The most visible part of your home is the exterior, seen in passing by strangers and up close by family and friends. “Curb appeal” is a popular phrase with real estate agents, and is based solely on what kind of first impression a home makes. But regardless of whether you’re staying put or selling, curb appeal adds value, safety and peace of mind to your largest investment – your home.

Two things affect the exterior of your home: age and style.  Time will always wear down the surface of your home with water, wind and sun, and these materials will need to be replaced when they’ve come to the end of their useful life. Architectural styles change with the era, and there may come a time when your home could benefit from a cosmetic update.

Replacing failing siding or roofing is also a prime opportunity to change the look of the home. This can be as simple as picking a different material or color for siding, or you can expand into completely overhauling the look of your home. In the photo below, the need for new siding and a larger garage turned into realizing the families dream for a grand front porch.

Exterior remodeling projects give you the chance to improve how your house performs. When old siding or roofing comes off, it’s time to inspect and repair roof and window flashing, structural framing, housewrap and window frames. The new materials being installed are only as good as their support system, so during this process, correct any problems hidden under the surface.

Consider improving the energy efficiency of your home. Updating to a more efficient housewrap can increase water-resistance and wind-blocking abilities. Energy efficiency can also result by investing in replacement windows that can be flashed, insulated and installed correctly.

One of the main functions of a home’s exterior is to keep water from infiltrating the interior. Roof and siding works in tandem with gutters, downspouts and flashing to send water to the ground and away from the house. So new roofing and siding is the time to address any water management issues, and these problems need to be corrected before installing new materials.

Did you know that brick can also be updated? There are specially formulated stains that are applied by hand, brick by brick, which permanently changes the color of brick. See the before and after of the house above and below to see the difference brick staining can make.

New tuckpointing is required after a certain period of time, and it can also be a chance to change the color of the mortar to add some new flair to a brick home. And sealing your tuckpointing and brick will increase its water resistance and prolong its life.

A simple way to boost the curb appeal of a home is to build a new style of porch, or add one where it never existed. The addition of new landscaping also adds depth and interest. And sometimes, all it takes is a new front door and porch lighting to create a new feel for your home.

All of these projects were done by design-build team at Mosby Building Arts. See more photos of all these projects – and more – at this link.  Not only do they create and construct new life for your home, but they inspect and correct any underlying problems so your exterior remodel has structural integrity as well as lasting value. To explore the exterior design possibilities for your home, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

As spring flowers bloom, so does the desire to spruce up the exterior of your home. A new coat of paint is the most cost-effective and easiest way to facelift a home, but before you pick up a brush be sure the intended surface is ready for a paint job.

Painting Wood Siding

Before applying a new coat of paint to wood siding, do a thorough check of its condition.  If the finish is unblemished but simply faded from years of exposure, then prep and paint away.

But if the finish is cracking, peeling or blistering that could be a sign of water damage. Meaning, the wood has been soaking up moisture, which causes the wood to warp which shatters the paint finish. If the source of water damage is not first corrected, your new paint job could suffer the same fate as the old finish.

If all other siding appears in good shape yet the siding around the attic shows a failing paint finish, this could mean there are ventilation problems inside the attic. Inadequate ventilation creates moisture which tries to push itself out through the walls. Correct any attic ventilation and insulation issues before tackling the repair and painting of its corresponding exterior siding.

Painting Vinyl Siding

You can paint anything, but the real question is should you? Vinyl siding can be painted, but it noticeably expands and contracts with temperature changes which will quickly wreck your perfect paint job. If your vinyl siding is so old that it has faded or become unsightly, it’s much more cost effective to replace it.

Painting Wood Door & Window Frames

As with wood siding, if the existing paint finish is cracking, peeling or blistering, you could have water problems. Because these frames wick up water, look to the bottom 6” of door and window frames and check the condition of the wood. If the wood has a “chewed up” or splintering appearance, that’s a sure sign it’s soaking up water because it was not properly flashed or sealed, or the protection has been compromised.

Check for Critters

Insects like termites, wasps or bees love wood siding and will take any opportunity to move in. Any visible gaps or holes in any type of siding are an open invitation to squirrels and birds. To avoid a surprise while you’re up on a ladder with a paint bucket, thoroughly check siding, eaves and fascia for critters. Once the invaders are removed and gaps repaired, you can expect to paint surprise-free.

Think Ahead

If you’re thinking of a new deck, doors or windows in the foreseeable future, wait to paint until after those projects are completed.  These types of projects affect the siding around them (for instance, where the deck connects to the back of your home), so if you paint this spring and get a new deck next year, you’ll have to paint those areas all over again.

The key to a lasting, quality paint job is the preparation. Mosby Building Arts has a team of paint professionals who specialize in every stage of exterior painting, from repairing to prepping, and applying coatings that perform as good as they look. Learn more tips about painting your home. And for any questions or help with your exterior painting, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

With fall underway, it gets dark earlier every day leading up to Daylight Savings Time on the first weekend of November. Along with Trick or Treaters coming to the door, now is the perfect time to think about the outdoor lighting around your home.

There are four aspects of outdoor lighting to consider:

SAFETY

Avoid tripping and falling accidents for you and guests by lighting all the areas people use. All stairs, walkways and the driveway need constant, low-level illumination so you are sure of your steps. If safety lights are too bright or shining up into the face, it creates a glare that can be just as dangerous as no light at all. And all entries of your home – front, back and side – need a constant light that allows you to see and to feel welcomed into the home.

SECURITY

It is understood that well-lighted areas keep crime away, so use a mixture of steady dusk-to-dawn lighting (like a lamp post on the lawn and porch lighting) as well as motion detector lighting around the exterior of your home.

Security lighting should not be too bright, as strong lighting in a specific area increases the darkness elsewhere, creating convenient hiding places for vandals. And for your safety, control the glare and intensity with down-facing, shielded lighting of medium intensity.

Dusk to dawn and motion activated lighting is a good idea, but Hi/Lo Motion Activated lighting improves on these concepts. Specified lights stay on continuously but at a low level, and when movement is detected, that light amplifies.  And place these motion detector lights so you can see them from indoors and be aware of when they pop on.

AESTHETIC

Instantly increase the curb appeal of your home at night with special lighting that plays up significant features of your home. Place lights under favorite shrubs or trees for the drama of their shadows against the home. You can also accent architecturally pleasing points of the home like columns, keystones, or bay windows.

For your outdoor entertaining areas, avoid harsh, overhead lights that attract bugs and make it hard to see others. Opt for table lighting, strands of colored lights strung through trees or across the deck railings, or soft light outdoor light pendants or globes. And take advantage of the allure and flattering light of outdoor fireplaces or fire pits, which also come in handy during the cold autumn nights.

TYPES OF LIGHT

Americans are moving away from traditional incandescent and halogen lighting because the long lifespan and energy savings of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is undeniable.

Another energy-saving choice is LED lighting, which have the same lifespan and energy savings as CFLs, but with some additional benefits. LEDs do not heat up, increasing safety and – in the case of uplighting among landscaping and greenery – eliminating fire hazards. Because LEDs are manufactured as a solid piece with no glass or filament to break, they are resistant to shock, vibration and impact. And they dim as they begin to lose power, which gives you a heads up that it’s time to replace them rather than suddenly losing light.

The necessity and beauty of outdoor lighting is apparent, but it also encompasses many layers of detail. Work with the architects and planners at Mosby Building Arts on the lighting design that’s right for your needs, and they will install them for you, too. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

The end of World War 2 created a baby boom, which in turn created a need for more homes – fast. The new homes built in record time in the Metro St. Louis suburbs were known as “ranch homes,” a uniquely American architectural style of rectangular, one-story houses with low-pitched roofs, attached garages and large windows for an indoor-outdoor connection.

These new homes perfectly matched the new informal lifestyle, with central air conditioning, a floorplan centered around the family room and kitchen, and were adaptable for growing families because basements could be converted into more living space as needed.

Many of these ranch homes are now over – or rapidly approaching – 50 years of age, which qualifies some individual homes or entire subdivisions for historic designation, and there is a grassroots movement underway to educate people on the merits of maintaining these homes that still serve families so well to this day.

Any home over 50-years of age is usually ready for some remodeling (and has probably seen a good deal of it over its lifetime), and the ranch house remains a highly adaptable structure for 21^st century living.

The 21st Century Ranch Home

Ranch homes marked the beginning of modern construction materials and methods, most of which are still recognized or used by today’s remodelers. This makes it relatively easy to update these homes to today’s levels of energy efficiency, and implement new floorplans that better match the way we live today. And re-using these homes just makes sense for our pocketbooks and our communities, because the greenest home is the one already standing.

Accessible Design The one-level floor plan of the typical ranch is perfect for accessible living. Going up and down the stairs can become problematic over time, so having all daily needs on one level becomes a necessity for living comfortably and productively in your home.

There is a growing trend of older adults seeking one-level living for their retirement years, and this often finds them returning to the ranch style homes in which they originally raised their families. Quite often, they are still in the very same home and simply need the place remodeled for increased functionality and comfort.

Loft-Style Living Originally, the informal floorplan of the ranch is what differentiated it from more traditional, pre-WW2 house styles, and Americans now crave even more open space. Luckily, the ranch is highly adaptable, allowing you to remove interior walls and reconfigure spaces for more flow and usable square footage. This type of open floorplan is commonly known as “loft style,” where function is defined by furniture grouping rather than walls, creating spaces that can be quickly rearranged to meet ever-changing needs.

To achieve loft living in your ranch, it is possible to leave plumbing and HVAC fixtures in their original space (which helps with the remodeling budget) and create a whole new floorplan that takes advantage of existing views while maximizing living space. And this ultra modern layout coordinates beautifully with the mid-century modern style of a ranch, creating a unique synergy of form and function.

See more photos of how a ranch home converts to loft-style living.

Energy Efficiency As Americans deal with rapidly-increasing energy costs, the budgetary benefits of a smaller home become apparent, and this is where existing ranch homes have the advantage. It is no longer about the quantity of square footage, but the quality of how it is used, and when energy costs are measured by cubic feet, having less square footage helps with the energy bills.

There are both state and federal tax credits available for energy efficiency improvements, and working with trained and certified energy efficiency professionals will help you pin-point the improvements that will deliver the most comfort and long-term savings for the dependable ranch home.

Additional Space The ranches in suburban Metro St. Louis built from 1950 – 1970 were typically 800 – 1,500 square feet and even back in the day, families were building room additions to gain more space. So if you need more square footage, a ranch has the flexibility to embrace more space.

Because of lot size and placement on it, most room additions happen on the rear of the home, or built vertically as a 2^nd story addition, and refinishing the basement is always a smart investment. The rectangular nature of the ranch home and its modern construction makes it extremely accommodating for room additions.

See more photos of a ranch home rear addition.

Home Makeover The accommodating nature of the ranch home makes it ripe for a total makeover, inside and out. Updating the exterior design with new siding and roofing, or a new front entry makes a middle-age home look brand new. Pair that with a complete makeover of floorplan, systems and fixtures inside and you can essentially create a new home over an existing shell.

Older ranch homes exist in thriving, established communities with all the amenities and infrastructure already in place, so it makes sense on so many levels to remodel a strong home in a good neighborhood.

See more photos of a ranch home’s total makeover.

Mosby Building Arts specializes in remodeling ranch homes with personalized architecture and skilled craftsmanship for a quality home that will easily last for another 50 years. From design to energy efficiency improvements, Mosby has been contributing to sustainability and lifestyle improvements by renewing these homes to meet the needs of both the original owners of the home as well as new generations who love all the benefits of remodeling the most American of architectural styles – the ranch home.

Here’s an example of a son remodeling his parent’s ranch to match his lifestyle, and if you’d like to explore options for your ranch home, call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

First impressions are immediate and powerful, and every time someone passes your home they form a quick opinion about it based, in part, on your exterior siding.

Siding is the exterior envelope of your house, serving as protection from the elements while coping with moisture passing through from the interior. The location and weather patterns around your home – as well as its architectural style – will guide what type of siding to use, and the qualifications and experience of the firm who will install the new siding is just as important. After that, ongoing maintenance needs and price will help narrow down your choices.

EXTERIOR SIDING CHOICES

Stone & Cultured Stone Siding

Rock is beautiful and lends permanence to the home. Natural stone is nearly impervious to weather, and when it is properly protected it can last seemingly forever. These qualities also make it very expensive, which is why pre-cast stone veneers that look and feel like real stone are a popular option.

Whether you choose natural or cultured stone, ensure that it is protected with a special 10-year sealant to prevent spalling, and do not let vines grow on the walls as they weaken the mortar and hold moisture against the wall.

Brick & Brick Veneer Siding

Fired clay brick comes in a wide variety of earthy colors, and it is pricey because it can last for centuries. Brick veneers can look authentic for a more affordable price.

Brick requires maintenance to the mortar between the bricks, which will need to be re-tuckpointed based on the erosion caused by weather conditions around your home. Properly sealing brick and mortar adds substantially to its lifespan and greatly reduces the frequency (and expense) of tuckpointing. Certain sealers that bond internally need only be re-applied about every 10 years.

Cedar Siding

Cedar is a natural wood, and certain varieties are naturally resistant to insects and rot. Cedar shake can be left in its natural state so that weathering over time will give it a special patina. Paint or staining is also an option, and will need to be reapplied every 3-5 years.

Untreated cedar can crack or “cup” on the sides of the house that receive the most sun, while the shingles on the shady sides of the house can have mold, moss and fungus issues. Sealers specially formulated for cedar will reduce some of these concerns, and need only be applied one time.

Wood Clapboard Siding

Solid wood siding remains the first choice for traditional style and quality. With periodic maintenance, wood siding will outlast vinyl, as evidenced from so many wood clapboard houses built over a century ago still looking beautiful to this day. Unlike other siding materials, it can be repaired and partially replaced.

Improper installation can inhibit wood siding’s need to “breathe,” which results in paint and deterioration problems, and it will need to be repainted roughly every 10 years, depending on the amount of weathering the paint can withstand.

Engineered Wood Siding

Also known as oriented strand board (OSB), this is a composite material made with wood products and other materials. The panels are often molded to mimic traditional wood clapboard.

Engineered siding is installed with “hidden fasteners” rather than “face nailed.” This prevents water penetrating the core of the veneer material, and failure to follow manufacturing instructions results in damaged siding. Partial replacement of damaged pieces is very difficult. How often it will need to be repainted depends on whether it’s a factory pre-finish or painted after installation.

Fiber Cement Siding

An extremely durable material that is fireproof, termite-proof and can have the appearance of wood, stucco or masonry. It cuts and installs like wood siding, and can be painted in the color of your choice. It’s higher priced than natural or engineered wood, but exceptional manufacturers’ warranties make it a durable, low maintenance investment.

Cement fiber siding is typically not a do-it-yourself project, and should be installed only by certified professionals with fiber cement siding training and experience so that warranties fully apply. This material holds paint longer than wood siding, needing to be repainted roughly every 15-20 years.

Vinyl Siding

Made from PVC, it won’t rot or flake, is affordable to buy and relatively easy to install, which is what makes it the most popular siding material. An endless variety of colors and textures are available to fit any home design, and a spray washing once or twice a year is the extent of surface maintenance.

It can crack, fade or grow dingy over time, and keep the BBQ pit away from it as it will melt. Because vinyl is cheaper and easier to install, unqualified installers overlooking important moisture and flashing details are an all-too-common problem, which can result in serious water damage to the exterior and interior of your home.

Siding is the public face and protector of your home, and it is a sizable investment, so make sure that whatever siding material you choose is properly installed and protected.

The exterior design team at Mosby Building Arts is trained and experienced in all aspects of exterior siding. They begin by removing the old siding and applying the proper moisture barriers and flashing that keeps water out of your house. Their deep bench of siding professionals are certified in the proper installation of fiber cement board and vinyl siding, and the Mosby ProTreat sealing system adds another layer of protection and value to your exterior remodeling project.

Exterior siding is a precise art, and here is an example of Mosby’s award-winning siding work. To work with a team that will increase the value and beauty of your home, call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Would you like more room for living and entertaining?  Well, simply walk out your back door to see an untapped resource for extending your living space. Your back yard easily transforms into an outdoor living oasis with the addition of a deck or patio, so let the planning begin.

Decks and patios can easily incorporate gazebos, pergolas, pools, fountains and gardens…the options are limitless!  Which is why collaborating with design professionals is the best way to get an “outdoor room” that truly enhances your lifestyle and the value of your home.

When you work with a Mosby Building Arts design planner, dreams become reality by exploring the details on paper before the first hammer swings. Areas of consideration include:

Size Matters Picture how you’d like to live with a deck or patio; will it be a private space for your family to relax, or a place for entertaining large groups? Or would you like a flexible plan that can accommodate a combination of the two? Answers to these questions will determine how much furniture and square footage is needed.

Follow the Sun South-facing backyards need shaded areas on the deck, while a northfacing backyard may not require the awnings, pergolas or overhangs that create cool respite. Observing the sun, shade and wind will inform the overall design and function of the area.

Water & Light If you long to spend evening outside, you’ll need good lighting for safety, security and ambiance. Plan ahead for fixtures and electrical outlet needs. And install the proper number of outdoor faucets for watering gardens or a sink in an outdoor kitchen.

Maintenance & Durability You deserve to enjoy your outdoor room, not maintain it.  Work with a planner to choose the materials, finishes and sealers that protect your investment and leisure time.

Design Harmony An outdoor living space is an extension of your home, so it should enhance the exterior. Select materials, finishes and colors that coordinate with roofing, siding and windows. Consider the size, color and placement of landscaping around the patio. Mosby planners can keep an eye on the big picture so your new spaces harmoniously integrate with the whole.

Build It Right There are multiple structural and safety concerns when attaching a deck or patio to your home. Mosby carpenters apply for permits and build to the regulations of your municipality so you have a safe, watertight deck that serves  your family for decades.

Imagine your family room expanding into the backyard and realize the boundless potential for outdoor living.  To begin your backyard adventure and improve your warm-weather lifestyle, collaborate with the Mosby Building Arts planning and design team by calling 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

The arrival of spring and its promise of renewal is a great time to assess home exteriors with a fresh eye.  Did the roof emerge from the snow and ice season without damage?  Does the siding remain in good condition?  How did the concrete driveway and walks hold up to the Midwest freeze/thaw cycles?  And does the home look crisp and pleasing to your eye?

Now is the time to asses a home’s exterior health and attractiveness and begin the improvements that will increase the value, soundness and curb appeal of an important home investment.  Consider the importance of investing in exterior design that also reduces your future maintenance.

Water is the constant enemy of a house, and most exterior components of our homes are designed to keep water out.  Gutters, downspouts, flashing, roofs and attics require regular attention because they work together as a water management system.

There are ways to significantly reduce water management damage and maintenance.  Installing seamless, clog-free gutters removes cleaning gutters from the list of chores, and properly placing downspouts to move water away from the house helps avoid interior leaks and damage.  Flashing works in tandem with a roof to direct water into the gutters, so correctly installed flashing is as equally important as a sound roof that withstands rain and wind storms. Read here for the ill effects of bad flashing.

Roofing options are endless, and some good examples can be found here.  Issues such as heat gain, mold resistance and attic ventilation can be addressed in the type of roof chosen, but please pay attention to aesthetics as well as function.

A roof represents roughly one quarter of the look of a home.  Ever notice how an old, worn out roof with dirt streaks can cast communicate neglect on an otherwise tidy house?  Coordinating the look of the roof with the rest of the home is essential.

Think of coordinating roofing, siding and shutters in the same way we dress ourselves each day.  We mix and match our clothes to express different moods or reflect the occasion, and select accessories that enhance our desired colors.  Applying these same principals to a home is the basis of exterior design, and it contributes to curb appeal.

As with roofs, siding choices are endless and is best selected according to the amount of acceptable maintenance and the style desired.  Let’s review exterior siding choices.  Remember that choosing quality materials reaps the long-term benefit of durability which equals spending once to last a lifetime.

Pay particular attention to the colors of concrete driveways, sidewalks and patios because they contribute to first impressions.  They also affect the safety of those using them.  Cracked or spalling concrete is caused by water problems, and should be repaired or replaced.  Dirty concrete detracts from the appearance of the home and its landscaping beauty.  It is wise to protect your concrete investment with the durability that comes from cleaning and long-term sealing.

There is much to be gained from coordinating the exterior design of a home, and choosing the products that will bring the most value and durability.  Mosby Building Arts has a deep bench of roofing, siding, roof cleaning and sealing professionals experienced in enhancing and protecting your home’s exterior.  View an example of an award-winning Mosby project that completely transformed a house built in the 1980s, and when your home is ready for an upgrade, call the Mosby Team at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

Before the renovation.

After the renovation.

Mosby Building Arts and the proud homeowners know this project is special, and are deeply satisfied with the improvements that will last them a lifetime.  It turns out that others also appreciate the skill and design that went into enhancing this home.

This exterior renovation project in South St. Louis County is honored with two awards:

• The Home Builder’s Association of Greater St. Louis Homer Award for Outstanding Total Renovation, which recognizes excellence in design, workmanship and value in residential projects

• The CertainTeed Award of Excellence, which is a national award based on the creativity, craftsmanship, attention to detail and overall presentation of a project that uses CertainTeed products.

This home, built in the mid-1980s, was ready for new roofing, siding and windows, and the owners searched for outstanding materials with strong value. Their research brought them to two conclusions: CertainTeed had the best roofing and siding products, and Mosby Building Arts were the most qualified designers and installers to deliver lasting value for their home.

Both judges and the homeowners alike appreciated the Mosby Building Arts master plan that delivers beauty, function, reliability and real peace of mind. The judges cited the exceptional craftsmanship that delivered on the quality of the CertainTeed products.  Care and craftsmanship were acknowledged as crucial to protect the value of these quality products.

You can see more of this award-winning project here.

We at Mosby Building Arts appreciate the efforts of the judges in recognizing our design and workmanship that transformed the exterior of this home.  We extend our thanks to Wholesale Siding Depot for working with us to guarantee such a successful outcome.

Our deepest thanks go to our award-winning homeowners who remained committed to the best quality and service available. Their peace of mind from a job done right is our highest praise and as they wrote:

“We are so happy with our home. We did not realize how bad it looked until we saw the finished results. Just beautiful! All of the Mosby crew were very nice, and treated our home as if it were their own. We are very proud of our renovated home, and these awards are pretty cool for all of us involved in our beautiful home!”

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For a Kirkwood client, we designed a front porch that wraps around to a new garage expansion. One of the unique features we love about this project is how the steps outline the entire porch area, effectively creating unlimited bench seating options.

Another great feature: the multiple bays of the new garage each have a distinct function, with the middle bay specifically for storing a boat. Storage has never been so attractive!

This project is scheduled to be done right before Christmas. We’re looking forward to seeing a holiday wreath on the families’ gorgeous new front door. Below: one of the family’s dogs taking a rest after a round of Frisbee toss.