Quality Built Exteriors Blog

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Don’t have a blue Christmas—winter-proof your home

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / December 8, 2023

Your home’s exterior protects everything else inside! Stay warm this season by taking care of any issues on your home now, before extreme weather arrives in full force. Check out these tips to keep your home exterior in tip-top shape this winter.

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14 Home Exterior Features We Love

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / February 14, 2022

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’ve put together a list of 14 exterior features I love and that Quality Built can install for you.

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Replacement Windows: What Happens with a Shoddy Installer

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / November 5, 2019

From shoddy to shady, some window companies in Hampton Roads are either clueless about proper installation or out to make a quick buck and then disappear. Because replacement windows are such a major investment, don’t simply hire the first guy to show up on your doorst…

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Replacement Windows: Choosing the Right Type

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / October 18, 2019

So you’re considering replacing your old windows with new energy-efficient windows? Smart move! As the U.S. Department of Energy points out, energy loss from windows make up 25%–30% of your home’s heating and cooling costs. That means money spent on new windows is mone…

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“Why I Painted My Front Door Yellow”

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / March 28, 2019

Bold color ideas for better curb appeal
“It’ll look fabulous,” I assured my husband.
“But… yellow?” he said. My hubby is like most homeowners—he feels most comfortable with safe colors. Expected colors. In other words, boring colors. So naturally, when I suggested repai…

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Spring Checklist for Your Home Exterior

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / February 28, 2019

Daffodils!! Have you spotted them yet? I’ve seen them blooming around my Yorktown neighborhood since mid-February. Whether it was the groundhog’s prediction of an early spring, or just the fact that Hampton Roads had no major snowfall this winter, it’s clear that sprin…

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10 Quick Additions to Boost Your Curb Appeal

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / January 31, 2019

There’s nothing like pulling into your driveway and feeling pleased and proud to call that place your home. Your guests and neighbors also enjoy admiring a house with killer curb appeal.
Of course, sometimes we need to invest in major exterior projects like window repla…

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Secrets to Hanging Outdoor Decorations without Damage

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / November 30, 2018

Ah, the irony of holiday decorating—you love making your house beautiful so much, you create ugly holes all over it in the process. But pinholes could be the least of your problems… you can also rip off shingles, gutters, and more. Sometimes we get too caught up in the…

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10 Ways to Prep Your Home for Hurricanes

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / August 31, 2018

You know what they say about an ounce of prevention. And yet, Quality Built Exteriors gets far more calls after a hurricane than before. Instead of spending big bucks to repair storm damage, spend some time on weather-proofing your home. Here are 10 preventative steps—…

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8 Ideas To Spice Up Your Front Door

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / May 11, 2018

Whether your architectural style is formal, rustic, craftsman or contemporary, if your front door looks shabby, it degrades your entire curb appeal. From DIY to professional, here are some ideas that will be your doorway to a better-looking home front.

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Which Is the Best Home Investment: Indoor or Outdoor?

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / March 2, 2018

My financial planner sends periodic emails with advice on investing and using money wisely. Her most recent one happened to be on my favorite topic—home improvement! The article from Northwestern Mutual examined a new report comparing the average cost of 20 popular hom…

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10 Lively Home Improvements for the Dead of Winter

By Melissa James, The Exterior Enthusiast / January 8, 2018

The trees are bare, the holiday decorations are back in storage, and the grass has faded to a depressing yellow. No wonder we call it the “dead of winter”—and for many homeowners, this is the time of year when curb appeal seems like a hopeless cause.
But you don’t have…

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