With more folks deciding to stay put in their homes and shift their focus to elevating the look and feel of their existing residence, they are not only thinking of major interior renovations to the kitchen and bathrooms, but also considering several exterior projects that can both enhance curb appeal and increase a home's value.

We spoke with several industry experts from across the region to get a sense of some of the more popular ways homeowners can give their exterior a much-needed boost. One key place to start is with your garage doors.

Fadi Baaklini, owner of ProLift Garage Doors, points out that upgrading your garage doors can have an almost 100% return on investment, and is considered one of the top ways to increase a home's value for under $10,000.

No matter what style of door a homeowner chooses, Baaklini emphasizes the need to ensure it complements the rest of the home to create a harmonized look and a sense of belonging.

"People typically spend many tens of thousands of dollars on their siding, but they forget to think about how their garage door goes into the mix. ... But it can really change the way the whole thing is put together," he says.

Following this harsh winter we have experienced in our area, some homeowners may want to consider adding insulated garage doors, but Baaklini advises against that expense unless you already have a heated garage or find yourself spending large amounts of time in the space year-round.

Though the garage has become the predominant entry way into the home, that does not mean homeowners are not looking for a stunning front door that commands attention.

For all door and window projects, Sarah Jammer of Jammer Doors says its imperative to first consider the style of the home to help homeowners make more informed decisions regarding choosing the best designs to complement the architecture.

One of the more popular entry door systems today comes from ProVia, a company known for its quality craftmanship in building doors that are engineered for both durability and security.

"ProVia is an excellent, high quality front entry door system that not only has the looks and appeal that will boost a home's value, or just curb appeal in general, but also offers highly rated security and privacy with different privacy glasses," says Jammer.

Levi Esh, owner of Pencroft Ridge Construction, says other popular ways to boost curb appeal include a sensibly redesigned porch and the addition of a portico, but adds that upgraded siding can truly transform the look of your home's exterior and create intrigue about the rest of the house.

"I am going to say that it can just completely change [the look of] your house. Your house kind of speaks for who is living in it and it really can make a huge difference," he says.

Adam Parnes, vice president of marketing at Global Home Improvement, also notes that difference new siding can have on a home's exterior. But while the familiarity of vinyl siding makes it the preferred choice for many, Parnes instead suggests fiber cement siding from James Hardie, due to its durability, the rich colors available and the realistic wood-grain texture it offers.

What's more, Parnes notes how new gutters, specifically the black gutters that are trending, can also refresh the look of your exterior.

"From an appearance standpoint, black gutters have become extremely popular because they give the home a clean, modern look and really frame the roofline, especially on lighter-colored exteriors. They also blend beautifully with darker roofs and trim, so they don't stand out in a bad way," he says.

For the performance aspect, Parnes says that half-round gutters allow water to flow more efficiently, reducing buildup and clogging less over time.

When it comes to outdoor lighting and its impact on the exterior appearance of a home, Tim Teed of Vesta Lights expresses the importance of creating a safe environment while choosing lighting methods that heighten the home's features without going overboard.

"You are not trying to light up the house like a hotel, you are trying to use accent lighting to complement the architectural house. It's more for the appearance aspect of it, as well as considering the safety and the security, especially, if it's a real dark neighborhood," says Teed.

No matter which exterior project you choose to tackle first, these improvements help to beautify your home while also adding value, creating an inviting environment that will be enjoyed by family and friends for many more years to come.

RESOURCES:
Jammer Doors
Lawrenceville, N.J. & Yardley, Pa.
(609) 883-0900
JammerDoors.com

Pencroft Ridge Construction, LLC
Quarryville, Pa.
(717) 786-4124
PencroftRidgeConstruction.com

ProLift Garage Doors
Landsdale, Pa.
(267) 337-5355
ProLiftDoors.com

Vesta Lights
Serving Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Bucks County in Pa. & New Castle County, Del.
(484) 267-5868
VestaLights.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 11 (January/February 2026)
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