I waited all winter for the weather to change, so that I could perform a home improvement project on the exterior of my house to increase its value. For years, the paint has been peeling off the wooden exterior of my home, and I was not sure whether I should do the repairs on my own, or hire a professional. With the right tools, and a little bit of education, I was able to transform the exterior of my dull and lifeless looking exterior into a beautiful home.
This Is How I Did It
The painting part of the house was the easiest part. Preparing all of the surfaces to accept the new paint was the most challenging and difficult part. I spent weekends working on the exterior of the home, to take away all of the peeling paint, so that I could prepare the surface.
On the first weekend, I rented a power washer from my local home improvement center so that I could wash down the exterior of the home. By carefully adjusting the spray so that I did not dig into the old wood, I used the high power pressure sprayer. With just the right adjustment, I was able to remove nearly all of the paint on its own, without the need to have to scrape the entire area of the siding on the house.
I was happy that I did not take the pressure washer back to the home improvement center at the end of the first day. By next morning, the wetness of the water of the pressure equipment had released much of the other paint that had been stuck on there. I quickly gave it another once over, before returning the equipment back to the home improvement center. It saved a significant amount of work, and endless hours of scraping away at the peeling paint.
Once all the paint had been scraped away, I was able to get to work on the windows and doors. I had to remove all the existing caulking, so that I could apply new caulking and sealing to the huge gaps where the siding meets the wooden door trim.
Next, I re-glazed the windows, and replaced much of the broken glass with new pieces. With all the windows and doors operating properly, with high-quality sealant and weatherproofing, I was now ready to begin the painting process.
I made sure that I purchase the highest grade paint that I could afford. I decided to stay away from contractor grade, and even economy grade, and saved up to make sure that the best paint possible was applied to the siding. This would minimize my need to have to repaint in a few years, and go through this entire process all over again.
It only took one weekend to paint the entire surface of the exterior of the home. This is because I rented an airless sprayer to minimize the amount of energy required to do the job. After finishing off all the window door and trim, my home looks brand-new. The siding is protected for many years to come because I chose a high quality of paint.
READ ALSO >> Modernizing the House with a Home Improvement Project
My Idea Of Home Improvement
When other people think of home improvement, I guess they think of the exterior parts of their home: the doors, the windows, the roofs, even the gardens. But when I think of home improvement, I imagine how it looks inside and how it makes me feel. What use is the outside of my house when I can’t enjoy it inside?
Recently I did some redecorating. My room was very drab and I hadn’t changed it at all since moving back home. The first thing I did was take down the old posters from my childhood. You know, stuff from cartoons and old boy bands that mean nothing to me anymore. (Seriously, how did I ever like them?) This left me with a huge white wall. First things first – I painted it orange! Yes, orange! It’s such a fun and vibrant color that instantly picks up my mood whenever I walk into the room now.
After that I changed my bedspread. To go with the orange walls I got light pink sheets and a hot pink comforter. Doesn’t orange and pink just go great together? Well, at least I think so. I also moved the bed to the other corner of the room. Next the dresser had to be moved. Originally it was near the door, which was terrible if the dog accidentally bumped it open when I was changing. I moved it around the half wall to give me some extra privacy.
Then the daunting part. Because I moved all this other big stuff, I had to move smaller stuff as well, like my desk and bookshelves. The desk wasn’t terrible, but the bookshelves! I had to take out every little thing to make sure the valuables didn’t fall out. Shoot, I ended up throwing most of that stuff away! Who needs art projects from second grade? Instead I put up my souvenirs from study abroad. Much more mature.
My family is really impressed with what I have done. I think I have inspired them to start redoing their own rooms. My mom is really into interior decorating and she’s got some ideas for the dining room, which is drab and boring. I’ve got some leftover orange paint…think she wants it? Maybe she doesn’t know she wants it now, but I’m sure she’ll come around!
My father is the only one who doesn’t get it. He’s the tool guy who’d rather build things than decorate. He’d be happy with an empty shell of a room with just a bean bag chair and the TV. Not me. I have to love the space I’m in.
Since improving my bedroom, I’m a lot happier now. Because the sun no longer shines on my bed in the morning, I sleep longer and better. The new colors refresh me from the moment I wake up. The added security makes me feel better about little things, like changing my clothes. I wish I had thought of this sooner. Making everything inside my house nice makes me feel nice inside too!