Front Exterior and Curb Appeal

The original curb appeal of this home was drab and dated.  The siding was a worn out light blue grey vinyl siding, a very small front porch (that had issues), and badly cracked front sidewalk, with overgrown landscape on one side with no landscape on the other side. 

To update this home and add curb appeal, we chose to re-side with James Hardie Siding (purchased through Lowes and Home Depot).  Hardie Siding is a Fiber Cement siding that has many benefits:  Flame resistant, weather resistant, termite and pest resistant, and fade resistant.  A full sized front porch replaces the small one, a new sidewalk replaces the old, and xeriscape plantings surround the foundation with river rock mulch.

BEFORE~

 

 AFTER~

 

 

BEFORE~

This photo taken the day after we moved in prior to all new windows.  Original windows were single pane with areas where water leaked through due to inadequate caulking.  Notice the overgrown shrubs against the house... they were hiding a broken window.



The original porch was small (4 x 6) with issues of wood rot and sagging.
(New energy efficient windows are shown in this photo)

AFTER~

 
New porch area (7 x 24)

BEFORE~

The original wood door is unique and weathered, but NOT energy efficient or practical.  In the summer, massive heat could be felt coming through the cracks, and in the winter, a cold draft could be felt.

AFTER~

A new energy efficient door with leaded glass insert.
 

 BEFORE~

The original sidewalk had several dangerous cracks.

AFTER~

 

BEFORE~



One of several cracks; a major trip hazard.

 

The solution to a dangerous sidewalk is to tear it out, and build it over in a safe manner.  When we tore the original sidewalk out, we discovered there were places that were only 1 1/2" - 2" thick; these are the places that cracked.  We reconstructed a new sidewalk that is 4" - 6" thick.  We also constructed the new sidewalk to wrap around to the side area connecting to the garage concrete  (not pictured here) which was just dirt walkway before.



AFTER~

 New sidewalk with simple xeriscape foundation plantings.