Transform your home’s exterior on a low budget

When homeowners think of cleaning and beautifying their homes, they always neglect the exterior and yet it plays a vital role in the overall beauty of a home.

Be creative with paint

To keep a home’s exterior looking great, specific paints must be used to enhance its beauty. Bashir Masembe, an exterior designer with Nomaro Wallpapers, says before choosing the colour of paint to apply on the exterior, the environment and neighbourhood must be considered.

“In case of dusty neighbourhoods, a shade of cream mixed with brown gives amazing results,” he says.

Ian Sendagala, an expert painter says to give an old house a new exterior look, one may start by painting the shutters in different colours. He recommends non-bright colours which are not too dull to give the home a beautiful appearance or too bright to attract a lot of dust.

Upgrade your balcony

Everyone loves a beautiful garden, but many prefer it with a great balcony from which to enjoy it. A balcony creates a relaxing centre that can host visitors. It is also ideal for personal work and study.

Keep your lawn clean

When a lawn is mowed, the benefits are immediately noticed. Joshua Gwamoiza, a landscaper adds that when the grass is mowed, the lawnmower’s blades eliminate pests.

If the compound is mowed on a regular basis, there are less chances of harbouring dangerous bugs. The driveway must be free from any form of cracks and the plants well-trimmed and maintained at all times.

Tend a garden

One can also use plants to beautify the exterior of a home. Mulch the flower beds to reduce weeds and help them retain moisture thereby beautifying the home. Rake dead leaves from the yard because a layer of dead leaves prevents sunlight, water and nutrients from reaching your grass. Also, removing them will leave the place neat. “Flowers beautify one’s home, especially if they are planted in a way where they can rhyme with the home’s setting.

Maintain the roof

The roof is a vibrant part of a home that gives and controls temperature. Roofs can last long if well cleaned, at least once a year. This is because they possess moss, algae, dirt and stain which eventually damage them if not cleaned off.

Chris Kato, a roof maker adds that there is need to look at the roof and examine it for either missing or damaged shingles and repair it immediately. There is need to clean the gutter by freeing them of tree seeds and leaves that lead to water overflow, mold, rot, pest infestations and flooding.

These activities threaten the lifespan of the shingles as well messing up the paint. “Gutters should divert water and direct it far from the house to the tank,” he says.

Pressure wash exterior walls

No matter what type of wall a house has, it must be periodically pressure-washed to remove mould and dirt. Victoria Nannozi, a cleaning expert says while washing the walls, one must keep the doors and windows closed to prevent water from splashing into the house.

Doors and windows

Nannozi adds that it is also important to clean your exterior doors. However, avoid using abrasive tools that may scratch the door. Do not scour or power-wash the door, but simply wipe it down with wood cleaner or diluted dish soap.

As you clean the door, there is need to inspect it as well to look for any damages like cracks in the glass or frame.  Also, look out for moisture and fog in between panels and splits.