It’s Valentine’s Day, and while you may or may not have a romantic love in your life right now, if you’re reading this article, chances are you have a passion for your home! In honor of February 14th, I’ve put together a list of 14 exterior features I love and that Quality Built can install for you. So let’s celebrate our shared adoration for those little details and big conveniences that make a house just a little more loveable:
#1 Vinyl Cedar Shake Shingles
This highly textured siding style packs coastal charm without the maintenance of the real thing Vinyl cedar shake shingles create a rustic and timeless look, whether you opt for straight or staggered alignment. It looks great covering an entire beach house, but given its higher price tag and the fact it can look a bit overwhelming on a typical suburban street, most homeowners use it as an accent. You’ll usually spot this vinyl siding below a gable or just one section of the home.
#2 Pergolas
Nothing tops the visual appeal and partial shade of a pergola. These structures provide high impact at a lower cost than a covered porch. Pergolas define a space, add privacy, block sunlight, extend your living space, instill character, are easy to customize and add value to your home. Quality Built can install both wood and vinyl pergolas, so if you aren’t up to DIY, give them a call!
#3 Window Boxes
Nothing adds curb appeal to blah stretch of house front like a window box. Packing a big punch for a small investment, you can change out the plantings seasonally and match it to your house style, anything from cast iron to rustic wood to maintenance-free vinyl. Try one under a single prominent window, or several along the top floor of your home. I’m planning to install a window box on my backyard she shed later this spring!
#4 Bold Entry Doors
Your front door is the focal point of your whole housefront! Whether you paint your old door an eye-pooping hue, or replace it with a new, energy-efficient door model, it’s a great way to elevate your curb appeal. I love that Quality Built Exteriors has entry doors for every budget, and some even come pre-colored in your choice of a gorgeous hue from their line.
#5 Vinyl Railings
Railings get a lot of wear, thanks to constant touching and bearing pressure. While wood is affordable, vinyl makes a better investment for maintenance-free beauty! Quality Built gets many calls to replace rotting, peeling railings, and most homeowners end up going with vinyl so they won’t have to deal with that headache again. Vinyl railings can be installed anywhere from front porches to back decks to docks.
#6 Stamped Concrete
Where do I even begin? Stamped concrete is just the coolest thing and I never tire of seeing photos of the many ways it can be done! This newer home exterior trend has become one of Quality Built Exteriors’ most popular services, and for good reason! Stamped concrete can be made into more customized configurations than pavers, and for a lower budget! They can even stain in different patterns or sections for a truly high-end look. Read my previous article on stamped concrete.
#7 Fancy Fire Pits
Fire pits are a year-round pleasure, keeping away bugs in the summer and making outdoor living tolerable in the winter. Even when not in use, they create a cozy ambiance. Quality Built Exteriors can build you a standalone fire pit, or make it part of an entire hardscape of pavers, stamped concrete, and more.
#8 Porch Additions
Nothing transforms a boring house facade like a front porch. Not only does it create an architectural focal point, but it serves many practical purposes for outdoor living space and keeping those Amazon deliveries dry! For folks living in Tidewater Virginia and the rest of the South, we see front porches as a way to connect with people. Not only our neighbors, but our own families. We can watch our teens shooting baskets in the driveway, or our grandchildren toddling on tricycles along the sidewalk. Read my full article on why front porch additions are worth it.
#9 Pet Peeks
The owner of Quality Built Exteriors, Mike Reedy, is a proud dog-dad—so he especially loves when customers want to add canine-friendly features to their homes. Pet peeks are a clever fence addition that gives Fido the chance to spy on passers-by like his own little reality TV show.
#10 Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are one of the most time-saving upgrades you can place around your home. We love the simple practicality, letting water through but blocking debris. This can prevent a lot of water damage we see in homes with clogged gutters. Need more reasons to get gutter guards? Here are seven.
#11 MagnaLatch
Talk about an ounce of prevention! For the cost of a specialty gate latch around your pool, you can save a child’s life. These lift-up latches are both higher and more complicated than a small child can manage, yet easy and quick for older swimmers. Since Quality Built Exteriors installs pool fences regularly, they always recommend MagnaLatch for the gate, since even if you don’t have kids at home, kids could come to visit (possibly without invitation!)
#12 Custom Gates
Even if you opt for a simpler, cheaper fence, you can add some pop with a custom fence gate. Quality Built can do monograms (my favorite, as a true Southerner!), windows, and other cutouts or details to create a welcoming entry to your back yard.
#13 Shed Upgrades
Sure, a shed is for storage, but why not dress it up a bit as a yard feature? There are so many ways to upgrade a basic shed into a beautiful space: windows, porches, even cupolas. Let Quality Built Exteriors enhance your current shed or build you a new one—they have nearly infinite customization options!
#14 Energy Efficient Windows
If you’re looking to replace your windows, why pay for something that won’t perform? I love the two-fer you get when you put in Energy Star vinyl windows, because not only are you eliminating the maintenance of wood, but you’re lowering your energy bills… which helps pay you back for the window cost. Most people don’t realize this, but Quality Built Exteriors has an exclusive window design that’s specifically made for our weather here in Hampton Roads. One condo owner called in to share that after a recent Nor’easter, his Quality Built windows were the only ones that didn’t leak in his complex, where other owners had used different companies for their window replacements.
Well, that’s my list—what exterior features do YOU love? Feel free to share them with us! And of course, please call for a free estimate on any of the features listed above (Quality Built offers financing!)