A home makeover on the outside often starts with one problem and turns into a list. The roof is near the end of its life, the siding is faded and the windows are drafty. You can tackle them one at a time over several years. But doing them in the wrong order can mean paying to undo and redo work.
Planning a complete exterior makeover as one project often gives you a better result. You get a matching look, fewer surprises and less time with crews and ladders around the house. Since 1997, American Home has completed more than 15,000 projects across East Tennessee. Here’s how we approach the job, from the right order to choosing materials that work together.
Quick answer: For most homes, the right order for an exterior home makeover is roof first, then windows, then siding and trim, then gutters, and finally decks and outdoor living. Each step protects the one that comes after it.
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Dated siding and trim are common signs a home is ready for an exterior update.
Signs Your House Is Ready for a Home Makeover
Most homes don’t need everything at once. But when several parts of the outside wear out around the same time, it’s worth looking at the whole picture. Walk around your house and look for these common signs.
- The roof is getting old or shows bald spots, curling or missing shingles.
- Siding is faded, cracked, warped or needs painting too often.
- Windows are foggy, drafty or hard to open.
- Gutters overflow or pull away from the fascia, the board they hang on.
- The deck is soft, weathered or no longer fits how you live.
- The house simply looks dated next to its neighbors.
If you checked two or more, a planned home makeover may save you money and hassle compared with fixing things one by one. East Tennessee weather, with its humid summers, heavy spring storms and freeze-thaw winters, tends to wear these parts down on a similar timeline.
The Right Order for Your Exterior Home Makeover
Order matters because each trade works around the others. Roofers walk and drop debris above everything. Window installers tie into the wall wrap. Siding crews wrap around windows and trim. Getting the order right means no one damages work that’s already done. Here’s the sequence we follow on most homes.
1. Roof
The roof comes first because roofers work above everything else. Replacing it first protects new siding and windows from damage. It also makes sure the house is watertight before anything else is touched.
American Home installs asphalt shingle, metal and stone-coated steel roofs. Learn more about our roofing services. The National Roofing Contractors Association also has helpful roofing information for homeowners.
2. Windows
New windows need flashing, the metal or tape strips that seal the edges, tied into the house wrap before siding goes on. Doing windows before siding gives a cleaner, better-sealed result.
If you put on siding first and replace windows later, the trim around them often has to be torn off and redone. See our replacement window options.
3. Siding and Trim
With the roof and windows done, new siding ties everything together. It’s the part of a home makeover that changes the look from the street the most.
Options include vinyl, James Hardie fiber cement, composite and log-look siding. Each one has its own style and care needs. Explore our siding options to compare.
4. Gutters and Leaf Protection
Gutters attach to the fascia, so they go on after the roof and trim are finished. Putting them up earlier means taking them down again.
Leaf protection is worth a look in wooded East Tennessee neighborhoods. It keeps leaves, pine needles and seed pods out, so water flows away from your foundation.
5. Decks and Outdoor Living
Finally, add or replace decks, covered patios, screen rooms or sunrooms to match the new exterior. Saving this step for last keeps the new deck safe from falling roof debris and ladders.
It also lets you pick deck and railing colors that go with your new siding and trim. See our decks and outdoor living ideas.
New siding and trim give a home a fresh, unified look.
Choosing Materials That Work Together
A great home makeover looks like one plan, not a patchwork. The trick is choosing colors and materials together. Keep these tips in mind.
- Pick a color plan for the whole house. Choose roof, siding, trim and window colors at the same time, not one by one.
- Match how long things last. Pair long-life materials so one part isn’t wearing out years before the rest.
- Think about your neighborhood. Look at homes you like nearby, and check any HOA rules.
- Look at real examples. Ask to see finished homes with the combos you’re thinking about.
- See samples outside. Colors look different in bright sun, shade and evening light.
For mountain cabins in Sevier County, log-look siding and a metal roof are a popular pair. For older brick ranch homes, new trim, windows and a fresh roof color can make a big difference without touching the brick.
Do It All at Once or in Phases?
Doing everything in one project usually means one plan, one schedule and one point of contact. There’s also less risk of one trade damaging another’s work. You’ll deal with the noise and mess once, instead of several times over a few years.
If budget is a concern, you can phase the work in the order above, starting with the roof. Just plan the whole home makeover up front, including colors, so each phase fits the final look. Financing options are also available for qualified homeowners, which can help you finish the full project sooner.
What the Home Makeover Process Looks Like
Knowing what to expect makes the whole job less stressful. Here’s how a typical project goes with American Home.
- Free in-home estimate: We look at the whole outside of your home and talk through what matters most to you.
- Design and selections: You choose materials and colors with samples in hand.
- Written proposal: You get a clear scope and schedule in writing.
- Work in sequence: Roof, windows, siding, gutters and outdoor living, in that order.
- Final walkthrough: We review the finished work with you.
Weather can shift the schedule a bit, especially during rainy spring months. A good plan builds in some room for that.
Common Exterior Makeover Mistakes
We’ve seen a few mistakes cost homeowners time and money. Most of them are easy to avoid.
- Siding before windows: This often means tearing off new trim later.
- Picking colors one at a time: The roof and siding may clash once both are up.
- Ignoring hidden rot: Old siding can hide soft sheathing that must be fixed first.
- Skipping gutters: New siding can stain or rot if water keeps spilling over the edge.
A clear plan from the start helps you dodge all of these. If your home was hit by a storm, our storm damage repair team can help you sort out what to fix first.
Exterior Makeovers Across East Tennessee
American Home is family-owned and has served East Tennessee since 1997. We work throughout Knoxville and the surrounding area, including Knox, Blount, Anderson, Loudon and Sevier counties.
Start your home makeover with a free in-home estimate. We’ll look at the whole exterior, help you set priorities and put every step in the right order. Want to plan ahead? Read our guide on when to schedule home improvement projects, or browse all of our home improvement services.
Home Makeover FAQs
What order should a home makeover follow?
For most homes, the order is roof, then windows, then siding and trim, then gutters, then decks and outdoor living. Each step protects the work that comes after it.
Should I replace windows before siding?
Yes, in most cases. New windows need to be sealed into the wall wrap before siding goes on. Doing them later often means redoing the trim.
Is it better to do the whole exterior at once?
It often is. One project means one plan, one schedule and less risk of damage between trades. If budget is tight, you can phase the work in the right order.
How do I choose colors for my roof and siding?
Pick them together, along with trim and window colors. Look at samples outside in different light, and drive past homes you like for ideas.
Can I finance an exterior home makeover?
American Home offers financing options for qualified homeowners. Ask about them during your free in-home estimate.
Ready for a Fresh New Exterior?
Schedule your free estimate with American Home.