Curb Appeal Makeovers That'll Make Your Neighbors Jealous
Transform Your Home's First Impression
Remodeling outside of house projects can dramatically increase your home's curb appeal and value. If you're looking for exterior renovation ideas, here's a quick overview of the most impactful exterior remodeling projects:
| Project | ROI | Timeline | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door replacement | 102.7% | 1-2 days | $3,600-$4,500 |
| Front door replacement | 75-100% | 1 day | $1,500-$2,300 |
| Exterior painting | Up to 141% | 3-7 days | $3,000-$6,000 |
| Manufactured stone veneer | 102.3% | 1-2 weeks | $9,000-$12,000 |
| Wood deck addition | 76% | 1-3 weeks | $13,000-$18,000 |
When you pull into your driveway, do you stifle a yawn—or worse yet, cringe? Your home's exterior says a lot about your personality and creates that crucial first impression for guests and potential buyers alike. While interior renovations often take priority, the outside of your home is what everyone sees first.
A thoughtful exterior renovation can transform a bland facade into a showstopper that makes neighbors do a double-take. From simple upgrades like a fresh coat of paint to more substantial projects like adding architectural elements, the options for remodeling outside of house are virtually endless.
The best part? Many exterior renovations deliver impressive returns on investment. According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report , certain exterior projects like garage door replacements and manufactured stone veneer can recoup over 100% of their cost at resale.
I'm Mike Martinez, owner of Accountable Home Remodeling, and I've helped hundreds of Denver homeowners transform their exterior spaces through expert remodeling outside of house projects that boost both curb appeal and property value.
1) Style Overlays That Define Your Home's Personality
Before swinging a hammer or selecting a paint swatch, let's talk about the heart of your exterior remodel – the architectural style that will become your home's signature. Choosing the right style overlay creates a cohesive look that feels authentic to both your personality and your property.
Here in the Denver Metro Area, we see incredible diversity in home styles – from historic brick bungalows to contemporary designs. Having a clear style direction makes every other decision easier.
When our clients start dreaming about remodeling outside of house projects, they typically gravitate toward one of these popular styles:
Modern homes speak the language of simplicity with clean lines and minimalist details. Think large windows, flat or low-pitched roofs, and an interesting mix of materials like metal, glass, and concrete.
Farmhouse style has captured hearts with its warm, welcoming vibe. The hallmarks include board and batten siding, metal roof accents, covered porches, and neutral colors punctuated with black window trim.
Traditional homes never go out of style with their symmetrical facades, detailed trim work, columns, and classic shutters. This approach incorporates historical elements while maintaining timeless appeal.
Craftsman style celebrates artisanship with low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, exposed rafters, and tapered columns. These homes showcase natural materials and thoughtful details.
Modern vs. Farmhouse: Remodeling Outside of House Style Guide
When you choose a modern exterior, you're embracing architectural honesty. The beauty comes from straightforward lines with minimal decoration, often featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Materials like metal panels, fiber cement, and glass create visual interest through texture rather than ornamentation.
A farmhouse exterior wraps your home in warmth and nostalgia. Board and batten or lap siding (typically in whites or soft neutrals) creates a familiar backdrop for black window frames. Natural wood elements bring organic warmth to posts, beams, and doors. Metal roof accents add authentic character.
Many Denver-area clients are now falling in love with "modern farmhouse" – a thoughtful hybrid that borrows the best elements from both styles.
Avoid These Style-Clashing Mistakes
When remodeling outside of house, even small missteps can undermine your curb appeal:
Over-ornamentation happens when homeowners incorporate too many decorative elements from different styles. Choose one primary style and let its core principles guide your decisions.
Ignoring the roof line can make even expensive renovations look awkward. Your roof shape is a defining feature of your home's architectural personality.
Mismatched additions occur when new elements don't respect the scale and proportion of your existing home. That charming front porch needs to look like it was always meant to be there.
2) Material Magic & Siding Switch-Ups
The materials you choose for remodeling outside of house can dramatically transform its appearance while improving durability, energy efficiency, and maintenance requirements. In the Denver Metro Area, where we experience everything from intense UV exposure to hail, snow, and dramatic temperature swings, material selection is particularly crucial.
Here's a comparison of the most popular exterior siding materials:
| Material | Lifespan | Maintenance | Cost Range | ROI | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | 20-40 years | High | $$$$ | 70-80% | Traditional, craftsman homes |
| Vinyl | 20-40 years | Low | $$ | 75% | Budget-conscious remodels |
| Fiber-cement | 50+ years | Low-Medium | $$$ | 76% | Durability in harsh climates |
| Brick | 100+ years | Very Low | $$$$ | 92% | Classic, timeless look |
| Stone veneer | 50+ years | Low | $$$$ | 95-102% | High-impact accent areas |
Each material offers distinct advantages:
Wood Siding provides natural beauty and can be painted or stained in any color. However, it requires regular maintenance to prevent moisture damage and UV deterioration.
Brick and Stone offer exceptional durability and timeless appeal. While traditional masonry is expensive, manufactured stone veneer can provide a similar look at a lower cost with one of the highest ROIs at over 102%.
Fiber-Cement Siding(like James Hardie) has become increasingly popular in Colorado due to its exceptional durability, fire resistance, and ability to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Vinyl Siding remains a budget-friendly option that has improved significantly in quality. Modern vinyl siding can mimic wood grain, comes in hundreds of colors, and requires virtually no maintenance.
Choosing the Right Siding for Remodeling Outside of House
When selecting siding for your exterior remodel, consider these factors:
- Budget: Be realistic about your budget, including installation costs.
- Architectural Style: Choose materials that complement your home's style.
- Local Climate: Denver's climate demands materials that can handle UV exposure and temperature fluctuations.
- Maintenance Tolerance: Be honest about how much maintenance you're willing to perform.
- Neighborhood Context: Your home should stand out while still harmonizing with neighboring properties.
- Local Codes and HOA Rules: Many communities have specific requirements regarding exterior materials and colors.
Energy-Smart Windows & Doors
Energy-efficient windows and doors can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 15%, eliminate drafts, reduce UV damage to interior furnishings, decrease outside noise, and improve security.
For Denver's climate, we recommend double or triple-pane windows with Low-E glass coatings, fiberglass or insulated steel entry doors with proper weatherstripping, and Energy Star-rated products that qualify for utility rebates and tax credits.
A quality front door replacement offers one of the best returns on investment—often recouping 75-100% of costs while dramatically enhancing curb appeal.
3) Color, Roof & Finish Trends for 2025
Choosing the right colors and finishes when remodeling outside of house can completely transform your home's personality without a single structural change.
Here in the Denver Metro Area, we're seeing some gorgeous color trends emerging for 2025 that perfectly complement our Colorado landscape and lifestyle:
- Blue-gray tones – soft, weathered hues that feel both modern and timeless
- Earthy greens from sage to olive that blend beautifully with Colorado's natural surroundings
- Iron ore black(a softer, deep charcoal) creates sophisticated exteriors that really pop
- Two-tone schemes that highlight architectural features with thoughtful contrasts
- Warm whites that create clean but inviting exteriors that never feel cold or sterile
When it comes to paint finishes, matte and low-luster options are replacing high-gloss. These finishes look more sophisticated and are more forgiving when it comes to hiding surface imperfections.
Roofing choices are evolving beyond basic shingles. Architectural shingles with dimensional shadows and texture are becoming the new standard. For contemporary homes, standing seam metal roofing offers clean, modern lines with exceptional durability.
With Colorado's abundant sunshine, cool roof technology with reflective materials makes sense, potentially lowering summer cooling costs. For environmentally conscious homeowners, solar tiles that generate power while maintaining aesthetic appeal are becoming more accessible.
Maintenance Cheat-Sheet
Understanding the upkeep requirements of different materials helps you make choices you'll be happy with for years:
- Paint recoat cycles: Wood siding typically needs repainting every 3-7 years, fiber-cement might go 7-15 years between paint jobs
- Roof inspections: Check asphalt shingles annually, especially after hailstorms; metal roofing can typically go about 2 years between inspections
- Siding maintenance: Wood requires annual inspections for rot and insect damage; fiber-cement benefits from cleaning every 6-12 months
- Critical check points: Inspect caulking around windows and doors annually, check flashing at roof transitions, and give trim boards an annual once-over
Front-Door & Hardware Pop
Your front entry creates that crucial first impression, and updating it delivers exceptional bang for your buck:
- A contrasting door color can transform your entire facade – bold teals, sunny yellows, or vibrant reds create welcoming focal points
- Statement hardware like an oversized handle set or modern square escutcheon can lift a basic door to something special
- Smart entry systems with keyless entry and video doorbells improve both convenience and security
- The door style itself makes a huge difference – switching from a plain panel door to one with glass inserts can dramatically change your home's character
Based on our project data, front door replacements often recoup 75-100% of their cost while taking just a day to complete – maximum impact with minimal disruption.
4) Landscaping & Outdoor Living Upgrades That Pay Off
When it comes to remodeling outside of house, don't forget that your yard is just as important as your home's exterior walls. Here in the Denver Metro Area, thoughtful landscaping extends your living space into the great outdoors.
Native plants like blue grama grass, colorful penstemons, and hardy yarrow are absolute superstars in our Colorado climate. They not only look beautiful year-round but also slash water bills by up to 60%. Professionally designed drought-tolerant landscaping typically recoups about 83% of its cost.
Creating defined outdoor living spaces makes a huge difference too. Whether it's a cedar deck (which returns about 76% of investment) or a flagstone patio (up to 80% ROI), these "outdoor rooms" give you places to gather and enjoy Colorado's famous sunshine.
Don't underestimate the power of good hardscaping. Interlocking pavers for driveways and walkways perform better in our freeze-thaw cycles and allow rainwater to permeate the soil rather than running off. Add strategic LED lighting, and suddenly your landscape looks magical at night while improving safety.
5 Under-$500 Curb Appeal Hacks
Not ready for a major landscape overhaul? Here are my favorite budget-friendly upgrades:
- Paint Your Front Door: For under $50 and an afternoon's work, a bold new door color can completely transform your home's personality.
- Add Container Gardens: Strategically placed pots with seasonal flowers bring life to entries and pathways.
- Install New House Numbers: Modern, oversized numbers create an instant style upgrade for under $100.
- Upgrade Exterior Lighting: Swapping dated fixtures for contemporary styles makes your home look instantly refreshed.
- Pressure Wash Hardscapes: Rent a pressure washer for about $75 and watch years of grime disappear from your driveway, walkways, and patio.
Timeline: How Long Does Remodeling Outside of House Take?
Site preparation usually takes 1-3 days as we protect existing landscaping and remove old materials. Material lead times vary—stock siding and roofing materials might arrive in 1-2 weeks, but custom windows and doors can take 4-12 weeks.
For the actual work, most siding replacements take 1-2 weeks, roofing about 2-5 days, and window replacements 2-5 days. Building a new deck typically runs 1-3 weeks, while landscaping installations usually take 1-2 weeks.
In Denver's climate, I recommend scheduling exterior projects between April and October to minimize weather delays, though our team works year-round on many exterior projects.
Budget-Friendly Green Touches
Going green doesn't have to mean spending a lot. Some eco-friendly improvements are quite affordable:
- Rain barrels capture valuable water from your downspouts for garden irrigation
- Permeable pavers allow rainwater to filter through rather than run off
- Solar-powered lighting eliminates wiring costs while reducing energy consumption
- Native plant pockets dramatically reduce water use and support local pollinators
- Reclaimed materials like salvaged brick or wood bring character to your landscape
5) Remodeling Outside of House Like a Pro: Budget, Permits & Pitfalls
Let's be honest—turning your exterior remodeling dreams into reality takes more than just picking pretty colors and materials. Proper planning makes the difference between a stress-filled project and a smooth change.
Budget Planning and ROI Expectations
Most successful exterior remodels typically invest between 5-10% of your home's value. This "sweet spot" usually delivers noticeable change without overimproving for your neighborhood.
Many exterior projects actually pay you back when it's time to sell. According to the 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, garage door replacements deliver an astonishing 102.7% return on investment, manufactured stone veneer follows at 102.3% ROI, while entry door replacements return 75-100% of their cost.
Always set aside a 10-15% contingency fund for unexpected challenges that might arise when old materials are removed.
Permits, Regulations, and HOA Considerations
Most remodeling outside of house projects throughout the Denver Metro Area require permits—even "simple" projects like siding replacement. Window replacements need permits if you're changing opening sizes, and most roofing projects require them too.
HOA approval is another hurdle many homeowners face. If you live in a covenant-controlled community, you'll likely need to submit detailed plans, material samples, and color choices before making any exterior changes.
Historic districts bring additional considerations with stricter guidelines designed to preserve architectural character. Don't forget energy code compliance—Colorado has adopted progressive energy codes that may impact your window, door, and insulation specifications.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
After hundreds of exterior changes across the Front Range, I've seen the same mistakes trip up homeowners:
- Ignoring proper drainage might be the costliest error of all. Every exterior modification changes how water flows around your home.
- Mismatched materials and styles create a visually jarring effect. Aim for cohesive design that respects your home's architectural bones.
- Overlooking climate considerations leads to premature failures. Colorado's intense UV exposure and temperature swings demand appropriate materials.
- DIY structural changes can compromise safety and home value. Anything affecting your home's structure requires professional expertise.
- Neglecting energy efficiency misses a prime opportunity to upgrade insulation and air sealing during siding replacement.
Hiring & Scheduling Secrets
When comparing bids, look beyond the bottom-line price. Ensure estimates include identical scope and materials, verify contractor licensing and insurance, and check references specifically for exterior projects similar to yours.
Structure payments around completed milestones rather than calendar dates. Never pay more than 10-15% upfront, link subsequent payments to completed project phases, and always hold back at least 10% until final inspection and approval.
Sustainable Specs Without Sticker Shock
Eco-friendly doesn't have to mean budget-busting:
- Reclaimed materials add character while reducing environmental impact and often cost less than new materials
- Recycled-content products like composite decking materials incorporate recycled content without commanding premium prices
- Low-VOC finishes protect both your family's health and the environment while offering superior durability
- Energy rebates and incentives from Xcel Energy and many Colorado municipalities can significantly offset costs for energy-efficient upgrades
Frequently Asked Questions about Exterior Remodels
What exterior projects boost value the most?
When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, not all exterior projects are created equal. Here in the Denver Metro Area, we've seen consistent patterns in which improvements truly pay off.
The garage door might not be the first thing you think of, but it's actually the reigning champion of ROI. A quality garage door replacement returns an impressive 102.7% of its cost!
Coming in a close second is manufactured stone veneer at 102.3% ROI. This gorgeous accent material can transform plain exterior walls into stunning focal points, especially when strategically applied around entryways.
Your front door replacement delivers between 75-100% return while dramatically enhancing curb appeal. Rounding out the top five are fiber-cement siding replacement (76% ROI) and wood deck additions (76% ROI).
What makes these particular projects so valuable is their perfect balance of moderate cost and high visual impact.
Do I need a permit to paint or reside my house?
For painting your home, you typically won't need a permit unless you live in a designated historic district where exterior colors are regulated.
When it comes to siding replacement, yes, you'll generally need a permit, especially if you're switching materials. The permit ensures your new siding meets local building codes for fire safety and proper installation.
Window replacements fall into a middle ground. If you're simply swapping out old windows for new ones in the exact same openings, you can usually skip the permit process. However, if you're enlarging openings or adding new windows, permits will definitely be required.
For roofing projects, most Denver-area municipalities require permits for full replacements to ensure proper installation and code compliance.
How do I keep costs under control during a remodel?
Cost control starts with smart planning—not just cutting corners.
The single most effective strategy is comprehensive planning from the start. When you address all exterior elements together (even if you implement them in phases), you avoid costly rework.
Standard sizing is your friend! Custom windows with unique dimensions can increase costs by 20-40%. Often, standard sizes with thoughtful trim work can achieve nearly identical looks at substantial savings.
One of the biggest budget-busters is changing your home's footprint. Working within your existing structure almost always offers better value than pushing out walls or adding features that alter your home's basic shape.
Be strategic about materials selection. Mid-grade materials often provide 90% of the high-end aesthetic at 70% of the cost.
Consider bundling projects together to reduce overall labor costs, minimize dumpster fees, and streamline the schedule. Plus, you'll only go through the construction process once!
Conclusion
There's something magical about pulling up to a home that truly reflects your personality and style. Remodeling outside of house projects don't just boost your property value—they transform how you feel every time you return home. Whether you've refreshed your exterior with a new paint color, upgraded to fiber-cement siding, or completely reimagined your landscaping, the impact on your daily life is immeasurable.
I've seen countless homeowners throughout Denver stand back and smile after their exterior renovations are complete. That moment when they see their vision come to life—when their once-forgettable facade becomes the standout home on the block—makes all the planning worthwhile.
Successful exterior changes don't happen by accident. They require thoughtful planning, quality materials, and expert installation. The most impressive renovations balance current trends with timeless elements that will look just as appealing years down the road.
At Accountable Home Remodeling, we take pride in creating cohesive exterior changes that honor your home's architectural character while bringing your personal vision to life. We understand Colorado's unique climate challenges and neighborhood aesthetics, ensuring your renovation not only looks beautiful but performs beautifully for years to come.
Our team serves the entire Denver Metro Area—from Boulder to Aurora, and everywhere in between including Broomfield, Westminster, Thornton, Northglenn, Arvada, Longmont, and Lakewood.
Ready to fall in love with your home's exterior again? Let's create a curb appeal change that will have you smiling every time you pull into your driveway—and yes, maybe make your neighbors just a little bit jealous. Contact us today for a consultation, and let's start planning your home's remarkable change together.
