Want curb appeal AND protect your biggest investment?
Asphalt shingles.
Two things homeowners should be thinking about before considering paint colours or upgraded landscaping.
While it’s tempting to start front-to-back when planning exterior upgrades. It’s important to work top-down when it comes to protecting your home.
Here’s what you should know…
What’s inside:
- Why the Roof Is The Starting Point For Every Exterior Upgrade
- Gutter Cleaning Services: The Most Overlooked Step
- The Best Exterior Upgrades to Do After the Roof
- How to Pick the Right Contractor
Why the Roof Is the Starting Point for Every Exterior Upgrade
There’s a reason 4 out of the top 5 highest-ROI projects of 2024 were exterior projects, each with returns above 90%. Buyers notice curb appeal first, and a roof represents nearly half the visible surface area of any residential exterior.
But curb appeal isn’t the only reason the roof should be first.
Neglected or damaged roofs lead to water damage, mould, fascia board rot, and foundational problems. Every single one of those is expensive to fix. That’s why any exterior upgrade begins and ends with knowing what condition the roof is in first.
Inspecting the roof properly means checking:
- Shingle condition & age
- Flashing around chimneys & vents
- The state of the fascia & soffits
- Gutter attachment points
- Signs of sagging or structural weakness
Once the roof is taken care of, whatever you do to improve the exterior of your home will actually last. The idea here is to avoid putting new siding on rotten supports.
A roofing contractor should inspect all these things as part of their initial consultation — ideally gutter cleaning services are included too! Gutter systems that are pulling away from the roofline or clogged with debris are among the leading causes of hidden water damage.
If a contractor sends someone to clean your gutters separately from the roofing inspection, that’s a red flag.
Finding a trusted Roofing Contractor in Tacoma who bundles gutter cleaning services with the roof inspection is the smartest move — and the best way to catch hidden water damage before it turns expensive.
Gutter Cleaning Services: The Most Overlooked Step
If you’re like most homeowners…
Here’s a hard truth you won’t want to hear.
Gutters are boring. Few people ever think about them, but poorly maintained gutters can destroy your home from the inside out.
Water that should be running harmlessly into a downspout and away from your home has nowhere to go when gutters clog, break, or sag.
That means water backs up under shingles, behind fascia boards, and collects against the foundation of your home. And none of those problems are visible until serious damage has occurred.
Cleaning gutters means:
- Removing debris from every channel and downspout
- Looking for sagging or loose gutter sections
- Examining seams and joints for leaks
- Flushing downspouts to ensure proper drainage
- Spotting potential problem areas where water pools
Gutters shouldn’t just be cleaned once per year either. If there are a lot of trees on the property or the home is in a storm-prone area, gutters need cleaning twice per year — preferably in late spring and again in late fall.
Think DIY gutter cleaning is enough? Most homeowners couldn’t be more wrong. Professional gutter replacement returns up to 70% ROI. Just imagine what value clean gutters add to a home.
Here’s something else to consider…
Gutter systems aren’t built to last forever. 70% of homes in America were built more than 30 years ago. Make sure gutters are up to scratch with regular professional gutter cleaning services.
The Best Exterior Upgrades to Do After the Roof
Roof and gutters accounted for? Great! Ready to tackle the rest of the home exterior.
Improve curb appeal by doing these things next:
Fascia and Soffit Replacement
Found running along the roofline, fascia boards are what gutters attach to. They’re also usually the first thing to go when gutters start to fail. When replacing these boards, use composite materials designed to stand up for decades without warping.
New fascia also just looks better. They make the roofline crisp and clean which helps with overall curb appeal.
Siding/Cladding
Changing a home’s siding is like a celebrity face lift. Everything else looks fresher when it’s brand new. Fibre cement siding is one of today’s favourites because it’s resistant to moisture, warping, and holds paint longer than wood. Not to mention, it’s easy to maintain and looks incredible.
Exterior Painting
Speaking of paint. Investing in a fresh coat for the exterior of a home is never a bad idea. Just make sure to stick to neutral colours. Bright whites, greys and blues will give the biggest return. Don’t be afraid to use colour on doors or trim once the base paint is chosen.
Driveways/Pathways
Want a home to look older? Drive up to faded asphalt or cracked concrete. Want upgrades to look finished? Consider resurfacing these areas as well.
Outdoor Lighting
Everyone forgets about lighting. Don’t be that homeowner. Outdoor lighting is inexpensive these days. Install a few fixtures that highlight the roofline, front door and landscaping without shining directly into neighbours’ windows.
How to Pick the Right Contractor
Unfortunately, not all contractors are created equal. Don’t let the exterior be a home’s weak link.
When looking for local contractors:
- Find someone with local experience and a portfolio to verify
- Check they’re licensed, insured, and hold manufacturer certifications
- Only accept written quotes with itemised pricing
- Expect them to inspect and diagnose in-person before quoting
- Search for reviews from homeowners within the same area
Gutter cleaning services should be something to ask about right away. Roofing companies who include gutter cleaning services as part of their initial visit will do a better job, and are less likely to miss damage.
Request quotes from at least two companies. Don’t be drawn in by the cheapest option. Compare each quote by what is offered, not price alone.
Once those boxes are ticked, it’s time to start upgrading the home exterior from the roof down.
Wrapping Things Up
Any home exterior upgrade starts with the roof.
Don’t forget gutters either. Schedule annual gutter cleaning services to prolong the life of the drainage system and protect the roof.
Then work outward assessing:
- Fascia
- Soffits
- Drainage systems
- Siding and paint
- Driveways
- Landscaping
The home will hold its value, avoid costly surprises down the road, and look great doing it.