Farmhouse Exterior Renovation

Yardzen’s co-founders, husband-and-wife team Adam and Allison Messner, bought their dream property in 2017—an early 1900s farmhouse in California’s wine country. For over ten years, the two of them, and eventually four of them (kids Max and Coco), had spent weekends in Napa, dreaming about one day owning a piece of land where the kids could roam free and they could spend long summer days outside, enjoying everything the region has to offer.

When they eventually found this property, they knew this was “it.” A home with good bones, cute outbuildings, heritage trees, and plenty of space to play.

After purchasing the land, they set to work transforming the home into a welcoming space for family and friends. First the interior, and then, the farmhouse exterior. There was a lot that had to be done, including replacing the roof, new windows and doors, siding, lighting, and exterior paint (all elements included in Yardzen’s new exterior design packages).

Throughout the renovation, Adam (a professional conservationist) and Allison, worked with their contractor to make sustainable choices throughout the interior and exterior. Their goals: use the most environmentally friendly materials available, preserve the historic character of the home, and create a property that encourages time outside.

Here are their top choices for sustainable, beautiful, and functional materials for your home’s exterior renovation.

Get started on your exterior renovation today!

Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace”

“For our farmhouse exterior we chose Benjamin Moore ‘Chantilly Lace,’ a classic white. We use long-lasting Benjamin Moore paints on all of our homes, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with them on our Exterior Design packages,” says Yardzen’s co-founder and CEO, Allison Messner.

FSC-Certified Wood Siding

“We always recommend FSC-certified wood for any renovation. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council and ensures that wood has been grown and harvested sustainably,” says Yardzen’s Design Director, Kevin Lenhart. (Learn more about sustainable choices in the yard.)

Composite Shingle Roof

Roofing directly impacts your home’s energy efficiency, keeping the interior cool in the summer and warm in the winter. When it comes to roofing types, composite shingle roofs are one of the more environmentally friendly options as they include recycled materials. They are also budget-friendly and durable.

Windows

Heat gain and loss through windows are responsible for 30% of residential energy consumption, so ensuring that your home has energy efficient windows can have a huge impact on your carbon footprint. Yardzen’s window and door partner, Marvin, is certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and Energy Star.

Lighting

“Adding lighting to the exterior of your home is a game-changer,” says Allison. “Outdoor lights enable our family to spend nights outside, reading and playing games. Plus, exterior lighting adds incredible ambiance to your yard.” When it comes to outdoor lighting brands, Allison loves our exterior design partner Rejuvenation. “We have Rejuvenation’s Carson Collection of gooseneck exterior lighting throughout the property, both on the garage and on the exterior of the home. We love the timelessness, craftsmanship, and quality of Rejuvenation’s lighting, plus the Carson comes in several fun colors and is made in their Portland factory.”

Door

The front door sets the tone for the whole home. Here, Adam and Allison selected a black wood door with a glass panel, which adds contrast and depth to the white farmhouse exterior. Plus, it accents the property’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle. And, just like windows, doors are a crucial part of any energy-efficient home.

Get started on your exterior renovation today!