Onyx Exteriors: 5 Exterior Upgrades That Make A Home Stand Out—And Stand Up To The Weather

Founded in 2021, Onyx serves Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo and the surrounding region with siding, stone, gutters, soffit and fascia, windows, and decking. Its process extends from consultation and 3D design through installation and a final quality-assurance walkthrough.

Boe recommends treating a Fargo exterior remodel as one connected system, not a collection of unrelated products. Here are five places where a planned upgrade can make the greatest difference.

1. Let Siding Establish the Home's New Identity

Siding covers more visual territory than nearly any other exterior element, making it the natural starting point for a transformation. It is also a critical layer of protection against wind, hail, moisture, sun, and temperature changes.

Cracks, warping, loose panels, chalking, repeated repairs, or moisture behind the siding deserve attention. What looks like cosmetic wear may also signal trouble with drainage, flashing, insulation, or air sealing.

The right replacement depends on more than color. Seamless steel delivers exceptional durability. Fiber cement provides strength and a substantial architectural appearance, while engineered wood can offer the warmth of traditional wood with less upkeep. Onyx installs several premium siding systems, including James Hardie fiber cement, LP SmartSide, and Diamond Kote products.

Boe advises weighing budget, desired maintenance, sun exposure, the home's architecture, and how long the owner plans to stay. The best choice is not automatically the most expensive; it is the material that best fits the home, climate, and homeowner's priorities.

2. Use Stone and Architectural Details with Purpose

A home does not need an entirely new shape to look custom. Often, the transformation comes from changing proportion, contrast, and texture.

Stacked stone can add depth around an entryway, along a lower elevation, or at the base of columns. Coordinated window wraps, trim, garage doors, and exterior doors can reinforce the same visual language. The strongest designs rarely use every available feature. They use a few materials deliberately.

Because combinations can be difficult to imagine from small samples, Onyx photographs the home and develops a detailed 3D model that clients can customize with different products and finishes. Homeowners can compare complete concepts before construction rather than making disconnected decisions one at a time. The company's formal process incorporates 3D design before installation begins, followed by installation, cleanup, and a final quality check.

3. Treat Gutters as a Foundation-Protection System

Gutters may be one of the least exciting exterior purchases, but they can prevent some of the most expensive problems. When gutters are clogged, undersized, sagging, leaking, or poorly pitched, water can spill beside the foundation, erode landscaping, soak fascia, and contribute to basement moisture. Snow, ice, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles make those weaknesses more consequential in this region.

Boe considers gutters one of the quickest ways to add practical value. Seamless systems reduce the number of joints where leaks can develop, but sizing and downspout placement matter just as much. Water needs a clear route away from the structure rather than being deposited at its base. Onyx's gutter work includes installation, repairs, downspouts, guards, and maintenance.

Homeowners should inspect gutters in spring and fall and after major storms. Overflow marks, pulled fasteners, peeling paint near the roofline, and pooling water near the foundation all indicate that the system needs attention.

4. Do Not Overlook Soffit and Fascia

Soffit and fascia often disappear into the roofline, yet both are essential to how a home functions. Soffit helps ventilate the attic and control moisture. Fascia protects the roof edge and supports the gutter system. When either is damaged, homeowners can face rot, ice-dam conditions, premature roof deterioration, and openings for insects or animals.

Older homes with wood soffit and fascia deserve close inspection. Peeling finishes, staining, soft spots, warped boards, pest activity, or gutters pulling away from the house may indicate deterioration beyond the surface.

Replacing those components with durable, low-maintenance materials can sharpen the roofline while addressing ventilation and moisture concerns, an upgrade that improves appearance because it improves function. Onyx's services include full replacement, ventilation upgrades, fascia repair, restoration, and custom cladding.

5. Make Windows and Doors Part of the Exterior Plan

Aging or poorly installed windows can allow drafts, increase heat transfer, create condensation, and leave some rooms noticeably less comfortable than others. Low-E coatings, multiple panes, gas fills, insulated frames, and warm-edge spacers can improve performance, but Boe emphasizes that installation is just as important as the glass package. A high-performing window that is poorly fitted or sealed cannot deliver its intended benefit.

Windows and doors also establish the rhythm of the facade. Frame colors, trim widths, and the front door should be selected alongside siding and stone, not after the major decisions are made. A stronger entry color, updated door style, or darker window frame may pull the entire exterior together.

The same thinking can extend to outdoor living. Composite decking offers durability with minimal maintenance, while wood provides a classic appearance and lower initial cost but requires regular staining and sealing.

Choosing a Contractor for Your Fargo Exterior Remodel

Even premium materials can fail when preparation, flashing, fastening, or sealing is wrong. Boe encourages homeowners to look beyond the bid's bottom line. Ask whether the contractor is licensed and insured, who will perform the work, how hidden damage and change orders are handled, what warranties apply, and what the final walkthrough includes. Review completed projects and speak with past clients.

Trust comes through communication, clarity, and demonstrated care. Onyx uses its own employees for core exterior work, while a partner company handles roofing. Onyx coordinates the broader transformation and is BBB accredited with an A+ rating.

For Boe, that continuity defines the white-glove experience: educating homeowners, helping them envision possibilities, and guiding their investment from the first conversation through final inspection.

The best remodel should improve appearance, comfort, and protection while reducing maintenance. Done well, a home looks as good from the driveway as it feels inside.

Onyx Exteriors
onyxnd.com
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FAQ Section

Q: What exterior services does Onyx Exteriors offer?
A: Siding, stone, gutters, soffit and fascia, windows, and decking, with a partner company handling roofing.

Q: What should homeowners look for when choosing a contractor?
A: Confirm the contractor is licensed and insured, ask who performs the work, how hidden damage and change orders are handled, what warranties apply, and review past completed projects.

Q: What's the first place to start on a Fargo exterior remodel?
A: Siding is often the natural starting point, since it covers the most visual area and protects against wind, hail, moisture, and temperature swings.