The power of kerb appeal should never be overlooked. Not only can a poor property facade cause visitors to form a negative opinion of your house before they have even stepped inside, but it can also strip value off it and put off potential buyers.
Read on for our top tips on improving your home’s facade.
Front door
The front door is arguably the single most important element of the street-facing side of your house. This is what every visitor from the postman to your best friend will use to access your home and its appearance can prompt guests to form an opinion about what lies inside.
It also plays an important role practically. A good front door should keep out draughts and external noise, and be secure enough to prevent any unwanted visitors from coming in. So, if you’re looking for a new one, there’s a lot to think about!
A smart timber door with a double-glazed frosted glass pane is one of the best options. This allows natural light to flood your doorway, but keeps out prying eyes. Timber is not the only reason, as composite doors are also made and these are often tested to ensure they are secure. Another advantage is that, unlike wood, they do not swell in hot weather or shrink when it’s cold – although some people will always prefer real wood.
To complete your door, you need to invest in furniture for it. Traditionally, this consists of a letterbox, doorknob, doorbell and a number. While some people prefer to have a separate post box outside their house, such as by their gate, this is not the most secure option so if possible have a letterbox put in so your mail can safely be deposited in your house.
Finally, you will need all of the relevant security measures. Call a locksmith in your local area to come and kit out your front door with any additional protection it needs, such as a security chain, bolts or a mortice dead lock.
The facade
After the front door you can turn to the rest of your home’s facade. This includes every part you can see from the street. Cross over the road and have a good look at your home from here so you can see more of it. You may be surprised at how much of it could do with freshening up.
There are things that should be improved for practical reasons, such as blocked guttering or leaking pipes. Failure to get these seen to could lead to substantial damage in the future.
Then, there are the jobs you can do to make your property look better. Having your windows professionally cleaned is one and you could also repaint your window frames if they are made from wood.
One larger job is to clad your home. Properties dating back to the mid 20th century often featured less than attractive things like pebbledash or cheap bricks. If you want to disguise this, you can have the facade clad in timber or PCVu designed to look like wood. This makes a huge difference and will ensure your house looks like new.
The approach
Away from the physical front of your home there is the approach people will make to it. This should not be neglected when refreshing the facade, and there are plenty of ways you can ensure it gives the right impression.
If you have a path, ensure it is in good condition. Cracked cement is not the most attractive sight, so it could be worth replacing this with paving or even gravel. Similarly, any steps up to your front door should be kept free of obstructions like empty milk bottles, as well as any debris like fallen leaves.
Should you keep your recycling containers at the front of your home, do your best to hide them, such as behind a hedge. That way, they are conveniently located while also not detracting from your property’s facade.
Even if you only have a tiny front garden, you should attempt to add some greenery. A hedge is a good option as it also helps give you some privacy by blocking the view through your front windows. If you have a fence, you can place potted plants behind it, or up the sides of your path, to add an attractive splash of colour.
It’s best to keep your front garden simple so you aren’t having to constantly maintain it to make sure that it looks good. If you lack green fingers, you could instead invest in attractive cast iron railings or replace your gate, so that this acts as a focal point.