Exterior installs are mostly weatherproofing, drainage, and the features that define how the house presents and manages water.
01Gutter installation
Gutters are sold in 10-foot sections or as seamless runs cut on-site by a gutter machine. Fascia-mounted gutters attach to the fascia board with gutter hangers on 24-inch centers. Slope the gutter run 1/4 inch per 10 feet toward the downspout. Downspouts attach to the gutter with outlets, run down the wall in sections with brackets, and discharge at the grade via splash blocks or buried drain lines directing water away from the foundation.
02Exterior outlet installation
An exterior outlet requires a weatherproof in-use cover, a GFCI receptacle, and a circuit run from the panel or an existing interior circuit — the exterior box mounts to the outside of the house and connects through a hole in the exterior wall to the interior wiring. This is a permit-required electrical project in most jurisdictions.
03Storm door installation
A storm door frame mounts in the existing door opening. Most come as pre-hung units with an adjustable frame that accommodates standard door widths. Hinge-side installation first: drill the mounting holes, drive the hinge-side screws into the door frame (into the jamb, not just the casing), and attach the latch side. Adjust the door sweep and closer tension after installation.
04Motion sensor light installation
Replace an existing exterior light with a motion sensor unit using the same electrical box and wiring. Confirm the motion sensor coverage area and sensitivity settings before finalizing the mounting angle. Most motion sensor lights have adjustable sensitivity and duration controls on the back of the housing.
Marcus Webb is a general contractor and home maintenance writer based in Columbus, Ohio. He writes about the repairs and installs that come up every year in every house — the practical, repeating work that keeps a home livable.