As the icy grip of winter passes, Chicago area homeowners turn their thoughts to spring—and how to enhance their home’s appeal and longevity now that the weather is improving. And as siding contractors, roofing contractors, and other home exterior remodeling pros can attest, spring is an ideal time to begin the home improvement project you’ve been dreaming of.
But how do you choose which projects to take on right now—especially if you don’t know where to begin?
Consider What Your Home Needs Most
A thoughtful evaluation of your home’s current condition is a great place to start the process. To help you identify some home areas that may need addressing, here’s our handy guide for choosing spring renovation projects.
1. Inspect the Roof
Ice, hail, heavy snow, and windy weather can all take a toll on your roof. Tiles and shingles can be weakened, cracked, or even missing due to weather. And if not repaired, roof problems can lead to costly moisture leaks and damage.
What to do:
- Walk around your home and examine your roof from all angles.
- Look for missing, raised-up roof tiles, or anything that looks out of the ordinary.
- Double-check the flashing (the metal sheets covering joints).
- Remove branches or other debris from your rooftop.
- Contact a roofing contractor to give your roof a professional inspection.
2. Clean and Repair Gutters
Gutters can accumulate quite a bit of debris from dead leaves, fallen branches, ice, and mud. Unfortunately, if gutters are clogged, loosened, or cracked, it can impede the proper drainage of melting snow, ice, and rain away from your home’s roof and foundation, leading to potential water damage.
What to do:
- Inspect gutters, looking for areas where they are loose, sagging, cracked, or clogged.
- Remove any accumulated debris.
- Install gutter guards, new downspouts, and gutter runs where needed.
- Reattach loose gutters to the home exterior.
- Replace old, cracked gutters with new ones.
3. Add Fresh Paint
There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint, inside and outside, to spruce up your home’s appearance and add a layer of protection to your walls. New paint can boost your home’s value as well as its curb appeal.
What to do:
- Search Pinterest and home magazines to discover the latest home color trends.
- For a quick, cost-effective interior refresh, paint areas that get a lot of foot traffic, like the foyer, living room, and guest bathroom.
- Paint a single wall in a room a different color to create a unique, accented look.
- If you’re painting the exterior, consider hiring an exterior remodeling company that can do it quickly, safely, and professionally.
4. Replace Old Doors and Windows
Windows and doors can either enhance or detract from your home’s security and energy efficiency. So, if your windows or doors are aging, don’t open and close properly, are broken or drafty, plan to repair or replace them.
What to do:
- Evaluate your needs. If your windows or doors are relatively new, you might just repair the one that’s causing you problems. If they’re old or have many problems, replacements may be better.
- Consider a new front door replacement. Simply upgrading the front door with a new, attractive version can boost your home’s curb appeal.
- If security is an issue, look for today’s beautiful, protective steel doors. And remember, today’s windows and doors often come with superior locks too.
5. Wash and Repair Siding
Home siding can accumulate dirt, dust, pollen, and other microscopic debris that can damage it or leave it looking dingy. Spring is a great time to make any needed siding repairs or replace the siding entirely if needed.
What to do:
- Walk the exterior of your home, examining the siding for dents, cracks, loose elements, rust stains, mold, mildew, and streaks of water damage.
- Remove any mold or mildew.
- Rinse off dirt and dust with a garden hose.
- Contact a professional siding contractor if you see signs of damage.
6. Spruce Up Porches and Decks
A fun, practical way to both refresh your home’s look and also add functionality is to upgrade your patio, porch, or backyard deck. After all, spring and summer are times to entertain outdoors when the weather is nice.
What to do:
- Power wash the flooring to remove accumulated dirt and dust.
- Treat wood with fresh stain and/or waterproofing treatment to enhance its appearance and protect it from the elements.
- Wash outdoor furniture, and bring out any items you stored during winter.
- Clean your grill and fill its tank so you’re ready for outdoor cooking.
- If your porch or deck area is aging—or if you don’t have a deck but would love one—hire an exterior remodeling company to install one. It will add value to your home.
7. Refresh the Landscaping
Now that spring is on its way, homeowners can invest in new landscaping features. New sod, trees, bushes, and flowers can add natural beauty to your home, pleasing you and guests alike.
What to do:
- Prepare the soil by tilling it and adding fertilizer.
- Plant fresh flowers in existing garden beds, or create new garden beds in your front yard.
- Throw down grass seed to help thicken lawns.
- Trim trees and bushes away from your home exterior. This simple act can save you thousands in home repairs.
Exterior Remodeling that Makes Your Chicago Home Stand Out
A well-done home exterior remodeling project can boost the security, durability, beauty, and value of your home. The Siding & Windows Group has been proudly serving Chicago area homeowners with superior exterior remodeling for 35 years. We love to assist Chicago homeowners in having a home that looks stunning, performs at its best, and makes homeowners happy to come home at the end of a busy day.
Whether you have questions about the condition of your home exterior or you’re in the market for new siding, a roof replacement, fresh doors and windows, or other exterior remodeling needs, our friendly, professional team is here to help. Simply schedule a consultation and a free quote to learn more.