EXTERIORS
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Smart outdoor lights can be useful throughout the backyard or garden, with choices to light up pathways, improve secu...
Q: While on a weekend road trip through New England, New York, and Pennsylvania, I couldn’t help but notice how many ...
Installing energy-efficient windows can mean major savings when it comes to energy use. According to the U. S. Depart...
Your front porch is the first thing guests see when they walk up to your home. Along with your landscaping, it’s also...
Many homes have brick facades, fireplaces, mantels, interior walls, and walkways. Although it’s a long-lasting buildi...
Q: I’d like to get a head start on cleaning the exterior of my home, but my pressure washer won’t start. How do I fin...
Outdoor motion-sensing lights illuminate your property when needed without wasting power. Much in the same way a moti...
We all know the importance of curb appeal when it’s time to sell a home, but did you know that the color of your fron...
Q: I’m about to put my house on the market and wondering what updates are worth doing before listing a home for sale....
This is the second installment of Bob Vila’s Most Valuable Projects of 2022, a month-long series featuring high-ROI h...
There are so many ways to clad your home’s exterior. Which is the most durable? Least expensive? Learn more about them so you can choose the best option for your ...
Watching birds collide with your home’s windows can be distressing. While it seems odd that these nimble creatures fl...
The Ryobi brand has long been a trusted source in power tools and lawn equipment. In recent years, the company has br...
Mother Nature can certainly take a toll on a house. Over time, grime, pollen, and green mold can all make a once-beau...
Q: I noticed the worn-out appearance of my roof as I pulled into my driveway the other day. The shingles are just 10 ...
Choosing a front door color is more challenging than it sounds because the front door is one of the first things visi...
There probably aren’t too many folks who would choose to spend a beautiful autumn afternoon cleaning gutters. The nas...
It’s not your grandmother’s house color. Black houses are popping up in neighborhoods across the country, and you may...
Over time, the outside of your home can become weathered from outdoor elements, which can result in buildup of dirt, ...
Summer is officially here, and it’s time to make sure your outdoor living space is as comfortable and inviting as your home’s interior. <br></br> <br></br> ...
Highlights The typical cost to paint a house ranges from $1,811 to $4,435, with a national average cost of $3,087. ...
Stucco—a plaster material often used to coat walls, mold architectural decorations, and texturize drywall—is a great ...
Cedar is a beautiful building material. While it can last a long time, even without stain or sealer, it can eventuall...
Add dimension, a pop of color, and plenty of style with a faux grass landscape. <br> <i>This content is paid advertising created in partnership with Artificial...
Q: My bathtub sealant needs a refresh, and I’ve decided to re-caulk the tub myself. How long does caulk take to dry b...
Gas pressure washer models can be much more effective than their electric counterparts on tough stains, cleaning larg...
Q: I want to repaint my front door to cover up some old water stains and add curb appeal. What is the best paint for ...
If you’re thinking about updating your home’s exterior, be sure to avoid these outdated, so-20th-century trends.
Like other types of masonry, brick is a high-quality cladding that never seems to go out of style. It’s more expensiv...
Exterior caulk is a thick, viscous solution that comes in a long tube and is applied with a caulking gun. It is desig...
When it's time to put your property on the market, maximizing curb appeal is crucial. We reveal the exterior house colors that are most likely to win over potenti...
When the leaves begin to blanket the ground in shades of gold and red, it’s the perfect time to update your home’s exterior and maximize the beauty of the season.
Try these low-cost, high-impact improvements to make your home look more tidy, beautiful, and welcoming. While some exterior home improvements can be pricey, leng...
A good exterior accent color should complement the main house color and add to the overall aesthetics of your property.
Boost your home’s curb appeal with one of these gorgeous vinyl siding hues, from classic neutrals to trendy bold colors.
Vinyl often trumps siding types like wood, aluminum, or fiber cement for its low maintenance and affordable attractiv...
Outdoor illumination keeps the home visible at night and helps deter crime, but leaving lights on all night is a cost...
When summer gives way to autumn, it’s time to open the doors and welcome natural light and fresh air into the house. ...
As a homeowner, you have the responsibility to keep your home safe, clean, and in compliance with city ordinances. While you may already be aware that you’re not ...
Power-washing is not a mysterious process, but if it’s done improperly, it can do serious damage. On your next power-washing project, be sure to avoid these commo...
Your home’s exterior should be beautiful and inviting, not constantly in need of repairs. As well, your time spent outdoors should be relaxing, not full of weeken...
They say that first impressions are everything—and there’s no better way for your home to make a good first impression than with a fresh coat of paint. Better yet...
Inspired by the budding greenery and aided by the warmer temperatures, homeowners inevitably get the urge to spruce t...
If the right house paint is used, the results can look fresh for a decade on a stucco surface and as long as 7 years ...
Whether replacements for existing windows or part of new construction, your home’s “eyes” to the outside world involv...
Exterior upgrades enhance the look of your property and can offer recreational benefits. Not every renovation, however, produces a return on investment, and some ...
"You don't get a second chance to make a first impression." While this phrase usually refers to people, it also applies to houses. The exterior of your home offer...
Every day, 365 days a year, I’m thinking about building products. With decades in the home building and remodeling in...
Today's vinyl siding products can mimic wood, insulate your home, and even stand up to tornado-force winds, making them a highly desirable exterior cladding option.
When it comes to picking exterior paint colors, there are a number of things to consider before making a final decision. Here are some basic do’s and don’ts to he...
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Whether you hav...
Ahead, find inspiration for a whole new palette of exterior hues. Any of these attractive house color schemes will highlight your home's best features and increas...
Wood siding that consists of narrow vertical strips or battens installed over a flat base or board is known, logicall...
Never underestimate the importance of curb appeal. Not only does your home exterior give a first impression to guests, it can also influence real estate transacti...
Prized for its classical appeal, durability, and low maintenance, brick is among the most desired types of exterior s...
While a front door's primary job is to provide security and protection from the elements, a great entry is one that b...
Despite being one of the most durable materials around, brick very visibly ages. Its crisp square edges can soften, ...
When it comes to predicting the most popular paint colors of 2018, industry experts are seeing red—and blue, and black, and gold. Strong, saturated shades are poi...
Bricks provide durable cladding for interior and exterior walls, chimneys, and fireplaces. But the mortar used to fil...
Painting the exterior of your house is a big project that can quickly turn into a huge headache if you’re not adequat...
Making the most of a new outdoor structure requires a shift in mentality. You need to think of it not merely as a backyard shed, but rather as a reflection of you...
This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Are mildew stre...
Q: Woodpeckers recently swooped in on my property and did a number on my cedar tree, siding, and roof. How do I plug ...
This article has been brought to you by Clopay. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Most folks don’t th...
The naturally distressed patina of brick adds to its desirability indoors and out, but too much dirt accumulation can...
Worn-down bricks make any home look unfashionable and outdated. Instead of shelling out big bucks to repaint their ex...
There may not be a magic wand to instantly banish years of mildew, soot, dirt, and grime from your home’s exterior, b...
Sure, house numbers make it easier for mail carriers to find the right address, or for guests to know they've reached their destination, but house numbers do so m...
Looking for a way to improve the look of a brick exterior, interior wall, or fireplace surround? Consider German smea...
Stucco siding, a type of hand-troweled masonry plaster consisting of cement, water, and sand, is a definitive feature...
Seems like just yesterday that the red brick in your family room looked perfect, but tastes change with time. Now you...
Sure, you’d love to amp up your public image and be the envy of the neighborhood. You just don’t want to work too hard at it! Lucky for you, the projects here are...
Remodeling is always a risk, but updating the outside of your house is a seriously smart investment. From framing a new addition to getting to work in the garden,...
Buckles, splinters, and cracks, oh my! These are all clear-cut signs that your vinyl siding needs to be replaced. Des...
Call them necessary evils: the utility boxes, septic tanks, and random receptacles that houses require for functional reasons. That doesn’t mean we like looking a...
Now that the worst of winter is behind us, it’s time to set our sights on relaxing, entertaining, and eating alfresco. But outfitting these spaces with decorative...
Getting ready to sell your house often involves a good deal of decluttering and sprucing up so that every room will look its best. But this presale prep shouldn't...
As long as it goes up and down on command, it’s easy to ignore your garage door. Yet this aspect of your home’s exter...
As a well-known quip notes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression. " The saying applies first and...
Autumn means cooler temps, crisper air, and, of course, pumpkins, leaves, and seasonal colors galore. Transform your front porch into a welcoming wonder with thes...
If you think your hose is the ultimate outdoor cleaning tool… think again! Some areas are just too tricky, too high or too grungy for your hose to tackle all by i...
If you were to look at pictures of all the homes built since the mid 1950s, you would notice one obvious commonality: For decades, the garage door has been the mo...
Enjoy endless hours in your backyard without worrying about too much exposure to the sun—or curious passersby. These solutions can help make your property a place...
Your home may not be as large or valuable as these celebrity pads, but don’t let that deter you from borrowing a few of these star-caliber ideas for enhancing you...
Painting your house’s exterior takes hours of hard work—even just to pick out the colors you love. And with exterior house paint costing $50 per gallon or more, y...
Here's what the real estate agent doesn't say: Owning a home near the ocean is rarely a day at the beach. Salt air pu...
This time of year, we all rely on the garden hose for any number of chores around the yard. But useful though it may ...
While we're all comfortably accustomed to the concept of spring cleaning, most of us view the effort as taking place solely indoors. It's time to reevaluate. Afte...
Most people don’t really think about the roof over their heads…until it springs a leak! Don’t wait until water is pouring through the ceiling and you have to brea...
As warm weather arrives and you emerge into the light of spring, you may become suddenly aware of all the unsightly or dreary areas that mar your home's exterior....
If you've ever tried to remove paint from brick, you know that it can be a painstaking process. Depending on the scop...
Before guests even set foot inside your home, the front entrance establishes the tone for the rest of the space. The color you choose for your door might reflect ...
There once was a big difference in appearance between natural and faux stone veneer, but the materials have evolved to be nearly indistinguishable. Natural stone ...
Choosing the cladding material for the exterior of your home involves the careful evaluation of several factors. Of c...
When you're repainting your house, here's how to restore that smooth, original finish. After you've removed all loos...
An exterior paint job is only as good as the prep you do first. Make sure to scrape and sand the surface to remove ...
Here's how to keep the exterior paint from peeling off your house, if you live in a damp climate. Using a breathable...
A fresh coat of exterior paint does wonders for the look of a home, revolutionizing its curb appeal while adding a va...
Next time you tackle a big exterior paint job, try using a power sprayer. Start at the bottom and work your way up, ...
Here is a helpful tip if you are thinking of staining some cedar shingles. To protect new shingles, apply a penetra...
There are a host of reasons that homeowners choose to paint brick:• If a brick fireplace is out of sync with the deco...
Painting your house yourself is a big commitment of time. Just think about it. It can take a professional crew of thr...
Painting the exterior of your home is a big undertaking: you'll need the right type of paint, quality tools and some ...
Even if your proposed renovation concerns only interior spaces—say, a new kitchen, or converting an old closet to a s...
Whether it's called SmartSide, Catawba, or TruWood, engineered wood siding products all claim to have a technological...
Start any exterior paint job by cleaning, scraping, and repairing the surface. Take notice of how the paint has weath...
Extreme heat or cold, moisture, and prolonged exposure to the sun all take their toll on the exterior of our homes. W...
If you’re used to taking on your own renovations, painting your home’s exterior might be a natural money-saving proje...
Choosing a paint color for your home’s exterior can be intimidating: This is a big, expensive job, and whatever color...
Vinyl siding is a durable, versatile, and resilient building material, but it does require some routine care and clea...
It's always amazed me to see workmen sanding all the paint off a home's exterior just because some of the paint is pe...
Summertime’s a great time to get to that exterior paint job you’ve been putting off. LISTENListen to BOB VILA ON EXTE...
Bob introduces homeowner Howard Brickman. Steve Ivas, an environmental engineer, describes the area wetlands, which must be accommodated. Innovative building tech...
While the house is being dried out, fiber-cement siding is put in place, as well as a cellular PVC trim that has the look of wood boards without any of the hassles.
Bob and architect Gregory Rochlin tour the exterior of Bob's 100-year-old Shingle Style home in Cambridge, MA.
Architectural conservator Brian Powell helps Bob do some detective work to discover the original exterior paint color scheme. They then look at historically appro...
A new, lower-maintenance front door is installed, as well as new bay windows.
Carpenters install new prepainted shutters made from synthetic materials, with old-fashioned hinges and hardware.
A high-tech lighting control system is reviewed, as well as furniture, storage, and decorating choices in various rooms.
Jim McLaughlin and Bob spray a finish coat of Flex Lox Masonry coating on the exterior.
Bob surveys the modular home project in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, paying special attention to the products used on the exterior of the house.
Bob looks at the order and placement of the windows on the facade of the modern Colonial. Upon closer inspection, the classically inspired fenestration, size, typ...
In a progress report, Ted Riley shows Bob the pre-primed red cedar siding , the heavy-duty metal Bilco bulkhead installation, and the Quechee home's standing seam...
Bob walks through the farmhouse interior and points out some of the challenges the home's design posed for the drywall contractors.
Latex paint is being applied on the exterior of the Vermont farmhouse by workers using airless sprayers.
Bob meets Lance Olson of Louisana Pacific as LP's Smartside lap siding is installed on a Mashpee house.
Bob meets University of Vermont professor Tom Visser in Plymouth Notch to visit the birthplace of President Calvin Coolidge. They then go to see the Burtch-Udall ...
Bob focuses on the exterior of the Manhattan Brownstone, where paint has built up over the last 100 years and now obscures the details and carvings on the facade.
Bob meets general contractor Wes Lohr at the Colonial-style affordable home in Mashpee, Massachusetts.
Bob is outside the Manhattan Brownstone to show off the refurbished facade of the building and then goes inside to show us the completed living room of the floor-...
Bob works with the general contractor Charlie Tomaszewski to move the Medford project home's original front door, so they will be able to frame up a new foyer.
Carpenter Bob Ryley meets with Jim Whiteside, construction manager with Habitat for Humanity, and Dennis Hodgrin of APA.
Volunteers are on-site at the Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build in Yonkers, NY, working hard on the siding.
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley install trim on the back porch of the Habitat for Humanity house in Yonkers, NY.
Bob learns about exterior paint that can be applied at temperatures near freezing, and also about low-odor low-VOC paints.
Bob meets with building consultant Steven Easley to learn about Tyvek: what it is, how it works, and how to install it.
Work has begun on the exterior finish. Contractors are installing the cedar trim, casing, and grounds, and continue on to begin installing the clapboard siding.
Bob looks over the finishing touches, which have been put on the front porch. Also, Bob chats with the installers of the Pine shutters.
Bob tours the exterior with general contractor Sam Daniel. Then, he joins architect John Paul Hanbury and interior designer Barbara Page, and, together, they roll...
Bob takes a grand tour of the fully restored governor's mansion in Richmond, VA.
Carpenter Bob Ryley installs plantation shutters against a bedroom wall.
Bob tours the restored façade, and the updated common areas, of the building.
Bob confers with contractor Arnold Johnson (from Crosswinds Enterprises), as he adds siding to the accessible home.
Carpenter Bob Ryley lays out and constructs a corner bracket for the accessible home.
Carpenter Bob Ryley continues to fashion a wooden bracket for the exterior of the accessible home.
Bob meets with stucco contractor Angelo Dattini, who is mixing Rinker-brand stucco with Pompano sand in a wheelbarrow.
Bob and carpenter Cortney Lofton install clapboard siding on the front porch of the bungalow. In addition, they reinforce the gable to correct an existing sag, th...
Bob examines the exterior of the home, where several layers of paint are removed, and contractor Cortney Lofton explains the techniques and tools used to restore ...
Bob assists the crew installing sidewall on the second floor of the addition.
Alongside restoration specialist Richard Marks at the Federal-style home in Charleston, Bob watches painter David Snyder scrape and sand old wood siding.
Bob talks with contractor Bob Ryley about shingle exposure, brick surrounds for basement windows, and the design of a brick walkway.
Bob joins landscape designer Ruth Foster to discuss her plan for a stone patio and hot tub. Low-voltage outdoor lighting will also be installed.
Contractors explain their methodology as they apply stucco finish to the Malibu beach house in a multiple-step process.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley create an overhang detail with eyebrow returns and cedar plywood siding.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley install southern yellow pine plywood on the interior of the garage. On the exterior, Bob talks with Greg Binford about adding a stain...
Bob meets with carpenter Ron Jackson, who is installing Atlantic white cedar shingles and sidewall flashing.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley confer about adding trim to the curvilinear top edge of an arched window. After sheet lead is installed as flashing, Ryley attaches s...
Painting contractor Mike Suarez sprays water-based stain on the home's exterior, while Bob, accompanied by paint consultant Sherry Hiller, tours the island with a...
Contractor Bob Ryley explains the process of installing the new clapboards. Using galvanized nails, the boards are added in a staggered pattern for better visual ...
Bob joins siding contractor Brian Quinn, who is constructing a beautiful gable-end sunburst fan from clapboard siding. Quinn explains how to lay out the center mo...
At the Plymouth project site, tips for exterior paint prep and application are shared.
After taking stock of progress that's been made, Bob begins wiring a hanging light fixture for a special colonial lantern in the front hall.
Bob helps carpentry contractor Bob Ryley install a bulkhead from a kit and put trim (a soffit, fascia, and drip edge) on the front façade.
Bob goes over the electrical wiring with John Hickey. Also, cedar clapboards are put up on the exterior.
Bob tours the smart finished exterior with carpentry contractor Bob Ryley.
Contractor Carleton Bergere explains the advantages of vinyl siding and demonstrates how to install it.
Bob tours the finished exterior with general contractor Ron Gan before going inside to see Christine Smyth’s spectacular decorating job.
Brick worker Dan Webb explains how the brick façade is power-washed to remove several layers of ugly paint.
The finishing touches are put on the garden while the exterior painting is completed.
Bob joins Ron Boyajian to talk over painting the exterior clapboards. The surface is power-washed, sanded, and primed. Then, acrylic paint is applied. The painter...
Bob looks on as general contractor Tim Berky clads the Queen Anne Victorian project house with clapboards, taking cues from the home's original 1890s exterior.
