avoid—trapping moisture between two vapour barriers, for instance.

With todayʼs new products, itʼs easier to secure your home. Exterior doors can be fitted with dead bolts and strong locks, and windows can be installed with solid locking mechanisms. Consult with your renovator about other measures you can take, such as bars on basement windows. Also, this might be the time to install a security system.

Good lighting is also important to safety. Install lights wherever visibility is an issue. A programmable timer or lights that are photo or motion sensitive offer additional security.

One of the benefits of todayʼs exterior building products is low maintenance.