As we come to the end of our series on “Designing Your Home’s Exterior”, we’d like to recap the takeaways. We’ve discussed siding colors and texture, as well as some window and door options to make your home’s exterior as stylish as your interior. By now, you’re well acquainted with the main elements of your home’s exterior design: windows, doors, and siding. We’ve talked about options such as Simonton Vinyl Windows, Mastic Vinyl Siding, ProVia Entry Doors and James Hardie Siding. We’ve even touched on Stucco and Stone siding.
But now that we’ve talked about choices, let’s talk about how each of these exterior design elements contribute to the whole. What do windows, doors, and siding each bring to your Kansas City home, and what should you look for when considering these products?
Windows
As we’ve said in previous blogs, windows are the eyes of your home. They allow you to look out from the interior and for others to get a glimpse inside from the exterior. Your windows tie your exterior home design into the interior design of your home. So, when you’re looking for windows, you want to find styles that look as great on the inside of your home as they do on the outside. The shape of your windows can accentuate the architectural design of your home. For instance, windows with soft curves, stylish frames, and custom grills work well with classic homes while sharp angles, unobstructed glass, and minimalist frames best suit modern homes.
Windows also play a large role in energy efficiency. Good windows minimize air leaks in your home and help to light your home during the day. You can also choose window styles, such as double-hung or casement, that offer more ventilation, boosting your energy efficiency even further.
Doors
It’s rare to see an entry door that doesn’t stand out. Not only do entry doors welcome guests into your home, but they often serve as a point of contrast to your porch or your home’s siding. It’s for this reason that you often see entry doors painted in bold colors or carved in elegant styles. They may even come with decorative glass to create a more dramatic effect.
Security is also an important consideration when it comes to exterior doors. You want your door to be durable enough to withstand harsh weather, but also to withstand attempts to break into the home, which is why fiberglass and steel doors are rising in popularity. Energy efficiency plays a role here, too, as exterior doors can often be responsible for air leaks.
Siding
One of the first things you might imagine when you consider the home of your dreams is the color. Maybe you want a gray house or a yellow house. Maybe you prefer a more natural look like stone. This all comes down to the siding you choose. New siding will not only instantly increase the curb appeal of your Kansas City home, but it can also improve energy efficiency if you make a smart choice. Maintenance is also something to consider with siding. Ideally, you want to find siding that will last for years with as little maintenance as possible. It’s for this reason that wood siding is becoming less popular and products like vinyl and fiber cement are rising.
Finally, it’s imperative that homeowners choose a reputable company who can professionally assist them with their siding selections. With 40+ years of experience in Kansas City and thousands of happy customers, the company to contact is Johnson County Siding & Window Co., Inc. Contact us today for more information about “Designing Your Home’s Exterior”. We offer free consultations and would love to help you transform the exterior of YOUR home!
