Summer weather is beautiful for being outside, enjoying nature, and staying active. An additional activity that homeowners can explore during the summer sun is updating their exterior. From the paint color to lighting to landscaping, the proper look of the exterior can increase the value of a home! Learn more about projects you can take on that have a high return on investment (ROI).

Landscaping

When taking on the landscaping in the front of your home there are several factors to consider: how much sun exposure your home gets, the upkeep required, and plants that are native to Ohio. Take time to study the sun throughout the day so you are able to properly assess what plants you will need. Ohio is considered a Zone 6 hardiness indicator. Here are several options for Ohioans for any sun exposure:

• Full Shade (<4 hours sun exposure) — Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Hosta
• Part Shade (3–6 hours of sun with shade at midday) — Bigroot Geranium, Toad Lily
• Part Sun (3–6 hours of sun) — Wild Geranium, Joe Pye Weed
• Full Sun (6+ hours of sun) — Black-eyed Susan, Bee Balm

Exterior Paint

The color of your home has a huge impact on curb appeal. Whether you are looking for a quick spruce up or to ready your home for a showing, there is much to consider. Experts suggest that before you pick your color, you look at trends happening in your surrounding area, consider the materials your home is made of, and take the style of your home into account.

DIY or Hire Help — After carefully choosing your color, comes the hardest part: how will you accomplish the task? You may save money by doing the job yourself, but there is a considerable safety risk to consider. If your house is two stories or more, you will need scaffolding, ladders, and more than likely a paint sprayer. An exterior paint job usually requires at least two coats, and that's after patching any holes, sanding problem areas, and cleaning the surface. For anyone on the fence, hiring a company comes with many perks — the assurance of their expertise, crew size, and specific tools will have you appreciating your new paint color sooner than later.

New Windows

There isn't a specific number of years that windows last, but when their function starts to degrade it is probably time to replace them. Feeling drafts, condensation between the panes, and rust that prevents opening are all signs of wear. At this stage you may also notice your utility bills rising. Replacement windows can help stop the loss of A/C and heat while improving your curb appeal. Window replacement has a pretty high ROI — Remodeling Magazine has reported up to an 81% return on investment.

We often think of the internal redesign of our homes, and for good reason. But remember the age-old saying: first impressions count. When deciding what will raise the value of your home, consider the exterior upgrades above. And keep checking back to the Kratos Gas & Power blog for more homeowner tips.