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Although it is said that framing and foundation are the essence of a home’s quality, curb appeal is the aspect that will catch buyers’ attention. Furthermore, regardless of whether you are in the market to sell, homeowners can take immense pride in having a home that looks good to passersby.

 

Therefore, if you are one of the millions of Americans who has seen his or her interest in home renovation increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, consider one of the following exterior remodeling projects to help boost curb appeal.

1. Replace the Concrete Driveway

 

There is no denying that a freshly-poured concrete driveway is pretty, with the clean, light gray path laying next to a perfectly-manicured green lawn the ideal image of the traditional suburban home.

 

However, oil stains, icy patches, and cracks formed by Mother Nature soon make this beautiful concrete driveway more of an eyesore than an asset.

 

If it is time for your degraded concrete driveway to go, do not make the same mistake twice. Consider the advantages of a gravel driveway, instead.

 

While old-school gravel driveways had their issues, such as rutting and mounding in the face of traffic, innovative permeable paver grids have been designed to lock gravel into place and ensure consistent distribution of stone throughout your driveway. In addition to the classy aspect, this permeable solution eliminates the threat of ice and cracking that plagues concrete in the face of moisture buildup.

2. Install a New Garage Door

As most garages are designed even with or protruding forward from the face of the house, a dented, scratched, or damaged garage door can be the first thing that people notice when observing your otherwise pristine house.

 

Considering that the torsion springs on most garage doors start to wear out after 10 years, it may be a good idea to replace your garage door simultaneously at this time, even if it does not appear to be overly battered.

 

The good news is that most garage door installations can be completed by a professional in a day or less, providing a quick improvement to your home’s curb appeal with minimal effort required.

3. Landscape Your Lawn

The average snowfall in the Rochester area is significantly higher than that of the national average. While this can be a good thing for keeping your lawn looking green in the summer, it can create challenges when this snow starts to melt and runoff.

 

Therefore, to prevent unsightly puddles from forming in your lawn and preclude any runoff from trickling back and seeping into the basement or undermining your home’s foundation, landscape your lawn so that it is at its highest near your house and gently slopes down to your driveway drainage or rain garden, ensuring that this flowing water is used to maximize your lawn’s appearance.

4. Add a Pergola

Buyers are willing to pay a premium for any features that maximize the functional space of your home. As such, one of the best ways to increase the functionality of your home’s exterior space is by adding a pergola.

 

Not only does a pergola provide protection from the sun and other forces of nature, making it an ideal cover for an outdoor kitchen, but there are a plethora of pergola design ideas that will complement your home’s siding choice, ensuring maximum curb appeal through this stylistic harmony.

Boosting Curb Appeal: Final Thoughts

In order to catch the attention of prospective buyers and increase your pride in home ownership, it is important that your home have high-quality curb appeal.

 

While there are seemingly endless possibilities for the exterior renovation projects that can help you achieve this effect, innovative, permeable driveways; new garage doors; a properly landscaped lawn; and the addition of a pergola are just a few ideas that can help your home stand out among the Rochester crowd.

 

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.