American Houses

From Blah To Ahh.

(NewsUSA) - Giving your home a makeover doesn't just mean on the inside. Often, the exterior can also be in desperate need, but is often overlooked.

While outside projects may seem daunting and expensive, new online tools can help consumers visualize the home of their dreams.


CertainTeed Corporation offers ColorView, an online interactive exterior style and color selector, to help homeowners explore options. Through its Web site, www.certainteed.com/colorview homeowners can envision how high-end roofing, vinyl and fiber cement siding, trim, fence, railing and deck products look on various home styles.

Homeowners begin a session by entering their zip codes to view color and brand availability, then select the home style that most resembles their current home. The exterior is then customizable with hundreds of different colors and styles of products.

In addition, the following tips can also spruce up your property and give your home a gentle facelift:

- Change the exterior colors of your house. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a home's exterior or consider re-siding your home with low-maintenance vinyl or fiber cement siding, which is available in dozens of colors from CertainTeed.

- Unclog those gutters. Nothing can seem more mundane then spending part of your weekend unclogging the gutters on your home; however, not only will it keep the exterior of your home looking tidy, it can also prevent potential problems down the road.

- Clean up the yard. Unsightly weeds, overgrown hedges and grass, and mulch strewn about can give a home a disheveled appearance. Spend a weekend outside tending to the property, planting flowers and pulling weeds. Look for vinyl fencing, deck or railing for an added extra touch to your outdoor living areas such as CertainTeed's EverNew deck and railing or Chesterfield vinyl fence with CertaStucco.

- Make it shine. Adding more lighting or just upgrading fixtures that are already in place are easy and affordable solutions when thinking about what to do to the outside of your home. Consider putting in either solar-powered or electric walkway lights, or if you're feeling particularly creative, think about highlighting trees in your yard with small lights or hanging paper lanterns from your front porch.

For more information on color options for your home, call 800-782-8777 or visit www.certainteed.com