If you own a home built in the 1980s, you may wonder how to update it’s exterior and give it a fresh new look. Fortunately, you can choose from many ideas for exterior renovations in Calgary to help you achieve the modern look you desire. Explore some popular ways to update your 1980s home’s exterior, so you can decide which renovation options will work best for you before contacting a Calgary roofing company for help.

Preparations For Exterior Renovations in Calgary

Before starting any exterior renovation project on your 1980s home, it’s important to prepare the exterior properly. Here are some steps you can take to prepare your home’s exterior for renovation:

#1 – Inspect Your Home’s Exterior

Before starting any renovation, carefully inspect your home’s exterior to identify any areas that need repair or replacement. Check for damaged siding, rotting wood, loose or missing shingles, and cracks in the foundation. Make a list of all necessary repairs and address them before starting any cosmetic upgrades.

#2 – Clean the Exterior

Whether you’re painting, adding new siding or brick accents, or installing new windows or doors, it’s important to thoroughly clean your home’s exterior. Power wash the surface to remove any dirt, debris, or stains. That will help ensure the new exterior elements adhere properly and last longer.

#3 – Protect Your Property

Renovating your home’s exterior can be a messy job. Protect your lawn, garden, and other outdoor elements by covering them with plastic or tarps. It will help prevent damage from falling debris or paint overspray.

#4 – Hire a Professional

Some exterior renovation projects may require the expertise of a professional. Consider hiring a licensed contractor to ensure the job is done safely and to code. A professional contractor can also help you identify any potential issues that need to be addressed before starting the renovation.

#5 – Obtain Necessary Permits

Depending on the scope of your renovation project, you may need to obtain permits from your local municipality. Make sure to check with your local building department to determine which permits are required for your project.

Modernizing Your Look with Exterior Renovations in Calgary

#1 – Replace or Update Your Siding

Considering your home’s exterior has been around since the 1980s, consider replacing or updating it. Many siding options available today can give your home a modern, updated look. Vinyl siding is popular because it’s affordable, low maintenance, and comes in various colours and styles.

#2 – Add Stone or Brick Accents

Stone or brick accents give your home’s exterior a more upscale look. A good recommendation would be to add stone or brick accents to your home’s façade or entranceway to create a dramatic impact.

#3 – Upgrade Your Windows & Doors

Replacing your home’s old windows and doors can give it a fresh new look while also improving energy efficiency. Consider updating to newer, more energy-efficient windows and doors to enhance your home’s curb appeal while reducing energy bills.

#4 – Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home’s exterior. Choose a modern, updated colour scheme to give your home a fresh look. Be sure to choose paint specifically formulated for Calgary’s climate to ensure it will hold up well over time.

Updating your 1980s home’s exterior can be a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal and give it a fresh new look. From updating your siding to adding new paint, you can choose from various exterior renovations in Calgary. Whether you tackle these projects independently or hire a Calgary roofing company, your home’s exterior investment will be worth it.

Active Exteriors has one mission: to provide the highest quality roofing in Calgary at competitive prices while satisfying our customers’ needs. We have established ourselves as Calgary’s go-to roofing contractors through our industry-setting levels of professionalism, integrity, and fairness. Offering roof replacement and repairs, siding repairs, installation and exterior renovations in Calgary is not just a job for us; its a matter of pride. You’ll experience workmanship that is well worth the value and will transform your property. Contact your trusted roofing company in Calgary at 403-717-0515.

How Often Flat Roofing in Calgary Needs Resealing

detail of the finishing material of the roof of a building

Why Resealing Matters

As established above, a flat roof can last for many years with consistent upkeep – even up to 25 years! However, your roof isn’t immune to wear and tear during that time. Even though your roof does its best to protect you from the elements, it does take a hit in various ways from certain conditions that can create damage over time. When you consider the unpredictable nature of Alberta weather, a flat roof will certainly be affected by it. Seasons with heavy snow, intense heat waves, and even potential hail can certainly do some damage – notably, water damage. With resealing, it helps to combat these issues by making your roof look good and reducing possible repairs since it ensures moisture doesn’t seep inside.

Factors to Consider When Resealing

Winters in the city can range from cold, heavy snowfalls to the next day being noticeably warmer, with slushy snow melting everywhere. Resealing your flat roof would be in your best interest to avoid this heightened risk of moisture damage.

However, it’s important to understand that various factors contribute to how often you need to reseal your roof. These include the following:

Type of flat roof you have: A completely flat roof requires regular sealing since they’re prone to ponding that leads to leaks. Meanwhile, sloped ones only need resealing a few times since water runs off mostly.

Calgary’s climate: Alberta’s weather is all over the place. Think about resealing before extreme weather conditions (e.g. winter & summer) to prevent possible damages.

Age/condition of your roof: Naturally, an older flat roof will show its age from wear and tear. Damages build up in time, so it’s best to reseal at any sign of issues.

Your current maintenance habits: If you’re not consistent with the maintenance, this can make damages more apparent since they’re being overlooked. Mostly, it’s rather low upkeep since you typically only need to reseal once every five years.

Types of Roof Sealants to Use

When resealing your roof, it’s imperative to use the right sealant. Doing so can ensure the job is done properly, and you won’t have to worry about moisture damage.

There are at least the main types of flat roof sealants, which are:

Built-Up Roof: Most traditional method uses tar or fibreglass membrane that’s laid down, then covered with hot tar & gravel. This type is inexpensive compared to the other types. Important to note, however, it’s quite heavy, & gravel often comes off.

Modified Bitumen: Also asphalt-based, but this uses layers of mineral-reinforced bitumen sheets capped by granule-surfaced or metal-foil laminate sheets. These are normally thick, making them puncture-resistant and great for various temperatures.

Rubber Membrane: From a tough single-ply membrane of recycled rubber, it’s laid over the plywood roofing surface and attached with an adhesive. An inexpensive option, but it may be prone to punctures more than the other types.