{"id":24730,"date":"2021-04-29T14:37:15","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T14:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/?p=24730"},"modified":"2021-04-29T14:37:45","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T14:37:45","slug":"for-outdoor-improvements-that-are-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/for-outdoor-improvements-that-are-worth-it\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a3 for \u00a3: Outdoor Improvements that are Worth It!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- SEO Ultimate Plus (https:\/\/seoultimateplus.com) - Code Inserter module -->\n<script async>(function(s,u,m,o,j,v){j=u.createElement(m);v=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0];j.async=1;j.src=o;j.dataset.sumoSiteId='b68b392479b5981b8acf46565e9fe32a0734fc21a1f7c1e60121eaa6ca1a1c64';v.parentNode.insertBefore(j,v)})(window,document,'script','\/\/load.sumo.com\/');<\/script>\n<!-- \/SEO Ultimate Plus -->\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most homeowners, our houses are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/property\/house-and-home\/why-your-home-is-your-biggest-asset-415682.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our greatest assets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so it makes sense that we want to make the most of our investment. We are always looking for ways to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/home-improvement-tips-101-increasing-the-value-of-your-home\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">improve our homes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and add to their value. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-24731 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Blog6-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"525\" height=\"347\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of us look around our home and imagine makeovers. But while you\u2019re considering those indoor improvements such as new cabinet hardware and bath fixtures, don\u2019t neglect the exterior of your home. From little details such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trexprotect.com\/uk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flashing tape<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to big-ticket items like a new roof or a paved drive, you can get a substantial return on investment (ROI) by upgrading your outdoor spaces. Here are a few improvements that are worth it:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Taking care of maintenance<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With warmer weather, take time to walk around your home and do a mini inspection. What toll did winter take on your home\u2019s exterior? Assessing and fixing broken items earlier may mean the difference between a small cost now or a larger one later. Not only will maintenance prevent damage and make your home more livable, but it will also help to maintain or increase your home\u2019s value. Here\u2019s a punch list of what to check:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doors: Do you need to paint or repair your exterior entrances?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drainage, grading, and retaining walls: Check after a rain. Where do you see water pooling or standing?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garage: If your garage door isn\u2019t working well, you may need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/guides4homeowners.co.uk\/doors\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-repair-a-garage-door\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fix or replace<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the door or motor. If it\u2019s squeaky, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wd40.co.uk\/tips-and-tricks\/how-to-lubricate-garage-doors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lubricate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the rollers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wallcoverings, flashing and trim: Check for cracks or missing pieces. Be sure your home is watertight. Wash away any dirt or algae growth with a power washer, but be mindful of paint and timbers, which can be damaged by high pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patios, drives and walkways: Do you need to repair cracks or lay new blocks or concrete?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Balconies, decks, steps, and porches: Pay special attention to railings and boards that may be loose. Check closely for wood rot.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roof, including chimneys and skylights: Are there missing shingles? Bring in a pro if you don\u2019t have a safe way to inspect.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Downspouts and gutters: A faulty gutter or downspout can lead to leaks and a damaged foundation. Don\u2019t take any chances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows: Do you see any cracks or damage that should be repaired? If you have windows that won\u2019t open or are leaking air or water, it may be time to replace them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Build a garden deck<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-24732 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Blog7-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"510\" height=\"335\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new deck can be a lovely addition to your garden. Today\u2019s materials allow you to build almost any shape and size \u2014find a design that matches your style. Check out your options for materials, sizes, colours, and special features. Look at your landscape and what will fit best: multi-level, multi-coloured, curved or straight, two-story or ground level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Materials matter. Decide between traditional treated wood or low-maintenance composite deck boards. Composite comes in many different hues and textures, as does wood, which can be stained light or dark, brown or grey. While wood is less expensive, composite will save you from having to seal the wood year after year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add lighting, comfy seating and beautiful accents such as pillows and outdoor rugs. Lights can be as simple as solar caps for your posts or hard-wired into the construction of your deck. String lights are a fun, temporary way to make your deck more festive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-24733 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Blog8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"507\" height=\"339\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about the accents that will most help you feel at home. Water features and fire tables are increasingly popular. Add a swing, a hammock or a lounger to make space your own!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Green up!<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving your garden can be a big job, but it doesn\u2019t have to be. Start simple: make your lawn greener. Raise your lawnmower blade a half-inch, give the lawn a good soak early in the morning, use the mulching feature on your mower for added moisture and use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/advice\/profile?pid=304\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fertiliser<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and weed killer at the recommended time. Keep soil from compacting by aerating annually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have more time and interest, cultivate beds around the garden and add potted plants to porches and decks. Use risers to keep pots off deck boards to avoid wood rot. Also, make sure the pots have proper drainage; add rocks and drill a hole in the bottom. For flower beds, clean out weeds regularly and reapply mulch to retain moisture. Look at landscaping magazines and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.housebeautiful.com\/lifestyle\/gardening\/g2456\/landscaping-ideas\/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=arb_ga_hbl_d_bm_g2456&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw6-SDBhCMARIsAGbI7UhGC8TO4sfmnSG2GLF_GOmm8PAbyCAYv6HWf1Xvpy0PLxojM4BbO1UaAr9lEALw_wcB\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">websites<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for inspiration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-24734 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Blog-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"488\" height=\"362\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Survey your trees and shrubs and cut back any dangerous limbs or overgrown vegetation. If you\u2019d like to plant new trees but don\u2019t have the lifting and digging power, consider having a professional bring in equipment to help make the job easier. If you decide to DIY planting trees, dig a hole about two to three times the size of the root ball.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Give your neighbours something to talk about<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re ready to make a splash, consider bigger exterior improvements, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pettyson.co.uk\/about-us\/our-blog\/268-9-high-roi-home-improvements\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">always calculate the ROI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A new conservatory can have a return on investment as high as 108%! While this may be considered an interior renovation, it\u2019s a lovely way to bring the outdoors in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other big investments with strong ROI include a new roof, an extension, a new fence or a garage. Talk to a trusted builder to make plans and estimate a budget. Enjoy your exterior spaces more and get more quid when it\u2019s time to sell!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h6>Ref number:\u00a0THSI-2292<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For most homeowners, our houses are our greatest assets, so it makes sense that we want to make the most of our investment. We are always looking for ways to improve our homes and add to their value. Many of<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/for-outdoor-improvements-that-are-worth-it\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wl_entities_gutenberg":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","spay_email":""},"categories":[1,700,16],"tags":[],"wl_entity_type":[602],"modified_by":"THS","_wl_alt_label":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","wl:entity_url":"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/post\/_for___outdoor_improvements_that_are_worth_it","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24730"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24730"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24735,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24730\/revisions\/24735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24730"},{"taxonomy":"wl_entity_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wl_entity_type?post=24730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}