Cleary Company: Design Build Remodel

Tag: home curb appeal

  • Choosing Exterior Colors for Your Home

    Choosing Exterior Colors for Your Home

    Is your home ready for an exterior makeover? Whether your home is past due for new paint or you want to transform your curb appeal with fresh new design elements or architectural details, the Remodel-Design-Build Team at The Cleary Company in Columbus, Ohio is ready collaborate!

    Project Developer/Designer, Jen Sommers, CR has reviewed exterior paint colors and has tips for you on choosing the right color for your home’s exterior. While the color options seem endless, choosing a color combines a bit of science and a lot of personal preference.

    The science comes into play with the amount of light your exterior receives, the style of your home, what landscape surrounds your house, and the colors of your neighbors’ homes. Preference relies on your taste, the style of your home, any community restrictions, the landscape surrounding your home, and what your vision entails. There are some common factors between the science and preference, but it usually boils down to some combination of the two.

    Home Exterior Green Color Palette from Sherwin Williams

    What colors are trending?

    Nature-inspired color palettes are beautiful for the whole house or as an accent color. These tones usually have some brown undertones, and shades of greens, and blues. They invoke feelings of warmth and coziness. A good exterior color design plan becomes part of the landscape, complementing the yard and plants around the home.

    Check out these favorites!

    Dark Shades, including black, are gorgeous, modern and timeless. Take nature one step further with bold yet neutral colors. Using dark shades can be tricky, as they don’t reflect much light. Noticing the trees and the direction of the sun will help determine if a dark shade is the right look for your home. An idea would be to use bold, dark colors for the trim and shutters, or color-block one area, instead of painting the whole home. With that said, a dark color exterior can be simply stunning! Check out PPG’s website for their Best Black Exterior Paint Colors.

    Shades of Gray seem to always be on trend. Other than white they are the ultimate neutral. The options are endless from cool to warm and dark to lighter tones. Examples we love include:

    Warm neutrals transform your home in a classic way. Bright whites continue to be a good option, as well as off-white and subtle yellows. You really can’t go wrong with a neutral color, as it reflects light and works with any landscaping palette. The following are our favorites:

    How to choose the right paint color for your exterior

    Different shades of paint can affect your mood and perception, so you should spend some time contemplating colors before painting your home’s exterior. This includes not only a color for the siding, but contrasting or complementary colors for the trim, shutters, doors, and roof. How they all combine will create your home’s unique style or aesthetic.

    1. What is your roof color? Start here so that the palette you choose will balance with the color of the roof.
    2. What else is part of the exterior that you need to consider? Is there stonework or brick?
    3. What is your goal with the main color of your home?
      • Blend in vs Stand out
      • Pop from the landscaping vs Complement the landscaping
      • Follow HOA requirements or Show your personality
    4. How often will you need to clean it or repaint? Light colors can dirty and can show imperfections. Dark colors can fade quicker and absorb more heat.
    5. Accent colors – typically, 2-3 colors (trim, shutters and doors), work well together. Using more than that can get a bit busy.
    6. Drive around the neighborhood and look at homes. What interests you?
    7. What is the architecture of your home? You might want to adhere to colors that reflect the style of your home.

    Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, we recommend getting samples to paint a few areas of the exterior. Look at them throughout the day to see how the color changes based on the sun and shade. Don’t be afraid to try several different paint colors until you find what will work for you. Remember, it’s your home that you’ll look at each day. Do what makes you happy and incorporate the colors that work for you.

    Need more Inspiration?

    Visit our website to view a portfolio of our exterior remodeling projects.

    Ready to make an update to your home’s curb appeal? If you’re inspired by all of the choices available for your home’s exterior, contact us today to get started on your project!

  • Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

    Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

    Your home is likely your largest asset and you probably plan on spending many years living there. So then, why not protect your investment? Over the past 27 years, The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build in Columbus Ohio has seen many great homes with hidden damage that could’ve been prevented with proper home maintenance.

    Home maintenance is one of those things that’s easy to forget or put off because many tasks only need to be done once in a while or a few times a year. Water damage is the number 1 culprit that weakens your home’s foundation, the very core that holds your house together. Before you forget, review the following checklist of recommended home maintenance items you should complete in April & May to protect your home and keep your family safe.

    Staying on top of your home’s maintenance can prevent future expensive repairs.

    April:

    • Wash windows – Winter weather can wreak havoc on the exterior of your home. Washing the windows will rid your home of some exterior grime but you may also uncover minor or major damage from snow & ice. We recommend the squeegee method shown in this video. Make sure water is not getting inside your home. Replace any damaged caulking or flashing immediately.
    • Clean gutters & downspouts – Spring showers are great for bringing winter foliage and flowers back to life however you do not want that water to penetrate your home. Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear of any debris will move any falling water away from your home. HouseLogic.com has many helpful DIY home maintenance tips as well as step-by-step instructions for cleaning your gutters. Again while you are cleaning the gutters and downspouts, inspect for any damage and promptly make repairs as needed.
    • Check foundation, basement walls & exterior siding for any cracks or leaks – Water is no friend to wood, stucco, concrete, etc. Keeping your home’s foundation dry is important in maintaining your home’s integrity. Watch this video to learn how to spot issues which can lead to problems and when it’s best to call a professional. Some types of cracks, when ignored, can lead to severe damage.

    May:

    • Pressure wash your deck – Removing any mold or moss will help with extending your deck’s longevity and also keep your family and guests safe. After washing is completed inspect your deck for stains, hazards or water damage and make repairs as needed.
    • Inspect clothes dryer vents –  Check the exterior vent outlet for blockages due to lint or other debris and remove. Here’s a handy tutorial from wikiHow!
    • Check smoke & CO2 detectors & fire extinguishers – According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least twice a year. If you have hardwired detectors it is recommended they be upgraded after 10 years. Most fire extinguishers last between 5 and 15 years, according to manufacturers. Check the tag on your extinguisher for dates and manufacturer’s instructions. A fire extinguisher with a gauge should be checked every month to make sure it is properly charged.

    If you, a neighbor or family member needs financial assistance maintaining a home, Modcon Living’s Safe at Home program can help! The program offers quality emergency repairs and home modifications to homeowners, with priority to seniors and physically disabled who have limited income, to live in safe and healthy homes. Services are provided by dedicated volunteers, professional contractors, and staff at no cost to qualified homeowners.

  • Updating Your Home’s Curb Appeal

    Updating Your Home’s Curb Appeal

    The front or curbside view of a home is an important first impression to your neighbors and visitors but what are some ways you can add architectural interest and value to your home’s exterior curb appeal?

    Remodeling projects that upgrade the exterior look of your home have historically had the best ROI for homeowners according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs Value report. This yearly report consists of national averages on job costs, resale value and costs recouped percentage and is also broken down by region and by several major cities. View the full 2021 report for Columbus, OH here.

    For over 27 years The Cleary Company has been remodeling homes in central Ohio. The following exterior remodeling projects have been in high demand for the past 5-10 years. Why? Read on to find out how you can get you the biggest bang for your buck remodeling your home in Columbus Ohio.

    4 Upgrades to Boost the Value on Your Home’s Exterior

    1 – Get a whole new look by replacing the siding. Changing the design and/or architectural details of your home’s front exterior can breath new life and energy into it’s curb appeal. Whether you decide on fiber-cement or vinyl siding you can accept an ROI of up to 68%.

    Before
    After
    Westerville, OH – Exterior Remodel – all new siding, doors, front porch deck & column and lighting

    2 – Create visual interest by adding a stone veneer to accent your home’s exterior. There are a variety of colors and styles on the market. Hamilton Parker has a great selection of veneer stone. Visit their showroom or website. This project can also net you a high return percentage in resale value with a local average return of up to 89%!

    Westerville, OH – 2 story Exterior Remodel – all new siding with accent of stone veneer on porch, also new columns, garage door, shutters and lighting.

    3 – Replace your garage door. What’s distinguishing about most garage doors? Not much and a lack of notable detail can create an imposing facade from the street. A garage that takes center stage for a home’s curbside view should present a welcoming face. A garage door upgrade can also increase the home’s value and net homeowners up to 95% of the dollars recouped!

    Before & Proposed Rendering
    After
    Upper Arlington, OH – Split Level Exterior Remodel – all new doors, lighting, columns and siding.

    4 – Upgrade the entry to your home with a new front door. Entry door choices are almost endless with a variety of materials, styles, finishes and colors available and a number of other additional options to consider like glass or no glass, painted or stained, hardware, etc. Our Clients like Masonite brand doors for their selection, quality and reputation. Visit their website for the full entry door product gallery. Homeowners can also recoup an average of up to 68% of their investment from a front door replacement.

    Columbus, OH – The Knolls – Exterior Remodel – New front door – Craftsman style, solid wood with custom art glass panes.

    Ready to make a change to your home’s curb appeal?

    Visit our Exteriors portfolio for more inspiration or schedule a phone call with our Home Services Team today!

  • Exterior Remodel in Westerville OH

    Exterior Remodel in Westerville OH

    Westerville homeowners modernize the curb appeal of their ’80s home

    Read more about this project in Westerville Magazine.

    AFTER: Craftsman style details upgrade the look of this suburban 2 story.

    BEFORE: