Create Your Dream Home With Free Exterior Design Tool

"Can I design my own home remodel?” With a computer, a camera, and our free home design software, you can create the home of your dreams!

Sometimes, the hardest part about remodeling is imagining what your house will look like when everything’s done. It’s not easy paying thousands of dollars for something you can’t actually see.

Thankfully, technology has given us the ability to create a virtual remodeling experience that shows what your home could look like with trendy new doors, windows, siding, and more.

Today, with a camera, a computer, and a few minutes' time, you can design a completely new look for your home. Here’s how to do just that with our free home design tool, the Window World Visualizer.

Where to go … 

Finding our home remodeling software is easy. From WindowWorld.com, go to the Inspiration page and scroll down until you see a big blue button reading “Launch Our Visualizer.” This will get you started. Alternatively, you can find a link to the Design Center in the footer of our site. And if you’re ready to start creating things now, you can click here to get started.

*Note: You’ll need to be on a desktop computer to use the Visualizer.

Getting started 

Once you’re on the Visualizer’s homepage, you’ll have four options. Make a choice based on the type of design you want to create: 

• “Use our photos” is for quick designs using pre-selected home images. This is the best choice for getting an idea of what certain product styles, configurations, options, and colors will look like. *Tip: If you’re new to windows, this is a great place to learn about all the different styles.

• Click “Upload your photos” if you want to create a design using an actual picture of your home. This requires a bit of masking work but will show you how new products might look on your house.

• “Open saved project” is for continuing a design that you saved earlier. If you want to tweak a few things on a previous design, this is where to go.  

• Chose “Design Services” if you’d like a team of professionals to prepare (or mask) a photo of your home for you. The charge is $15, and you’ll receive the finished photo in two business days.

TWO WAYS TO DESIGN …

1) Use our photos 

Pick an image that best represents your home or the remodel that you’re after. Once you have it, you’re ready to select new products, play with different colors, and see your ideas in action. Skip to the step below called “Designing your new products.”

2) Upload your photos

If you’d prefer to upload an image of your house, take a photo following the guidelines below:

• Make sure your image is in landscape orientation (wide, not tall), and that it’s at least 1600 pixels wide.
• PDFs are not accepted (so most blueprints are out of the question), but JPG, JPEG, and PNG formats work great.
• Make sure your image isn’t bigger than 16 MB.
• Try to get the clearest view of your home without any obstructions (lawnmowers, swing sets, kids’ toys, etc.)

Once your image is uploaded, you’re ready to set the scale by telling the system how large things are in your picture. To do this, click on the corner of a wall, door, or window to create a measuring line and connect it at the bottom. 

*Hint: Most doors measure 6’ 8”, so this is a great place to set your scale without getting out the tape measure. 

With your scale set, you’re ready to “mask out” all the products you’d like to replace. First, choose a “masking area” on the left. The choices are “Window,” “Siding,” “Entry Door,” “Roofing,” and “Garage Door.” You can also mask foreground elements like trees and shrubs to make your design cleaner, but it’s unnecessary. 

After selecting a product, trace around the corresponding area in your image by clicking at each of its corners, creating a perimeter in the process. You’ll do this once for all the products you’d like to replace. Once you’ve masked everything, you’re ready to start designing! 

Designing your new products

Before you replace old products with new ones, you need to create them first. This is where you let your design dreams run wild! Try out new grid patterns, play around with hardware, and pick just the right color for your house. The possibilities are inspiring, and creating new products is as easy as ordering takeout.

First, click on the masked areas in the main image (outlined in blue or green), or chose a product from the list on the left.

Next, chose the style of product you like.

Once you’ve chosen a style, you’ll be given additional design options depending on the product. This is where you’ll decide on a color, configuration, glass, trim, and more.  

Now you’re ready to save the design by clicking the floppy disk icon in the top right-hand corner. You can also take snapshots of the image, share it, print it, or download it to your computer. If you’d like to come back later to make more changes, create an account using the drop-down menu at the top. This will ensure that your design is ready to go when you come back. 

*Bonus tip: Click on the star icon in the menu bar to toggle between a Before & After of your design. This is a great way to see the transformation you’ve created and to learn what things you might want to live without.

The finished product! 

When you’re done, you can easily download a design report by clicking on the “print” icon. This will give you a color printout of your design along with specific product information for everything you created. Take this report to your local Window World store or call for an in-home appointment. We’ll be happy to discuss your design and create a quote including all your new products.

If you’ve already used our exterior design software and are looking for more inspiration, visit the blog and check out our gallery. When you’re ready to speak with someone about your next home remodel, we’ll be here. Call 1-800 NEXTWINDOW or request a quote online to get started.

12 Tips for Home Exterior Design in 2019

We have cultivated some projects and come up with 12 tips to help with your house exterior design.  A beautiful house exterior is just as important, if not more important, than a beautiful interior.  Maybe it’s time to show your house some love with simple changes that create a big impact!

Tip #1.

Front Load Garage Tips:

Do you have the dreaded front load garage? Your garage takes up too much real estate on the front of your home to just ignore it…. It’s like the elephant in the room.  That said, we say either hide it or make it beautiful! There are so many options now for garage doors that if you are ready to replace you can find something beautiful.  If you’re not ready to replace, just add garage hardware or paint your existing garage.  This will make a world of difference.

Tip #2.  

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Brick Color Tips:

Is your brick color driving you crazy?  What you thought was great in the showroom may not translate the same when it appears in your environment.  Your house exterior design is effected by awful looking brick.  Brick can be  gorgeous, durable, and timeless.  We love brick; however, sometimes the color isn’t ideal.  That said, we say don’t be afraid to find a good painter and paint your brick.  

Tip #3.

Old Window Tips:

When your windows are old, sometimes a good cleaning can help spruce them up again.  Other times, adding trim around the window will bring life back to the area and create the appearance of larger windows.  Sometimes the windows just appear old because of the out of control bushes in front of them.  So, if possible, clean, trim, and cut.  Windows definitely can make or break your home’s curb appeal.  That said, if it’s time to replace, think simple.  We love Marvin windows because of the quality, selections, and ability to custom make windows to your liking and size.

Tip #4.

Front Porch Tips:

Are you ready to add a front porch to your home?  Of course you are, and I don’t blame you! Adding a front porch is an excellent way to draw attention to your doorway, protect your guests, and offer more living space.  I spend hours on my porch just talking, working, telling stories, drinking wine, meeting neighbors, and living.  If you have the option, a front porch is life changing! From improving your mental health to amping up your curb appeal, I definitely recommend a front porch for your house exterior design.

Tip #5.

Front Door Tips:

Your front door is the focal point of your home and where you greet guests.  That said, it’s a front door is a key to curb appeal; therefore, it should be gorgeous and reflect your personal taste.  A door, done correctly, will return over 100% on investment… this means, in most cases, you are going to make more when you go to sell than what you spent on the door itself.  No brainer!  Right now, Dutch Doors are making a huge comeback.  Also, wood stained doors will never go out of style.  One door color on the way out in 2019 is red; for that reason, stick to blue or more earthy tones.

Tip #6.  

House Lighting Tips:

Lighting is extremely important.  It provides security and beauty for your family.  Different lighting should be used on different home styles; however, one thing that remains the same on all home styles is lighting size.  We recommend lighting be ⅓ to ¼ the size of your door.  Taller doorways and rooflines need larger lights!  Most builders go way too small.  We say, don’t be afraid to go big!

Tip #7.

Gutter Tips:

Gutters can look cheap and old really quickly.  They are a thing… but unfortunately a necessary thing.  That said, you need to understand the language.  First, the gutter is the horizontal piece along your roofline.  Second, the downspout is the vertical tube going down the side of your house. Third, the elbow is the L shape at the bottom of the downspout that directs water away from your home’s foundation. If your gutters, downspouts, and elbows are usable, they can always be painted to match your house.  If you are looking to replace, we are seeing a lot of copper and more aluminum silver gutters.  They are gorgeous and will update your home instantly; however, they are expensive.  A similar, more cost effective look, may be achieved through painting.

Tip #8.

Shutter Tips:

As you drive around, look at homes you pass with different shutter styles.  You will notice some look amazing and others look dreadful.  Why?  Because your eye is trained to see when things just don’t look right.  Sometimes you can’t put your finger on it, but you know something is not right with the house design.  If the home has shutters, look no further! Many homes I see have shutters that are not appropriate size for the window.  The shutters should appear to close over the window.  If they don’t, they are too small; therefore, you need a larger shutter. Also, adding shutter hardware is a wonderful was to add character and interest to your windows. 

Tip #9.

Landscape Tips:

This is the time of year that landscape can get out of control if you don’t do the necessary cutting, pulling, weeding, and care for your yard.  Your curb appeal will shine if your landscape is in check.  That means, evaluate your yard. Do you notice dying bushes or grass areas that need to be pulled out and replaced? Have you created a plan or is everything just planted haphazardly?  If you don’t have a plan, we opt for larger bushes in back to provide a green hedge for the small flowering plants in the front.  Many times a local nursery will visit your home if you are buying the plants from them!

Tip #10.

Walkway Tips:

Yes, your walkway leading to the door absolutely matters!  Most walkways are made from builder concrete and serve the purpose; however, if you are looking to set your home apart and add that WOW factor, then changing your walkway to the door is a must!  Finding a walkway to complement your home style is key.  A simple flagstone or brick is a beautiful alternative to a generic builder concrete. Because of this, we say do it!

Tip #11.

Awning, Gable, Portico Tips:

Awnings, gables, and porticos are a fantastic way to add depth and character to your home.  A metal awning, gable, or portico may be used over a door, window, garage, or porch area.  They update the look and provide protection from the weather.  Most awnings are easy to install and less expensive than an alternative type roof.  All are fun and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials.  If your house needs a little extra something, an awning will do the job!

Tip #12.

Get a brick&batten Virtual Exterior Design:

Have you thought about your home a different color or style? Then it’s time to get a brick&batten virtual exterior design. Maybe you’ve been on our website and just aren’t sure how it works.  If you’re struggling with the vision or just want to see what your home will look like with max curb appeal, then a brick&batten design is for you.  Building a new home and sitting in the showroom with tons of choices, a brick&batten design is for you. Are you are a realtor and want to market a home for potential buyers, a brick and batten design is for you.  Maybe you just need a partner to be sure you’re on the right track, we are there to help you, too.  No matter what the reason or type of home, our brick&batten home exterior designers have seen it all and want to offer help and support.  

Overall, creating a beautiful home exterior doesn’t have to be difficult.  Simple changes create a huge impact with curb appeal. Learn more about our virtual home design service!