Your First Exterior Remodel? Here’s What We’d Do If It Were Our Home
When it comes to your first exterior remodel, the choices can feel overwhelming—siding materials, color palettes, windows, doors, gutters, and more. At Finishing Touch, we get asked all the time: What would you do if this were your home? And it’s a great question. Because we treat every project like it’s our own, we want to give you the clearest starting point and our honest recommendations for building a smart, beautiful, and lasting exterior.
1. Start with the Building Envelope
Before choosing colors or trims, we’d first look at the health of the home’s exterior envelope—things like siding, windows, doors, and insulation. These parts of your home protect everything inside from moisture, wind, and temperature fluctuations.
If it were our home, we’d upgrade to composite siding or high-quality vinyl—something durable, low maintenance, and energy-efficient. We’d pair that with new insulated windows to cut down on heating and cooling costs and steel or fiberglass doors for both energy savings and security.
2. Choose Materials That Last
A lot of homeowners get tempted by lower upfront costs, but we always recommend investing in materials that offer long-term value. Composite materials, such as LP® SmartSide® or fiber cement siding, are engineered to resist pests, rot, and weather damage. In Montana’s unpredictable climate, durability isn’t just a bonus—it’s a necessity.
We’d also upgrade the roofing if needed. Architectural shingles or metal roofing can give your home a polished look and decades of performance.
3. Focus on Energy Efficiency
Your exterior remodel is a huge opportunity to make your home more efficient. We’d evaluate ventilation, insulation, and window performance to help your HVAC system work less. This lowers your energy bills and increases your home’s resale value. You can even qualify for energy-efficient rebates or tax credits, depending on your selections.
4. Don’t Forget Gutters and Drainage
This part gets overlooked all the time. But a great exterior doesn’t mean much if water management is poor. If it were our home, we’d install seamless gutters, properly angled downspouts, and possibly a drainage system that keeps water away from the foundation. Preventing water damage is way easier—and cheaper—than repairing it later.
5. Curb Appeal Isn’t Just Cosmetic
Yes, it’s your first impression—but it’s also a reflection of quality and care. We’d enhance curb appeal with thoughtful color selections, contrasting trim, a modern front door, and maybe even new exterior lighting. These details make your home feel welcoming and boost its market value.
6. Work with the Right Team
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, we’d want a team we trust—professionals who communicate well, keep the project on track, and do high-quality work. That’s exactly the standard we hold ourselves to at Finishing Touch. We’re here to walk you through every step, from the first site visit to the final walkthrough.
Final Thoughts
If you’re taking on your first exterior remodel, don’t let it overwhelm you. We’d recommend starting with performance, then layering in aesthetics. Focus on energy efficiency, durable materials, and water protection—and the visual beauty will follow naturally. When you treat your home like we treat ours, you end up with a project that’s built to last, looks incredible, and increases your home’s comfort and value.
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