How to Choose an Exterior Finish for Your Home

When it comes to making your home look its best, there’s no substitute for making it look as nice on the outside as it does on the inside. With so many options out there, it can hard to know where to get started. To make things a little easier for you, we’ve put together a simple step by step guide that will talk you through everything you need to know.

Consider Your Budget

The budget is the first thing to consider as this will constrain how much of an outlay you can afford. With exterior finishing, it is best to get your whole property completed in one job whenever possible. Make sure you have this in mind when doing the monthly household budget, so that you always have enough to be able to finish the job.

Once you take care of the figures, you’ll be able to get involved in the interesting matter of choosing your brand new finish!

Factor in the Weather Conditions

Weather conditions are something many people overlook at their peril. What looks amazing on a house in a magazine may soon fall into a state of disrepair on your home if you have adverse weather conditions on a regular basis. No matter how much you want it to look a certain way, it may just not be possible.

Painting is a great example because it will more readily peel off if you live right by the coast. The sea air contains salt which can cause your paintwork to dry and crack. Water then gets in through the cracks and causes the paint to peel off the surface. That’s why, although considering the weather may not be the most fun way to progress things, it will pay dividends in the long run when your home is still looking as good as new.

Does Your Choice Fit the Style of Your Property

Next, you want to narrow down your choices by considering style as well as practicality. You want something that will be pleasing on the eye, but it also needs to match the style of your home. You wouldn’t fit mock Tudor beams to an apartment building for example.

Take a little time to narrow down your options by factoring in style and substance and you’ll arrive at a great shortlist to ponder.

Find the Right Fitter to Make it Happen

A common choice people opt for is wood or timber cladding. This is because it is durable and aesthetically pleasing in equal measure. So whilst it will enhance the look of your home, it’ll also be able to stand up perfectly well in all weathers. Once you’ve decided to go with timber cladding or anything else that catches your eye for that matter, you need to find the right fitter for the job.

What you’re looking for here is someone with a strong track record of expertise that they can easily demonstrate. Ask for some photos of previous work or a link to their website or social media. Seeing the portfolio is the closest you will get to trying before you buy so make sure you don’t skip this stage in your excitement to get started. You’ll also want to make sure you get a full quotation that includes an estimate of how long the work will take.

Anything Else I Should Know?

Make sure you ask about how adverse weather like snow or heavy rain will delay the installation. You may not be able to do anything about what the weather decides to do, but by knowing how it will impact the work you’ll be able to plan accordingly if need be.