Exterior Home Upgrade Ideas

The arrival of the new decade has ushered in a fresh wave of exterior home design trends. From trending exterior house colors such as bold, saturated hues to the growing popularity of smooth siding texture, homeowners have been finding new ways to upgrade the value and appearance of their homes. However, some of the hottest 2020 exterior home trends involve approaching exterior renovation projects in an entirely new way. 

How to Create a Cohesive Exterior Look

The idea is simple: look at opportunities for exterior home upgrades in a more holistic way. Explore ideas around re-siding your home, adding a backyard shed or even revamping your fence by using the same exterior building products to create a cohesive look across your property. For example, LP Building Solutions offers a portfolio of engineered wood products specific for these uses for added compatibility. When combined on one property, these products can create a beautiful, cohesive design statement-not only redefining the character and beauty of a home, but also bringing a new level of durability to it.

Re-siding

Been thinking about re-siding your home? You’re not alone. While a home re-side is one of the larger exterior home upgrade projects, the investment is well worth it. Choosing LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding for your home, for example, adds to its resale value for a smart long-term financial decision.

One of the first steps of the re-side process is selecting the right building materials to use. An engineered wood option, like LP SmartSide products, provides all the benefits of wood without nature's imperfections. LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is the No. 1 brand of engineered wood siding and has been the siding of choice for more than 20 years for homeowners who want uncompromising quality and distinctive curb appeal.

With its striking wood-like appearance, LP SmartSide treated engineered wood cladding stands apart from the other siding materials on the market. Additionally, it is an excellent way to add extra durability and protection to your home. In fact, it's the durability factor, along with the siding's beautiful appearance, that has made LP SmartSide Trim & Siding the fastest growing brand of siding in the U.S.

The Durability Factor: Why Homeowners Choose LP SmartSide Products

• LP SmartSide products can stand up to storms with wind gusts up to 200 mph.

• During extreme weather events, LP SmartSide products can stay attached to a home better than fiber cement.

• LP SmartSide Trim & Siding has virtually no bowing, warping, splitting, cupping or knots.

• The LP SmartSide warranty, a 50-year limited warranty covering both labor and replacement, lasts 67% longer than industry standard 30-year warranties. 

Backyard Sheds

Another popular exterior home upgrade option is the addition of a backyard shed. Specifically, with today's current environment of social distancing, there has been an increase in DIY projects to improve the at-home experience. With this, there has been rising interest in backyard shed projects-which makes now a perfect time to get started.

LP® Outdoor Building Solutions® offers a unique collection of engineered wood building products designed specifically for use in sheds, barns and outdoor structures. But while you’re at it, try thinking about a shed as more than just a simple storage option. Why not make a statement? Whether you build an art studio, a changing room for a swimming pool or even a she shed, a well-designed outdoor structure can become an eye-catching extension of your household—and your lifestyle.

Popular designer, business owner and blogger Liz Marie Galvan recently added a backyard shed built with LP Outdoor Building Solutions products to her property. She transformed her shed into a home office to create a dedicated space outside her house to focus on her growing business endeavors.

"LP Outdoor Building Solutions products helped me achieve the look I was going for, and ultimately the durability of the product sold us," says Galvan. "When adding our backyard shed, it was really important to me that it felt like a natural addition to our property and tied in cohesively with the other elements of our farm, such as our house and barn. Our shed has been a gamechanger for running the daily operations of our business, and it truly acts like an extension of our home."

Fencing

Adding a fence can further elevate the aesthetic value of your home and tie all of the exterior elements together. LP Elements® Performance Fencing is one of the most innovative additions to the privacy fence market in decades, offering greater durability than wood and vinyl.

No matter what exterior upgrade idea you pursue, thinking about your home improvement projects in a more cohesive light can open up new possibilities and express the beauty of your home in a fresh way. If you’re considering a re-side project first, check out the factors that indicate it’s time for new siding.