Exterior
Exterior Decorating: Choosing a Driveway Style
By: Danielle McVicar
Many people don’t put much thought into their driveway when considering their exterior décor, but your driveway is one of the most important elements of your landscaping. Driveways serve as the entrance to your home and should be just as individualized as the house itself. Driveways come in a variety of styles, but the most common include gravel, asphalt, concrete and brick/stone.
Gravel driveways add a distinct and natural look to your landscaping. Since gravel is made of crushed rock, there are many different kinds to choose from. However, most gravel is crushed from local stone, so each region may have different choices available. Make sure that the gravel you choose is cut in an angular shape; rounded stones may look more attractive but they will slip out of place and not provide you with the traction you need. The drawback to using gravel is that some building codes prohibit the use of gravel for a driveway because it is considered unfinished. Also, gravel will need to be added to your driveway every few years in order to maintain it.
Asphalt, or blacktop, driveways are the most common and are less expensive than other driveway options. Asphalt is a good choice for those who live in colder climates due to its ease of snow removal and low vulnerability to changing temperatures. Other driveways are more prone to crack under extreme temperature changes than asphalt. However, when asphalt does crack, unlike other driveway styles it can be resurfaced. The main drawback to asphalt is that it requires a considerable amount of maintenance. Driveways made of asphalt should be resealed quite frequently, at least once every three years, if they are to last long.
Concrete driveways are relatively inexpensive and can be an alternative to asphalt. Concrete requires less maintenance than asphalt and will wear better in moderate climates. Driveways made from concrete can be quite decorative; concrete can be tinted different colors and poured in decorative forms. Concrete can also be given a decorative finish such as a stamped or engraved design. The negative side to concrete is that it eventually will crack over time, but as long as the cracks are filled properly it will last for years with minimal upkeep. Also, a sealer system can be applied to concrete to prevent cracks every couple of years if desired.
Brick and stone are the most decorative style of driveway. They come in an array of colors and can be laid in different patterns and designs. Brick driveways require little maintenance, but will need occasional repair and replacement as individual bricks become damaged. This style of driveway also has the tendency to settle unevenly over time. Perhaps the biggest drawback to brick or stone driveways is the price as this style is often very expensive.
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Types of Garage Doors
By: Danielle McVicar
If you think the type of door you choose for your garage is relatively unimportant, think again! Do you want your garage to serve as a protected storage space or an eye-catching entrance to your home? The door you choose should be able to complement the purpose of your garage. Garage doors come in a variety of styles, each offering different degrees of security and attractiveness; there is much more to a garage door than you think!
There are general styles that most garage doors fall into which consist of roller, canopy, sectional and swing hung. All of these doors present different benefits and drawbacks to take into consideration when choosing which is best suited for your garage.
Roller doors are one of the most popular styles of garage door. They are ideal for homes that don’t have much driveway space because they don’t need any additional space to open or close. Roller doors are made of narrow strips, usually aluminum, and simply roll up into the garage ceiling around a drum. This type of door is especially good for those who live in colder climates due to its ability to be mechanized, or be control operated. You don’t have to leave your house or car; you merely need to press a button to open and close this garage door. The setback to a roller door, however, is that being made of aluminum, it is easily dented and not as strong as other types of garage doors.
Canopy doors can be made from a variety of materials, the most popular being wood or steel. This type of garage door is made from one large piece of material and is tilted up and out then pushed back into the ceiling of the garage to open. Because they are made from a single piece of wood or metal and not sections, this kind of door provides the most security of all the styles of garage doors. Choosing a canopy door made of steel will make your garage even more protected. Also, this kind of door can be the most visually pleasing. Using high quality timber for your door, such as redwood or spruce, can prove to be a very beautiful addition to your exterior décor. The drawbacks of a canopy door are that they require a large amount of space to open and close, which might not be a good choice for those with smaller driveways. Also, if you choose a wooden canopy garage door, it will require some occasional maintenance.
Sectionals doors are very similar to roller doors. They also are made up of segments, but are much larger than those of a roller door; the entire garage door usually consists of four to five panels. Sectional doors are rolled up onto a track that goes into the garage’s ceiling, much like the roller doors. This type of garage door doesn’t require much space to utilize, and must be opened and closed manually. Sectional doors can be made of either wood or metal depending on your personal preference. Because the sections of the door are larger than that of the roller door, sectional garage doors offer more security than roller doors do.
Swing hung doors are very traditional and are hinged to the door opening of the garage. They swing open in the same way that a normal door does. They are most commonly made from wood, but can be made from essentially any material that you want. The major disadvantage of a swing hung door is that it requires a very large amount of room to open. This kind of door is not well suited for small or narrow driveways.
Make sure the door you choose is the best choice to accompany your garage door, as well as the rest of your home’s exterior décor!
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Choosing a Mailbox
By: Danielle McVicar
You may think your mailbox doesn’t play a very big role in your home’s exterior décor, but you would be wrong! Your mailbox is a focal point of your landscape and should reflect the style and appearance of the rest of your exterior. Don’t let an ugly, plain mailbox ruin the rest of your beautiful, well-designed landscaping!
There are surprisingly many factors to consider when choosing a mailbox. To ensure that your mailbox blends with the rest of your exterior décor, you want to take into consideration material and style, as well as any regulations that your neighborhood may have.
Before you purchase a mailbox, make sure that you know the laws and regulations that it must adhere to. You must contact your local post office before you install a mailbox to make sure you have the correct height and placement measurements. A mail carrier can refuse to deliver your mail if your mailbox does not meet the approved requirements, so be careful! Also, if you live in a subdivision or other neighborhood where there may be additional rules, make sure to take those into consideration as well.
Style is perhaps the most important issue when choosing a mailbox. You want your mailbox to match your house, whether it is modern or traditional. Determine what style your house is then choose a mailbox of the same style. You also want your mailbox to tie into your home’s exterior colors. You can have a mailbox that is the same colors of your house, or employs complementary colors that will stand out but still look attractive.
The material that the mailbox is made from is another important factor. The most popular materials used for mailboxes include aluminum, plastic, brass, steel and cedar, each offering a different look. Depending on the climate you live in, certain materials may be better suited for your mailbox. Aluminum and plastic don’t rust and require no maintenance, but are easily dented. Steel, especially a heavy gauge, is also rust resistant and is virtually indestructible. Brass and cedar are considered more decorative, but both require regular maintenance to keep them looking good.
Custom made mailboxes are another option, as are security mail boxes. If you live in an area where theft is common or worry about others taking your mail, you may want to opt for a mailbox that has a locking feature.
Keep these issues in mind when choosing a mailbox for your home and you won’t have to worry about taking away from your landscaping.
