Smart Ways to Modernise an Older Property's Exterior

How do you modernise an older property’s exterior without renovating everything?

While older properties are characterful and often loveable. Let’s face it. Some of them look pretty dated from the outside. Poor kerb appeal can impact everything from property value to how safe a property feels. Fortunately, updating the outside of a home doesn’t have to be expensive or take forever.

55.4% of UK homeowners who recently renovated their homes said their property was built before 1940, meaning most old homes could benefit from a few exterior upgrades.

Plus, some of these exterior upgrades are quick wins that can transform an older property in just a few days. Here’s what we’ll cover:

Exterior Upgrades Improve Older Properties
Electric Gate Power Supply for Added Security
Smart Exterior Upgrades That Have the Biggest Impact
Simple Wins That Improve Kerb Appeal Immediately

Exterior Upgrades Improve Older Properties

Ok, so…

An older property can sometimes feel tired on the outside. If the render is cracking, the fence looks like it hasn’t been updated in decades, the windows are old and the driveway is littered with cracks. A home can feel forgotten about.

That’s a problem for two reasons.

Firstly, it decreases the home value.

Secondly, older often feels less secure.

Improving security often goes hand in hand with increasing home value. One thing that helps with both is electric gates.

Installing electric gates with a dependable electric gate power supply instantly upgrades the home entrance and allows homeowners to feel secure knowing they have full control over who comes in and out of their property. It’s always worth checking the average electric gate installation fee before purchasing an electric gate power supply to learn about the full process, materials needed and installation time.

But, exterior upgrades aren’t limited to new electric gates. Recent data shows that external upgrades have some of the best returns on investment. Replacing old render with a new fresh coat can help improve property value by 70-80%.

Thankfully…

Any property can look brand new without losing its charm. By making some careful exterior upgrades that improve on function as well as style.

Electric Gate Power Supply for Added Security

If a home lacks a fence or any gate at all, electric gates can work wonders on the front of the property. Not only do electric gates offer a physical barrier to keep intruders out, but they allow homeowners to control who can access their home.

The power supply is important though.

Electric gates are only as good as the electric gate power supply that controls them. Without the right power supply, there’s a risk of gates that won’t open and close correctly.

The power supply needs to be reliable so that the gates operate consistently. Having battery backup on the electric gate power supply can also ensure the gates will open and close during power outages.

Electric gates can also hook into other smart technologies for increased security and convenience. Electric gates can often:

Connect to phone apps for remote gate access
Interface with video intercoms and CCTV
Link into motion sensors and automatic lights
Work with voice assistants (think Alexa or Google Home)

Because of their versatility, electric gates are a great way to secure a home exterior and provide peace of mind. They’re also great for older properties that may lack a fence or secure entrance.

Just like with any outdoor technology, there are a few power supply options when it comes to electric gates. For the most reliable setup, mains powered electric gates are the way to go. For rural properties where running cables might not be possible, solar power is another great option.

Don’t forget to pair the electric gate setup with a battery backup power supply so the gates will open and close during a power outage.

Smart Exterior Upgrades That Have the Biggest Impact

With any home renovation, there has to be a willingness to spend money. But, not all exterior upgrades are created equal.

When renovating the outside of an older property, it’s important to prioritise projects that improve on functionality and style.

Projects that often have the biggest impact are:

Upgrading windows and doors – One of the quickest ways to instantly upgrade the look of a property is with new double or triple glazed doors and windows. Modern doors and frames will freshen up the entire look. They’ll also help save money on energy bills and reduce noise pollution.
New render or exterior cladding – The exterior of a home can really come to life with some new render or cladding. It’s one of the quickest ways to make an older property look completely new.
Upgrade exterior lighting – Everyone forgets about their exterior lighting. Not only does lighting make a property look more modern, but it helps increase security when placed correctly around the driveway, pathways and front door.
Resurface driveway – Like old render, a damaged driveway is one of the first things people will notice when they drive up to a home. Improve kerb appeal by replacing the old driveway with block paving or resin-bound gravel.

These are just a few upgrades that can help an older property feel fresh and modern.

Simple Wins That Improve Kerb Appeal Immediately

Sometimes upgrading an older property doesn’t need to involve knocking down walls and spending thousands.

Low budget exterior upgrades can include:

Painting the front door – One of the easiest ways to make a home feel like new is with a lick of paint. Grab an afternoon and paint the front door any colour that works.
Updating house numbers – If the house numbers are old and worn, consider replacing them with something a bit more modern. Taking a few minutes can make a big difference.
Landscaping – It’s the details. If the hedge looks wild and the flower beds have been forgotten about, a property will feel abandoned. Make sure to trim back those hedges and add some colourful flowers.
Power washing – Seriously. Power washing can make driveways, pathways and patios look almost new. Grab a weekend and spend some time giving those hard surfaces a good clean.
Greenery and planters – Adding some simple greenery to a porch helps soften the concrete. Hang some planters on the wall and fill them with flowers. Greenery goes a long way.

Simple doesn’t always mean low value. These quick win projects can be finished in a weekend but last for years.

As shown above, these smaller exterior upgrades work well when combined with larger projects like new windows, render or even electric gates.

Bringing It All Together

Hopefully, this has helped paint a good picture of how to smartly modernise an older property’s exterior.

Here’s a quick recap:

Look for high-impact value projects like windows, doors and rendering
Remember electric gates and security
These small exterior upgrades can be done in a weekend!

There’s no need to completely renovate a property to improve kerb appeal. Just make smart choices and don’t be afraid to mix and match bigger projects with simple ones.

Old properties are great because they tend to come with character. Character that new builds often lack.

With that being said, the goal shouldn’t be to replace the character of a property. Only improve upon it.