Best Split Level Home Exterior Makeover Before & After

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Want to know the fastest way to add $50K+ to your split-level’s value? Fix the exterior. Those boxy 1970s split-levels can turn into the house people stop to stare at with the right updates.

If you have a split-level home from the 1970s and you’re ready for a modern exterior makeover, the front of your house is everything. It’s the first thing people see, which makes an exterior remodel one of the best ways to increase your home value.

Split-level homes usually look dated and forgettable but we can fix that. We used straightforward updates to completely transform ours: new siding, black windows that make the whole house pop, and a covered entry over the front door.

The result?

A home that looks nothing like the typical split-level.

Here’s the bonus: when you upgrade to larger windows on the exterior, your living room, family room, and kitchen suddenly flood with natural light. The outside looks incredible, and the inside feels completely different too.

How to Modernize a Split-Level Exterior

Here’s the split-level before we started—small windows, brown siding, zero curb appeal.

Modernizing a split-level exterior comes down to five key updates:

1. 1. New siding or paint – Fresh neutral colors make a huge difference. We replaced outdated siding with modern materials (fiber cement on top, stone veneer on the lower level—which looks amazing on split-levels, by the way).
2. 2. Upgrade windows and doors – Larger, energy-efficient windows change everything. Check out our post on how to modernize a split-level home with black windows for the full details.
3. 3. Boost curb appeal – Updated landscaping, new light fixtures, shrubs, trees, or a new walkway make the front of your home actually inviting.
4. 4. New roof – Architectural shingles in a color that coordinates with your siding pull the whole look together. If budget allows, add a small front porch or covered entry.
5. 5. Increase window size – If you’re replacing windows anyway, go bigger. More natural light inside, better proportions outside.

These changes transformed our split-level from forgettable to “wait, is that the same house?”

Here is the split level before we added new siding and windows.

Split Level Exterior Before and After

The white board and batten siding is by James Hardie and it’s beautiful!

There were a handful of siding options that we considered but ultimately, we wanted a modern farmhouse look and neither Jim nor I had ever done a modern farmhouse project on a split level house so the timing was perfect!

Ironically, the family that bought this house was visiting their family (Jim’s personal house he sold in 2020 before he moved in with me) right next door and they approached Jim to purchase this house.

Front Door Lantern | Modern Black Front Door Handle | Gooseneck barn garage door lighting

Here is another image of the house before.

Why a 1970s Split-Level Exterior Remodel is Worth It

As you can see below, we removed a lot of dead trees from the front yard and opted to leave two for shade. What a huge difference and the entire house is now visible from the road.

The side yard was also cleared to make room for the 2 car detached garage and second driveway.

The increased curb appeal on this property is 110 times better and I love how it turned out. 

The new wider front entry featuring the Horner Millwork Craftsman style front door by Masonite creates a beautiful focal point for the home. 

An exterior makeover for your split-level brings three major benefits: better curb appeal (making your home stand out instead of blend in), increased home value (we’re talking serious resale potential), and improved energy efficiency when you upgrade to modern materials and insulation.

Translation?

Your home looks better, sells for more, and costs less to heat and cool.

Split Level Siding Ideas

Jim replaced the roof, exterior siding, exterior doors and windows making this split level modern farmhouse showpiece.

Yes, horizontal vinyl siding would’ve been way cheaper—board and batten costs more than double, plus the installation is way more involved.

But we didn’t want this house looking like every other split-level on the block. Mission accomplished—it’s now the only modern farmhouse exterior split-level in the neighborhood.

The buyer also wanted a detached 2-car garage with a walk-up loft inside.

You can buy the Goose Neck black exterior lights on Amazon.