Exterior Refinishing

Refinishing Windows and Doors

• The trim paint on windows and around doors, and the surface of the door itself can be refinished with a fresh coat of latex paint. It is very common for these areas to become cracked and chipped. Before you paint the trim, sand the surface well and use a chisel to flake away any stubborn chips. If you have a wooden door that has been stained, use a fresh coat of polyurethane every few years to keep the finish looking good. Metal doors can be refreshed with a quick coat of paint.

Refinishing Walkways and Concrete

• Walkways and the driveway are other common areas that will need refinishing from time to time. You can change the entire look of your home by staining your walkways or even the driveway a brand new color. Concrete stain requires an etching process that involves acid, so it is best to leave this job to the professionals, unless you have experience in this kind of work. You can also add landscaping edging on walkway borders and the border of the driveway will help delineate the space and make it look fresh.

Larger Refinishing Projects

• Changing the landscaping on a home can also dramatically alter its appearance. Large-scale projects such as leveling the ground and adding new plantings can increase more than the curb appeal, they can also increase the value of the home. Other larger-scale projects include adding retaining walls, fencing off the yard or refinishing a current fence to give it a fresh look. Take a photo of the exterior of your home to determine what large projects need to be done. A photo gives you a different look of your home and will pick up things that you are used to ignoring.

Improving the Exterior Appearance

• Refinishing the entire exterior appearance of the home with a fresh coat of paint or new siding will also have a dramatic effect. Depending on the amount of wind, rain and sun in your area, you may need to repaint your home every two to five years. Vinyl siding can become faded over several years, but you can paint it, provided that you use the right kind of vinyl siding paint and don't dramatically change the color.