Top 5 Ideas For Curb Appeal That Adds Value

The key to coming out ahead in the curb appeal game is knowing where to invest your time and money, and choosing the plantings, ornaments or wrought iron railings gates that will add value. Here are 5 little strategies that yield big payoffs.



#1. Make Your House Smile

Make sure the front door as well as all window and door trim are freshly painted and free of scuffs, nicks and dirt. Are the windows clean and do the curtains and blinds match and look inviting? Tip: To see how your house looks, take a picture; you will notice flaws you never knew were there.

#2. De-clutter the Porch and Yard

As much as possible keep bicycles, toys, garden tools, and what-was-I-thinking lawn ornaments out of sight in the garage or backyard.  Beware of the temptation to let shoes, sports equipment, and bundles of paper bound for the recycling bin linger on the porch. Edging flower beds, keeping hedges trimmed, and regular mowing also help create a spacious vista.

#3. Invest in Durable High-Quality Attractions

Instead of flowers that are labor intensive and must be replaced each season, invest in permanent features such as brick or stonework, planters, or a pergola leading to the side yard. When you add permastructure, buy the best materials you can afford. Wrought iron railings gates and fences cost little more than aluminum yet last far longer and add far more value to your house.

#4. Just Add Shade

Trees help trim heating and cooling bills and they will give your home a well-established look that is highly prized in our land of raw, sprawling suburbs. If you live in a newly developed area, buy the largest tree you can afford, while those who dislike tending flowers can still enjoy spring blossoms by choosing flowering and fruit trees. 

#5. Use Planters and Borders

When it comes to front-of-the-house curb appeal, flower beds need careful planning and tending to avoid looking either messy during growth periods or bare during seasonal shifts. Choose low plants and confined areas, such as a border area around trees and shrubs. Containers such as planters and window boxes are easier to tend and can become strong design features.  For example, if the front of your house is symmetrical and has a centered front door, planters on either side will add a sense of importance to your entry area.

Many home owners wait to spruce up their place until it is time to sell, and never get to enjoy the pleasure of living with their investment.  Keeping a tidy, well-maintained house and yard and adding permanent value boosters like trees, planters and wrought iron railings gates allows you to enjoy your investment today and still reap the rewards when you move on.

Wrought Iron Railing: Factors To Consider When Choosing Railings

Wrought iron railings offer magnificent reinforcement to stairways, staircases and side steps. They not only enhance safety but also add marvelous esthetic appeal to any home. The railings usually come in a wide array of designs and varieties. Additionally, they are easily customizable and could be designed to blend well with your interior décor. Whether the railings are for a deck or balcony; their overall appearance really adds to the elegance of both residential and commercial buildings.

Just like is the case with other iron products, wrought iron railings may also be used in concert with other material such as wood. This usually makes for a great combination, especially if you want to blend traditional and modern styles. It is, however, important to ensure that some of the structures, such as the balcony, are made entirely of iron since they need to hold up tightly in natural elements. Studies show that the demand for wrought iron dates back in 1860s when it was adopted in the manufactures of swords, warships and rail. The description was brought about by the fact that they were ‘wrought’ using hands.

There are many motifs and themes from which you can choose for your railings; thanks to the wide selection of manufacturers. The lean economic times in the US, and the rest of the world, has prompted manufactures to design railings that are less expensive but still maintain a sophisticated and elegant touch. The market is also awash with pre-packaged kits ideal for the DIY enthusiasts.

Creating a flow in your home could be a good idea when setting out to buy wrought iron products. Before buying iron railings, consider how they would match other items in your home such as gates, doors, chandeliers and other fixtures. The right match would create an element of consistency in your home décor. The major benefit of these products is that they can last for centuries without your home losing its luster.

Another important thing that you need to ensure is that you hire a qualified iron worker, with requisite experience, to do the wrought iron railings installations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics stipulates that such workers should have the expertise to perform tasks such as the installation of iron on windows, doors, curtain walls, railings and other structural frameworks that may be needed for the improvement of the building. According to the Bureau, iron workers in the US totaled 97,000 in 2008. 40 percent of these workers have union membership. Be prepared to pay an hourly rate of between $12 and $37 for the service; depending on your location.

Wrought iron railings can add unmatched appeal to a residential or commercial building quite admirably. Iron has the ability to withstand harsh conditions such as storms and snowfall. It also provides sturdiness and longevity. Some of the major factors that you should have in mind whenever you want to buy these products include your personal preferences, the budget and eventually the intended décor.