Double Take

A look at what’s generating great curb appeal this year

BY TED McINTYRE

It’s what’s inside that counts. Well, yes and no. If you never get noticed in the first place, or if that first impression simply doesn’t impress, then what’s inside will remain a mystery forever.

That’s why curb appeal matters so much. Whether you’re a production builder in a competitive market, a renovator applying a facelift for a future resale or a custom builder whose client wants their home to drop the jaw of every visitor or passer-by, it’s important to know what catches the eye of prospective homebuyers—and what doesn’t.

Come summertime, though, it’s safe to say that most are seeing green.

“There’s a builder nearby, Gordon Tobey Developments. The owner, Steve Tobey, knows the value of curb appeal. Future customers drive in and think, ‘That’s beautiful—I don’t have to do anything!’” observes Rhonda Boers of Hollandale Landscaping & Garden Centre Ltd. just west of Trenton. “But even for the mid-range builder looking to attract somebody, the builder who recognizes the value in landscaping and curb appeal will sell much quicker—a few trees and shrubs can make a big difference.”

Standing out from the crowd is obviously key. But it doesn’t always mean a huge investment, suggests Richard Luciani, president of Cedar Point Real Estate Corporation and chair of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association’s Sales & Marketing Committee. “I think of CountryWide Homes’ copper accents on their roofing overhangs—it’s a trademark of theirs,” says Luciani. “But the simplest thing can attract the eye, like the colours on your garage or a bright red front door. You can enhance that new asphalt driveway with borders, maybe lay interlocking stones to make it more inviting from the sidewalk on in. Maybe we’re talking a few thousand dollars. And if you’re talking a couple plantings to give it some life and colour, then maybe a couple hundred dollars.”

It’s both an overt and subliminal message, Luciani suggests. “It sets the tone of what a potential buyer expects throughout the rest of the home. You tend to think that if there’s attention to detail on the outside, they must have taken care of it on the inside too. And the reverse is true, where you’ll go in with a negative mindset (if the exterior looks uncared for).”

Pricier upgrades such as stonework can also leave a two-tiered mental impression. “When you see a house with stone on it, it projects an image of a more luxurious, higher-end home—more so than plain brick,” says Luciani. “Even though brick or stone don’t necessarily have a lot to do with the structure of the home—that they’re essentially just the skin— people feel it will be a more solidly built home, compared to something that has vinyl on it.”

Windows (Pollard Advantage Plus pictured) are among the top eye-catchers for prospective homebuyers.

What are the things that most regularly draw double takes from his homebuying clients?

“Different styles of windows and some variation in front doors—not just flat-front panel, but with glass inserts—privacy or etched glass.

“A 2015 Cost vs Value study conducted by Remodeling magazine in the U.S. shows that replacing windows and doors are among the top 10 mid-range exterior renovations with the highest return,” adds Gary Pollard, Senior V.P. at Pollard Windows & Doors. “The report shows that replacing a front entrance with a steel slab entrance door like our Polardor Entrance systems provides 101% return on investment. Replacing windows with high-quality vinyl windows offers 78% ROI.”

Hollandale Landscaping project.

“When it comes to colour, there are two schools: People who like a traditional look that has stood the test of time and that will look good in 10 years; and others who say, ‘ I don’t want what everyone else has,’” says Luciani. “But for most, long gone is the traditional white. Many like to see charcoal and smoky. Maybe a colour that contrasts with the rest of the home.

Pollard is in agreement. “Currently, windows in dark contrasting colours, like black, brown and grey, are popular because they’re easily noticeable from the curb. And your front door is where you can add a punch of personality to your home since it’s one of the first things people see and touch. Matching front and garage doors, along with windows, will create a classic look. Or you can make a statement with a bold colour like yellow, blue or red. Some might shy away from trying this, but it will create a strong focal point for the more fashion-forward homeowners and buyers who want to reflect their unique style and add lots of curb appeal.”

Luciani says his clients also take note of the garage door, “especially if they are more contemporary, with glass inserts. And porches are always big—even if people don’t use them much. It’s welcoming.”

And don’t forget to look up, reminds Jeff Williams, North American Brand Director of IKO Industries. “I think people overlook the fact that the roof is the most dominant element of your exterior elevation. If it looks tired, your house looks tired. People are so surprised when they change it out how it freshens the look of the entire facade—even when they go with a more traditional colour palette. And when it has been installed really well, the home’s flashing details stand out.

“And if you want to challenge builders to try something different, the most unique shot I’ve seen is when somebody actually breaks away from white or beige soffit, facia, gutters and window trim, and go with an onyx or dark bronze. Then use a complementary shingle, and all the trim absolutely pops.

So what specifically is turning heads this summer? Here’s what our five contributors had to say.

Arriscraft's Midtown line

So what’s trending?

RHONDA BOERS, HOLLANDALE LANDSCAPING:

“Design-wise, we used to be into circles and circle patterns with interlock, but now it’s mainly a long and linear look—repetitive plantings of four or five different types of plant material. The paving patterns are somewhat square. Cleaner, more modern, more natural stone. Less colour.”

Pollard's Advantage Plus earned "Energy Star Most Efficient" in 2019.

MARTA ZONNEVELD, ARRISCRAFT:

“Arriscraft recently added a thin stone production line at its Cambridge plant for Midtown and Stack thin stone, which makes it more accessible for the Ontario market, since it eliminates shipping from Georgia. For new homes, our thin stone products offer a premium, added touch for curb appeal. But you can use it for renovation too, such as resurfacing your garage or porch.

“People want the benefits of using stone on their homes in terms or durability and safety, but many are looking for a more modern esthetic. In addition to our thin stone, we have modern stone options, with stones up to 32” and super-long brick too. We’ve had several new introductions in the past couple years, but many builders order the same product year after year. We’re getting the word out, because many customers have no idea of the breadth of options Arriscraft offers.”

Arriscraft's Stack line.

ELAINE WILLIS, UNILOCK: “

Greys, blacks, white—and using the range together in an interesting pattern. And a combination of different finishes, from very smooth to brushed to exposed aggregates. Combining those different textures on the surface really gives you some interest and curb appeal at the front or back of the home.

“Linear plank pavers are really trending, as are large-format. We’re seeing many different kinds of homes—a lot more contemporary—so having pavers that are in keeping with that style, as we do, is key.”

KAREN POLLARD-JOSLING, POLLARD WINDOWS & DOORS:

“Our Advantage Plus all-vinyl windows are newly redesigned and re-engineered for best-in-class performance for both dual-glazed and triple-glazed units. Awarded the Energy Star Most Efficient mark in 2019, it’s a perfect fit for multi-level, high-density buildings, as well as traditional residential applications.

The line incorporates new triple-perimeter weatherstripping on casement and awning windows and offers the highest water penetration resistance and air leakage resistance on casements, awnings and fixed lite models. They’ve been re-engineered for a clean, modern and sleek look, with improved functionality and easy service from the interior. They’re available in three colours and virtually any custom applied colour, including three new exciting metallic finishes. Advantage Plus also offers true 1-3/8” triple glazing for industry-leading energy efficiency and optimum soundblocking ability.”

JEFF WILLIAMS, IKO INDUSTRIES: “One of the things we’ve really latched onto as a strategy is performance products. We previously launched the Dynasty product line with ArmourZone, a reinforced nail strip. If you haven’t tried it, you won’t believe the difference between a standard, traditional laminate shingle and a product nailed through the ArmourZone. It’s extremely difficult to pull off the roof. We’ve now adapted that to a new product called Nordic—a polymer-modified shingle. It is a Class 4 shingle, meaning it has been tested to be more resilient when it comes to impact strikes than a non-polymer-modified shingle. You combine that with the nail-holding power of the ArmourZone, which is a wide 1.25” thick nailing zone, and it’s so much easier for the contractor to get the nails in the right place. It’s absolutely a difference-maker for the home, and it’s available in a wide variety of high-definition, dynamic colours.

IKO's Dynasty product line features the company's ArmourZone, a reinforced nail strip for easier and more durable installation.

Weather is getting more unpredictable, and we’re developing more and more products for that. Think of the angle of talking about both finishing the exterior of the home and the performance aspect, and that there could be a possibility of their client receiving a homeowners’ insurance discount. That’s a compelling argument that we’re not seeing many new-construction contractors take advantage of!”

Equipped with vacuum pads, Unilock's UtiLyft helps contractors save time and money while improving efficiency.

Colour-wise, blacks still do well, but we have a granite black with a little blue flake to it. Taupes and browns, and our Weather Wood shingle is our number-one seller. And there’s a resurgence in colours like blue, which is picking up traction. But we’re noticing a lot of whitewashed brick in custom construction—whites and greys. For that to work, you have to have a darker contrast colour of shingle, or richer or darker blacks.”

What separates you from some of your competition?

RHONDA BOERS, HOLLANDALE LANDSCAPING:

“Attention to detail! Every view is important! We have built our reputation on the details, and our customers appreciate that! As much as we care about the views for those pulling up on the street, we care just as much about the beauty of the views from the inside of the house looking out. You look outside as much as everyone looks in.”

MARTA ZONNEVELD, ARRISCRAFT: “Arriscraft is the only calcium silicate stone product made in North America—it’s essentially sand and lime that binds naturally in manufacturing. This natural process gives our stone a unique, authentic look that you can only get with quarried stone, and that’s important for curb appeal. Concretebased stones, on the other hand, can have a sheen or flat finish to them that looks artificial. The untrained eye might not even realize why they prefer Arriscraft, unless you explain it to them, but it’s the authentic appearance.”

ELAINE WILLIS, UNILOCK: “Anything that’s maintenance-free or maintenance-friendly is really on homeowners’ minds. And we’re unique in that we have products, such as our Umbriano line, that have an integral coating—EasyClean Stain Resistance technology—that’s added during manufacturing, not afterward. That makes it easier to keep our product looking like new, as opposed to other products that you have to install and then seal, and then go back and reseal after every few years. Our EnduraColor pavers are more durable and the colour won’t fade over time as it can with other standard pavers on the market. We’ve invested in technology that is unlike other paver manufacturing. We have unique styles, sizes and finishes that are not available from other manufacturers, and that investment shows up in our product line.”

KAREN POLLARD-JOSLING, POLLARD:

“We were founded in 1948, so something we really pride ourselves on is the longevity we have enjoyed. Although we’re known internationally, our products are made locally—our manufacturing facility is visible from the 403 in Burlington. Also, many customers take note of the options and features Pollard includes as standard, things that are usually found in a higher price point, such as multipoint locking hardware on casements, a large selection of exterior colours and many standard glazing options in both dual- and triple-pane windows. You can count on better energy ratings on almost all our products using standard glass compared to the competition. And our products are backed by an industry-leading warranty.”

JEFF WILLIAMS, IKO:

“Our shingles are a little larger than most standard shingles, but the unique thing about it is that it’s optimized for a true square. When you buy three bundles of IKO products, you’re going to get exactly 100 square feet. We have a larger exposure than average. It has a significant advantage with respect to the time of installation, and then when you make it easier with our larger nailing zone, it’s a win-win for everybody.”

What about ease of installation?

MARTA ZONNEVELD, ARRISCRAFT:

“Masons, who are true artisans, are unfortunately becoming more scarce and installation costs are an important factor to builders. But our new linear stones can go on just like brick—in what’s called coursed installation—so it’s considerably faster, thus more cost-effective. So builders can use a bricklayer and deliver a sophisticated and more modern look.”

ELAINE WILLIS, UNILOCK:

“Our Elegance line, reminiscent of Old World street cobblestones, is engineered so that they’re uniform in height with a consistent base, making them easy to install. And with many contractors looking for more efficiencies for installations, especially with the difficulties of hiring trade labourers, we’ve come out with a product called UniLyft. It has several vacuum pads that allow you to pick up a large paver unit or several smaller paver units at a time and install them quickly and efficiently. It saves you at least a person on the installation team while also saving your back.”