As the winter chill fades away and spring begins to show its face, it's a great opportunity to consider refreshing your home's exterior for a rejuvenated look. Starting your home exterior remodeling project in late winter offers several benefits, including access to contractors before their peak season and potential discounts on materials.

Outlining the Benefits of Starting a Remodel in late Winter

Prior to starting your restoration project, it's crucial to assess key elements like the current condition of your property, the architectural style, and the surrounding landscape. Your enhancements will not just enhance the visual appeal of your home, but they will also address any structural issues that may have existed.

Key Design Elements to Assess Before Beginning Exterior Remodeling

The design trends for the year 2024 feature color palettes that combine earthy tones with vibrant accents. This conveys a positive outlook and a strong bond with the natural world. Enhancing the facade involves incorporating textures that mimic natural elements, like stone or wood grain, to create a more captivating look.

To achieve a balance between design and durability, it's crucial to choose materials with a long lifespan. Recent advancements in manufacturing have led to the creation of innovative solutions that are both visually appealing and durable against weathering. Materials like stucco, fiber cement siding, or high-quality vinyl are known for their durability and come with warranties for their products.

Cutting-Edge Design-Build Trends for Home Exteriors

Customization and creativity will be key in home exterior design. Recent trends showcase a bold mix of new materials, adventurous color selections, and the integration of technology, all while maintaining a focus on environmental conservation. Integrating textured surfaces, interactive lighting, and expansive glass elements into residential facades is a growing trend, giving these structures a modern and sophisticated look.

The blend of historical and modern elements often creates a unique appearance. For example, a visually appealing exterior can be achieved by combining clean and minimalist lines with durable brick or stone. By blending traditional design with modern construction, it's feasible to honor historical features while staying up-to-date.

Following a systematic process when renovating the exterior of a property ensures that the final result will be both visually appealing and durable, offering a modern update that aligns with current trends.

The summer months call us to spend time outside enjoying the lovely weather and soaking up some Vitamin D. As you’re enjoying your outdoor time, maybe you’ve noticed a few issues with the exterior of your home that need to be addressed. Here are seven signs that your home could use an exterior renovation:

  1. You feel like your home is looking dated – If you continually pull up to your house feeling out of place from the rest of your updated neighborhood, it may be time to give it a refresh. To keep your house feeling current and well loved, some exterior renovations may be necessary. It doesn’t always have to be a huge project, even adding some shutters or updating the address numbers is all it takes.
  2. The paint is starting to chip or flake – If you’re noticing paint chipping or flaking, or maybe faded sections, this is a sign that your home is asking for some TLC. Often this is just a cosmetic issue and is relatively simple to fix. Before issues get worse, consider getting a quick coat of fresh paint on there.
  3. The landscaping doesn’t match the home – If you’ve spent a lot of time and money on a beautifully landscaped yard, you’ll feel even more satisfied with the project if your home matches that look. If you’re home looks run down but your yard looks immaculate, it’s going to feel unbalanced.
  4. You plan on selling the home sometime soon – The first impression of your home is the exterior. Realtors and buyers may not remove a home from their list because of an unattractive exterior, but they’ll definitely think twice about it. Even if you don’t plan to sell right away, if you know it’s in the cards sometime in the future, start with little renovations now and keep up on it so you can enjoy the upgrades before you put the for sale sign up.
  5. The inside doesn’t match the outside – Many of us are guilty of spending a lot of time and money on interior updates while forgetting about the outside. If you’ve upgraded several areas of your home but have neglected the outside, now’s the time to remedy that. Curb appeal matters, so avoid putting the exterior on the backburner.
  6. Pests or insects are getting in – Bugs do find a way to get into homes regardless of exterior quality; however, if you start to notice a shift and you’re seeing more pests or bugs than normal, it may be time to consider an assessment on the openings of your home like doorways, windows, or chimney crowns.
  7. Your roof is leaking – Homeowners should never ignore a leaking roof, and it won’t simply go away or get better with time. We know that roof repair or replacement is intimidating but ignoring the problem will only create bigger issues.

Renovating the exterior of a home doesn’t have to be a dreaded project. Make it a rewarding and positive experience by using the experts at RAM Builders Stucco and Exteriors.

Love it or hate it, the painted exterior brick trend is here to stay. And it’s not just common with freshening up older homes. We have seen many people build brand-new, custom homes with a basic brick solely with the intention to paint it. Painted exterior brick can make a home look fresh, clean, and unique, sometimes even transforming the entire look of the home. We know it’s not for everyone, but if you’re interested in doing it but nervous about the commitment, here are some pros and cons to help you make your decision:

Pros of painting your brick

  1. Painted brick can boost your curb appeal. If you have a brick home and you just don’t love the color of it or the brick is very outdated, there are numerous options for changing the color and giving it a fresh look. Greys and whites are very common right now, but you shouldn’t feel limited to those choices. Be creative, but purposeful and intentional, in the color choice and stand out from the other cookie-cutter homes.
  2. Protects and makes it easier to clean. A high-quality paint can protect your brick from weather conditions and fading because it adds a layer of coating that helps prevent water from getting into the brick. It’s also a smooth finish, which makes cleaning a breeze and helps to keep dirt and debris from sticking to your home.
  3. It covers cosmetic issues. If you’re in an older home with some cosmetic blemishes (or exterior damages you have repaired properly and now want to cover up), painting can give it a fresh, clean slate. You don’t want to attempt to cover major problems that need to be repaired, of course, instead use it for cosmetic issues and to liven up the home overall.

Cons of painting your brick

  1. There is no going back. If you decide to paint your brick, be prepared that you won’t be able to take it off. This is not a decision to take lightly, so you must be absolute in your decision before you paint. You can, however, change the color any time you want.
  2. You will need to repaint. Even if you love the color, you’ll need to repaint it every few years to keep it looking amazing. The paint will flake and fade over time with typical wear, and to keep your home as beautiful as it was painted on day one, you’ll want to freshen it up as needed. Keep the same color or use it as a chance to change again if you want. A professional job with high-quality paint will ensure the longest lasting project.
  3. You may need to clean your exterior more often. Depending on the color, it may be easier to see dirt and debris. However, cleaning isn’t difficult with a nice pressure washer, so if you decide to paint, add one of those on your shopping list.

With most home projects, the key is doing it right. If you decide to paint your home, hiring our team of professionals ensures you will have a great outcome on your project.

With home prices high and a hot seller’s market, it may be tempting to put your house on the market right now. We want to present you with a few reasons to stay put rather than sell. There are many things to consider before moving, so if you’re on the fence right now, read this before making any decisions.

Customize Your Current Home

Unless you’re planning on a custom build, buying another home will probably not come with everything on your checklist. Choosing to remodel or upgrade your current home can tick off your entire checklist and get all your needs into a new design. Many people choose to move simply because they don’t love the curb appeal of their home. It’s important that you love the exterior of your home, and even if you feel limited with your current structure, an expert exterior company can show you options you probably never thought were possible.

Stay in the Neighborhood You Love

Many of us get attached to our neighborhood and location. If this is you and you want a more functional home but love where you are, consider a remodel. You don’t have to leave your community or force your kids to say goodbye to their friends if you redo the parts of your home that are crucial to your happiness. If you’re in an older home and want it to look more modern, there are many upgrades you can do that are cost-effective and will increase your home’s value.

Add Value to Your Home

Most remodels and upgrades will add value to your home. This is only true if they’re high-quality and professional jobs. You’ve likely paid down your home over the years already and updating your home in smart ways will build equity and increase the overall value of the home. With such a large investment as a home, you want to make sure you’re remodeling projects are done with care and precision to maximize your ROI. Exterior remodels need extra care because if something is done improperly, leaking can occur and cause damage to the inside of the home as well.

You Don’t Have to Move All Your Stuff

For many of us, moving isn’t the most enjoyable process. Plus, moving expenses can get high quickly, from minor necessary improvements in your current home to make it appealing to buyers to hiring a moving company to help you out. Rather, put these costs that you can’t recoup back into the asset that is your home. Avoid the hassle of moving by improving the home you currently have.

Sentimental Reasons

Your memories are what makes a house a home. You’ve probably had some good and bad times in your home, and it may be hard to leave that all behind. If you feel an attachment to your home and are struggling with the thought of saying goodbye to those memories, consider options for remodeling and upgrades. We can get tied emotionally to a home, and it often feels good to put money into making it nicer for us and future generations.

Spring has sprung, and it’s the season of rebirth and regrowth. Continue the feeling by bringing the new to the exterior of your home, too. The exterior of your home is the first impression everyone gets, and you want to spend some time working on the curb appeal. Here are some suggestions for some spring updates for your home:

Architectural Accents

Adding some architectural accents can be as budget-friendly or extensive as you want. With durable foam options, you can choose any design and style you want. Create an appealing style upgrade around your windows, add some decorative columns along a porch or patio, or bring a customized casting design to explore a variety of creative options. Accents can bring a whole new level of sophistication to a home’s exterior.

Updating Paint Colors

Painting portions, or all, of your home can dramatically change the look of your home. Painting brick has been popular for a while, and we don’t see it going out of style ever. Brick homes are beautiful, but if you hate the color, it’s not as big of a project to change as you might think. Painting old brick can freshen up a home in a big way. Stucco is very easy to repaint and looks amazing. Whatever the exterior of your home is, if you want a color switch, it’s doable. And spring is just the time to do it.

Repair and Patch Stucco

Stucco is a popular material in Utah, and it’s a great product. When taken care of, it can look beautiful for a very long time. Take some time to assess your stucco and see if there are any problems arising. Patchwork is relatively easy and doing it before anything major happens will prevent you from having to spend a lot of money later for problems that eventually lead inside, too.

Replace Wood Siding with Stucco

If your home has old wood siding, consider replacing it with stucco, which is easy to maintain. Wood siding is lovely, but it requires quite a bit of care and maintenance. If you’ve had enough of that, replacing it with stucco can update your home while also making it easier to maintain for throughout the future.

Waterproof Decks and Make Repairs

You’ll soon be gathering outside now that warmer weather is upon us. Wooden decks require some annual maintenance to keep them looking great and lasting a long time. With Utah’s weather patterns, you want to stay up on the maintenance for your wood decking. Keep up on repairs and you’ll have a useable deck for years to enjoy.

Consider Your Concrete

If you currently have concrete areas of your home, check them out and see if they need any overlays, lifting, or repairs. If you’d like to add some concrete space in your yard, now is a great time to get your project on the books. RAM Builders is happy to address concrete projects large and small. This spring don’t forget the exterior of your home when you start the spring cleaning process.

Trends may come and go, but you can still be “trendy” while also staying timeless and classic. This year, a lot of the great trends we’re seeing around the country are just that—timeless. Some trends are better left undone, and the “go big or go home” mentality is not always the best when it comes to such an expensive and large item as a home. You can still pack a beautiful and current punch with an exterior remodel while also feeling secure that you won’t want to redo everything in just a few years.

Let’s talk colors. The color of your home is a huge deal, whether it’s brick, stucco, siding, or a combination of materials. White has been huge for a while; you’ve seen it everywhere – maybe you even live in it! White is going stay, but this year it’s going a bit softer. Think warmer whites and light creams (not beige or tan though) this year instead of the stark whitest of whites. The contrast with a dark or even black is also looking like it’ll stay. It’s a classic look that is pretty on basically every style from farmhouse to contemporary and French country to colonial designs. If you love the contrast but are worried to get in too deep, go for a color blocking method, which allows you to experiment with your contrasting desires without going too much. Other color options that will likely remain popular include neutrals that are soft and blend into nature, such as subtle greens and blues. If you’re in an older home, simply painting the brick, siding, or stucco will completely transform your home. Bring your ideas to us—we have lots of experience and can provide great advice.

How about textures? Adding some texture to your exterior is a great way to bring a classy and expensive look to your home. Wood trims, stone sections, or brick accents are great options. This year we’re seeing a love for copper which is beautiful on the eyes but not so much on the pocketbook. There are many options even if you’re on a tight budget. Faux accents are readily available and when applied correctly, they can look just a gorgeous as the real thing. If you want to mix textures, this is a great year to do it. You’ll want a builder you can bounce ideas off of to make sure you don’t get too much going and to help you find materials that go well together. Adding cosmetic textures is a relatively inexpensive way to update your home.

The modern minimalist. Minimalist design has been a popular interior design trend for a while. We’re seeing a desire for a similar look on homes’ exteriors. We know this design can get very bold very quick, but don’t be afraid to add in elements somewhere on your home’s exterior. Think monochrome lighting, more windows, simple and clear geometric lines, and simple yet elegant features.

Redesigning or remodeling the exterior of your home is a big project that can change the whole look of your home. Our professionals can deliver whatever new look you want for 2022.

Listing your home? Curb appeal is in the top five priorities for most buyers in Utah. We know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but it’s a tendency of humans to get a little stuck on first impressions. The exterior of your home is the first things buyers see. In their minds, if the outside doesn’t look well maintained and taken care of, the inside probably looks the same. Often this isn’t the case but keeping up on the exterior of your home will do nothing but add value and charm to it, and it will draw wanted attention when it comes time to put it on the market. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to do a full exterior remodel to get showings. Sometimes all it takes is solid yard upkeep, power washing your porch and driveway, and cleaning out the gutters. But if your house is indeed in need of some repairs, it’s better to get on it right away before bigger problems arise. Plus, if you’re selling your home, the buyers will likely add necessary repairs into their offer, which means you may need to fix it before close or take it off the sell price anyway.

What to Look Out For

If you have stucco on your home, it’s natural for some wear and tear to happen due to Utah’s varied climate. Cracks let in moisture and can cause extensive damage if not remedied. Even if your stucco looks good, it’s imperative that you get an independent stucco inspection in case something is lurking below that surface that you may notice. Before listing a home, get your exterior checked out if you have any concerns at all.

Another spot to check is your chimney area. This area often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. What we often see is a failure with the caulking on chimney caps, which allows water come in. Water is never your friend when it comes to the structure of your house, and rotting is an expensive yet necessary fix. Assess your chimneys yearly to see if everything is sealed off and secure.

Roof repairs are common amendment items on home purchasing contracts. Roof repairs can be localized to just the problem area, but sometimes repairs are extensive enough to require a full roof replacement. Make sure you get an honest company that won’t cover up problems but will take the time to fix projects with the right materials to ensure the job is done correctly.

When it comes to your deck or patios, if it’s made of wood, it must be protected properly. Water finds its way through any flat surface, and we all know standing water and wood decks do not mix. With proper protectants and durable sealing, decks can stay beautiful and problem free for many years.

Final Touches

Before you pull together some pretty décor outside, make sure your major structural aspects are in good condition first. Covering up problems never work out, so be sure to tackle any concerns you have before you put your home on the market.

Remodeling your current home is exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. You only want to trust an expert when it comes to investing in such an important asset. Since 1987, RAM Builders has proficiently served Utah with home exterior installation and remodeling including construction repairs, stucco repair and replacement, chimney repair, soffit and fascia installation and upgrades, and more. Too often we see an exterior “remodel” that was only superficial or cosmetic, but our team ensures we fix every problem fully without any unnecessary additional items or unreasonable rates. We employ a team of experts, not unpredictable subcontractors, so we stick to our timelines with our highly trained crew.

We understand how frustrating repairs and remodeling can become, with all the complexities and emotions that come with it. Our team is honest and kind, putting our full attention into your project to ensure your satisfaction. At the end of your remodeling project, we know you’ll love your new-to-you home. Since we specialize in remodels, we understand that your home is occupied and already landscaped. We are sensitive to these needs as well as concerns about noise and mess. We ensure our employees are clean and respectful of your property, guaranteeing you won’t need a landscaper to come in and fix our work area. We also use scaffolding in order to keep your garage and entry doors around your home open and unobstructed.

Our remodeling improvements range from full home makeovers to common touch-up repairs and renovations. A common exterior issue we repair is water damage from leaks. Properly joining connections and tie-ins is critical to the longevity of the exterior finishing on your home. Ensuring this process is done correctly is a top priority at RAM Builders, which will provide a longer lifespan to your finish work and will look gorgeous for years to come. We will handle these repairs as needed during your remodel making sure you're remodeling is done correctly for enhanced durability and beauty. With Utah’s real estate market booming right now, investing in your home is a wiser financial choice than selling and buying high. Plus, updating your home brings new life into your space and creates a positive atmosphere. Something relatively simple like changing the color of your stucco can give your home a completely new feel.

Our experienced employees also specialize in architectural accents. We love to design and install custom detailed castings to add personality and class to your home. Copper roof accents add value and an artistic curb appeal to your home that is rich and warm. Decorative “foam” accents can be tailored to your home to creative individuality and style, but don’t be fooled by the word foam—these are covered with fiberglass mesh and cement for endurance and look amazing when done professionally.

Give us a call today at 801-796-9699 and see why we have been Utah’s top choice for exterior remodeling for well over thirty years. Since we’re a team of employees, not subcontractors, we take ownership in every project we do with a full-time staff, specialized tools, extensive knowledge and experience, and undeniable skill and craftmanship.

STUCCO REPAIR OR EXTERIOR REMODELING QUESTIONS? PLEASE GIVE US A CALL.

American Architectural Manufacturers Associationexterior home remodel and repair contractorHome Builders AssociationMember NFIBAWCI member