AT HOME WITH STEPHANIE: Refreshing your home’s exterior after winter – Wicked Local Melrose

By Stephanie Vanderbilt

Q: I had been waiting all winter for spring so that I could finally give my home some exterior updates to improve curb appeal. Any suggestions?

A: The final days of winter are coming to a close here in New England. As we wait for sunshine and spring greenery to arrive, you might be yearning to refresh the exterior of your home. Whether your home needs a quick pick-me-up or an extensive exterior overhaul, these four home improvement ideas are the perfect tasks to tackle after a long New England winter.

1. Give your door a new glow

The elements and frigid temperatures of winter can do a number on your entry door. If the color of your front door is fading or it has simply seen better days, there is nothing quite like a fresh coat of paint to refresh your exterior for spring time.

If you need a little bit of color inspiration, look no further than Sherwin Williams color catalog. This catalog is updated with the trendiest colors for spring 2017, and youre bound to find an option that perfectly complements the exterior of your home.Overall, some of the most popular picks for entry door colors include turquoise, yellow, red, indigo, lime green, powder blue, mint and black.

Sherwin Williams chose Poised Taupe as the color of the year. This is a cozy color that brings a feeling of sanctuary to the home. Sherwin William notes that the best complementary colors for Poised Taupe include Mountain Air, Icelandic, Roycroft Rose, Brandywine, Mature Grape and Adriatic Sea.

Keep in mind that in some cases, your door needs more than a fresh coat of paint. If your door is showing signs of rot or its old and drafty, consider replacement this spring. Coastal Windows & Exteriors allows New England homeowners to customize their new entry door with any Sherwin Williams color and comes with a warranty.

2. Add a whimsical touch with interesting exterior lighting

Although the days are getting longer, exterior lighting is one of the quick and easy home improvement ideas that can truly enhance your curb appeal. There are a lot of creative ways that you can use landscape lighting, such as using colorful orbs around your garden. You can also use down lighting that is mounted on a tree to light up patios, porches, gazebos and more.

If youre concerned about your electric bill rising with your new exterior lighting, consider using solar powered options to keep your garden glowing.

3. Shake up your shutters' paint palette

Another great idea to add a burst of color to your home this spring is by changing up the color of your window shutters. Window shutters are a decorative feature for most homes, although homes situated along the coast may use them as barriers against windstorms and hurricanes.

How do you choose the perfect paint color for your shutters? Choose color options that either coordinate or contrast with your homes existing color. You can also consider painting your shutters the same new paint color as your front door.

4. Add efficiency and beauty with new replacement windows

If the winter season essentially drained your bank account from high energy bills, new replacement windows can add both efficiency and beauty to your home this spring. If upgrading your windows is on your home improvement to-do list this year, you can also take this opportunity to improve style and even add custom aesthetic features.

For example, standard vinyl windows are typically white. However, many New England homeowners are unaware that there are endless options to get creative with your new windows. You can choose custom colors to enhance your home, along with interior wood grain options for homeowners yearning for the warm look of authentic wood but the energy-efficiency of virgin vinyl cost-saving windows. Did you know that your windows can have custom exterior colors for historic districts or simply if you want them to match your shirt? Contact Coastal Windows & Exteriors to learn more.

While there are countless color options to choose from, dont forget about extra aesthetic options such as decorative glass and grids. Colonial and diamond grids are the perfect complement to New England Tudor and Colonial style homes. You can make your home instantly look more modern with double prairie, or pick the classic craftsman style for a quick exterior pick-me-up.

Keep in mind that vinyl windows are the best option in terms of maintenance and energy efficiency. While wood windows are prone to rot, quality virgin vinyl will stand the test of time without the need to ever lift as much as a paint brush.

Coastal Windows & Exteriors helps New England homeowners to enhance their homes performance while boosting curb appeal at the same time. Ask Stephanie how new windows, roofing, siding, and doors can take your exterior to the next level and even increase the value of your home. Contact us today by calling 978-304-0495 or e-mail svanderbilt@mycoastalwindows.com.

-- Stephanie Vanderbilt, owner of Coastal Windows & Exteriors, is your local home improvement resource. With a passion for education and helping others love the home they live in, Stephanie would love to answer any questions that will help you make your home beautiful, warm, safe and energy-efficient.

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AT HOME WITH STEPHANIE: Refreshing your home's exterior after winter - Wicked Local Melrose