20 Inspiring Roofing and Exterior Projects

Last updated on April 26, 2024

Here’s our curated list of roofing and exterior projects with ideas and a bit of inspiration.

Roofs and exteriors may not be the first things that come to mind when we think about home improvement, but they are some of the most crucial components that can make or break our homes’ overall look and feel.

Whether you’re looking to give your house a facelift or want to ensure its protection against harsh weather conditions, there is no shortage of inspiring roofing and exterior projects that can transform your home into a stunning masterpiece.

From eco-friendly roofing materials to creative outdoor lighting solutions, this blog post will explore some exciting ideas for homeowners who want to enhance their property’s curb appeal while keeping it functional and comfortable all year round.

Building Our Dream Lakefront Summer Home: A Story Of Perseverance And Creativity

Website: thehappyhousie.com

This project involves building a lakefront summer place, which will be used as a cabin and summer home. The project began a few years back when the blogger bought a building property across the lake from where they lived at that time.

After considering different options like moving, renovation, and selling their previous house, they finally decided to build their dream home on the new lot.

Green Roofing: How To Create An Eco-Friendly Home

Website: greenhomegnome.com

Looking to make your home more environmentally friendly and safe? One great place to start is by focusing on your roof. A green roof offers several benefits, including lower energy bills and reduced waste concerns.

By taking simple steps like insulating your roof, using green materials, adding a roof garden or overhangs, and applying coatings, you can create an eco-friendly powerhouse that protects both you and the environment.

Copper Gutters 101: A Comprehensive Guide

Website: makinghomebase.com

If you’re looking to add charm and functionality to your home’s exterior, copper gutters might just be the solution you’re looking for. They offer superior durability, are low maintenance, provide excellent protection from water damage and mold growth while adding a distinctive touch of elegance that can increase the value of your home.

However, keep in mind that they come with a higher price tag than other gutter materials and require a professional installation where all parts must be made from copper for optimal performance. This comprehensive blog post explores everything you need to know before installing them in your home.

DIY Roof Maintenance: Preventing Leaks With Yearly Sealing Inspection

Website: designsbystudioc.com

This project is all about performing a yearly inspection of the roof’s seals to prevent leaks. The writer shares their experience of discovering cracked seals on their vents which led to water damage in their home, but they were able to fix it using Wet Patch sealant.

By inspecting and maintaining the roof on a regular basis, major repairs can be avoided while saving money and time in the long run!

DIY Modern Pergola Tutorial For Backyard Family Time

Website: lovelyindeed.com

If you’re looking for a DIY backyard project that’s perfect for family time, this modern pergola is a great addition! The tutorial comes with the exact hardware used to create it. Before starting your build, make sure to consider the size, shape, and direction of your cross beams carefully.

Fun And Educational Experiment: Teaching Kids About Roofs With Recycled Cardboard Models

Website: tinkerlab.com

The project featured on this hobby website involved a fun and interactive experiment to teach young children about the differences between flat and pitched roofs. The article details how the author designed 3-D models of two houses with different roof types out of recycled cardboard and used a makeshift sink setup to simulate rainfall, explaining the science behind water collection on each roof type.

It’s a great example of creative parent-child activities that can add an element of education into playtime.

DIY Shade Structures: Explore Various Roof Design Styles With ShadeScape® Models

Website: westerntimberframe.com

This website offers a variety of DIY plans for shade structures like pergolas, cabanas, gazebos, pavilions and arbors. They showcase their ShadeScape® models that feature integrative, 2-story, tiered and A-frame roof designs with examples of each.

They offer a rooftop cupola option to add elegance and charm to any outdoor living space.

Spring Roofing Maintenance Tips For Landlords And Property Managers

Website: rentecdirect.com

This hobby website post is all about maintaining the roofs of rental properties during springtime. The author provides some helpful tips for identifying and addressing common roofing problems that may arise after winter, such as damaged shingles, blocked gutters, and worn membranes.

By following these maintenance suggestions, landlords can avoid costly repairs down the line and keep their tenants safe and dry.

Building A Custom Backyard Studio For Kailo Chic

Website: akailochiclife.com

This blog post is about building a new custom studio space for Kailo Chic, an online business offering party, home decor, and design products. The author decided to build the studio in her backyard after realizing that office spaces in Austin were too expensive.

The post goes on to explain the process of designing and constructing the 700 sqft open concept space with sketches and inspiration photos.

Rooftop Walk: Exploring The Possibilities Of Under-Used Space

Website: earthbound.report

The Rooftop Walk is an interesting and innovative event that took place in Rotterdam recently. It involved a series of events held on rooftops around the city, with walkways and bridges that make them accessible.

The aim was to highlight the fact that in most cities, rooftops are under-used space while at the same time providing opportunities for housing, affordable spaces for business start-ups, more green space and parks etc. The project also produced “The Rooftop Catalogue, ” a catalogue of uses for a rooftop; there are 130 different ideas included in the book!

Enhance Your Outdoor Space With A DIY Pergola: A Guide To Design And Costing

Website: hardieboysinc.com

Are you looking to add a touch of elegance and value to your backyard or garden? Consider building a pergola! A pergola is a beautiful outdoor structure that provides shade and enhances the aesthetics of your outdoor space.

In this blog post, the authors discuss three compelling reasons why you should build a pergola for your home. They also offer useful information on cost breakdowns and materials needed for building a DIY pergola project.

Building a Hideaway With a Polycarbonate Roof Using Tuftex Panels

Website: thehandmadehome.net

This hobby project involves building a hideaway with a polycarbonate roof. The post discusses the advantages of using Tuftex panels and provides easy-to-follow instructions on attaching these panels to the frame.

It also lists the necessary tools and supplies required for this stage of the build, making it an easy guide for those who want to take up this DIY project themselves!

Storm Damage Restoration: A Home Repair Journey

Website: virginiasweetpea.com

This hobby project is about documenting the repairs and restoration of a home after a storm damaged it. The post details the step-by-step process of repairing sections of the roof, hanging drywall in the family room, sanding the surfaces, fixing ceilings, adding new HVAC units to replace old ones and rebuilding fence that was destroyed.

Demystifying The Roof Replacement Process: A Podcast Episode

Website: biggerthanthethreeofus.com

In this podcast episode, Suzannah shares her experience of getting her historic home’s roof replaced. She breaks down the process from getting bids to selecting shingle colors and living with a new construction overhead.

DIY Green Roof Installation: Tips And Considerations

Website: diyprojects.com

This hobby website shares tips and considerations for installing a green roof at home. It’s a perfect project for those who want to have a living garden right on top of their roofs! The article discusses the cost, time, location, and maintenance required in the process, with helpful advice on how to properly plan and execute this unique project.

Enhance Your Fireplace Experience With Chimney Caps Screens And Grates: A Comprehensive Guide

Website: welovefire.com

Are you looking to improve your fireplace experience? This website has got you covered with an overview of chimney caps, fireplace screens, and fireplace grates. Learn about the benefits of each accessory and get some tips on how to choose the right one for your needs.

Stay safe while enjoying the warmth and ambiance of your indoor or outdoor fire with these helpful items!

Building a House: Where to Splurge and Save

Website: honeybearlane.com

This hobby website post reflects on the experience of building a house and shares ideas on where to splurge (such as opting for 9ft basement ceilings) and where to save (such as doing the kitchen backsplash yourself or getting hookups for future installations). The author also encourages readers to consider factors like flooring, trimmings, and lighting fixtures.

Building a New House: Updates On Slow Progress With Pictures

Website: wildfireinteriors.com

This website shares updates on building a new house, with pictures showing the progress made so far, including external and internal components. The writer reports that while progress had been slow due to excessive rain, walls, windows and a roof have been installed in the past few weeks.

There are plans to add plumbing, HVAC and electrical fittings soon before proceeding into other aspects of completing the project.

DIY Exterior Paint Transformation Of A Florida Stucco Home

Website: withinthegrove.com

This project is about a DIY exterior paint job on a 2,600+ square feet stucco home with metal windows in Florida. The author painted every square inch of the house including the fascia, exterior doors and garage door in Cloud White by Benjamin Moore and the windows frames in Black Magic by Sherwin-Williams.

By doing it herself, she saved thousands of dollars which she used to install new gutters for the house. She will be sharing separate tutorials on how to paint various parts of an exterior house.

DIY Solar Panel Installation: A Guide For Beginners

Website: picklee.com

In this project, the author guides you on how to install solar panels by yourself and save money in the process. From finding the optimal location and direction for your panels to ensuring that your roof is in good condition, we cover everything you need to know.

Plus, they even share some things that solar installation companies might charge you for but can be done easily at home!