So you're looking for a bit more of that curb appeal you keep hearing about on home shows. Or perhaps you are trying to make your home more efficient throughout the seasons. Maybe it's just been a while since you have made any improvements to your house and want to start with the outside of it. Whatever reason you may have, updating the exterior portion of your home can be a very worthwhile project that fits a variety of your needs and wants. Some may require professional assistance while others are very simple to do yourself, but they are all a good investment in the appearance and maybe even the monetary value of your home.

If improved efficiency is your primary focus in upgrading your home there are two major additions you can make to your home to reduce heating and cooling costs. Consider adding solar paneling or new windows to your home. These are both options that are best done by professional services, although if you are highly experienced in the area then windows may be done on your own. When deciding to add solar paneling to your home you'll want to contact a company specializing in alternative power sources and have them come evaluate your roof. They will let you know if your roof will need any repairs before going on to add the solar panel as well as how much of your roof is facing the sunlight and the optimal amount of paneling you should use. Depending on the area you live in the cost of paneling can vary but there are also many states offering incentives for any efficiency improvements to help you recoup your costs. You can also ask the company aiding you what the average decrease in electric power cost is per year and determine how many years it may take to break even. Home sellers will find that adding on solar panels can make their home stand out in a crowd and perhaps even increase the purchase price of the home. A more traditional but still great way to decrease your home's utility bill and update its look is to install new windows. This is particularly helpful if it has been 15 to 20 or more years since this was last done. Finding windows that offer better weather stripping, solar coatings and glazings, and new framing materials is easier and more cost effective than ever. Putting these in will help your electric, gas, or wood heat stay put in the house during the winter and keep the sun's heat from coming in during the summer months. Again, home buyers look at homes with new windows as a bonus and take that into consideration when making offers on homes.

If basic maintenance is your main concern while also taking the time to upgrade your home then your choices may be as simple as painting the outside of your home or replacing old siding with new siding most likely made of  vinyl or aluminum. If you feel you have the time and skills needed to do so then painting the exterior of your home can be done yourself. This is much easier if you  purchase or rent some helpful tools such as an air sprayer from a home improvement or hardware store. Be sure to choose a color that you enjoy as well as one that compliments your home's outdoor surroundings. Choose a few dry days in a row to allow paint to set and make sure to do at least two coats plus primer, adding on a third if you are choosing a very dark paint color. Any paint salesperson can help you choose the type of paint best suited to your location's climate and precipitation expectations. If you choose to replace your old siding with new and have not done so before then it is recommended that you contact a company that specializes in professional vinyl siding. Illinois is just one of most states that require their construction and home improvement companies to be licensed and insured, so be sure to choose one in your own area that meets those requirements.  Either of these choices will make your home look fresh and well taken care of as well as address the basic upkeep of your exterior.

Now, for something fun to add a little curb appeal consider reevaluating your frontyard landscaping. If there is a lot of basic work to be done you might want to consider hiring someone to spend a few hours cleaning up weeds and reseeding any bare spots that you want growing. After getting to a good starting point this way, you will find it easier to keep up on mowing, weeding, and seeding on a weekly basis throughout the growing months. If your home's landscape is already under control take a look from across the street and see if there is anywhere that would benefit from a dose of color in the form of new flowers or bushes. Of course, these are traditional upgrades. More daring home owners might wish to add in a water feature such as a bird bath or fountain along with a bench for sitting. For those of you again entertaining thoughts of how to increase efficiency and reduce your home's footprint, growing a food garden in your front yard is still a pretty novel way to increase sustainability while making your home look beautiful and unique as well.

Any of the above ideas is a good place to start when you find yourself with a little extra time to start those home projects you're always meaning to do. The exterior of your home will look different and exciting and you may just find you enjoy the process of creating a new view!