How to Update a Split Level Home Exterior: Make It Trendy And Modern

Most split-level homes in St. Petersburg were built between 1965 and 1982 — that 1970s ranch and split-level era when staggered floor plans, low-pitch rooflines, and dark T1-11 plywood siding defined the look. Updating one for 2026 isn't a Pinterest project. It's a real exterior renovation that touches siding, fascia, soffits, windows, garage doors, and (in coastal Pinellas) hurricane wind-load compliance under the current Florida Building Code. A typical exterior refresh runs 4-6 weeks; if structural changes to load-bearing walls, dormers, or cantilevered overhangs are involved, plan on 8-10 weeks.

On the permit side, cosmetic siding swap-outs in St. Pete usually don't require a building permit, but anything that alters the exterior structure — re-framing, new window openings, garage door header replacement — needs a St. Petersburg Building Department permit and a wind-load engineering letter. If your split-level is in a FEMA-designated flood zone (large stretches of Shore Acres, Riviera Bay, and parts of Lakewood Estates qualify), exterior work that touches the foundation or lower-level walls also triggers the FEMA 50% rule review. Knowing this before demo day saves weeks.

Some of the best ways to remodel a split-level home exterior are:

• Paint Your Split-level
• Update siding
• Update Doors and Windows
• Rethink the Entryway
• Organize the Landscape of the Split-level Exterior
• How to Update Roofline
• Add Architectural details
• Upgrade Technology and Safety of the Split-level House
• Touch of your creativity
• Hire the Right People

We're here with a guide to these ways to modernize a split level home with some smart and stylish changes.

1. Paint Your Split-level

The lowest-effort way to modernize a 1970s split-level exterior is paint. A full exterior repaint on a typical 2,000 sq ft St. Petersburg split-level runs 5-7 days with our in-house W-2 carpentry crew prepping, masking, and rolling — no rotating subcontractors. We pressure-wash, scrape any failing paint, prime bare wood and T1-11 panels with an oil-based bonding primer, then finish with a 100% acrylic exterior rated for Florida UV and salt air. Sherwin-Williams Emerald Rain Refresh and Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior are the two products we keep specifying because they hold color past the 7-year mark in coastal Pinellas.

Here are some tips for picking the paint color,

Choose Neutrals

You can use shades of gray, beige, and white. These colors are timeless and go well with modern and trendy aesthetics. For a bold look, you can choose navy or dark green.

Contrast

You can use a contrasting color for trim, shutters, and doors. White trim against darker siding can create a crisp, clean look. You can highlight the distinct features using a different shade or a pop of color on the roofline.

2. Update Siding

The original T1-11 plywood and rough-sawn cedar siding on most St. Pete split-levels is at the end of its service life — 50+ years of hurricane-driven rain, salt air, and FL sun. Re-siding the entire exterior runs 3-4 weeks for a 2,000 sq ft home, including tear-off, sheathing repair, and new house wrap. If we find rotted sheathing or termite damage behind the old siding (we usually do on at least one wall), add 3-5 days. A St. Petersburg Building Department permit is required for full siding replacement and a wind-load calculation must be filed showing the new fastening pattern meets the 150-mph design wind speed required in Pinellas County under the current Florida Building Code.

Fiber Cement

James Hardie HardiePlank and HardiePanel are our default specification for any St. Petersburg exterior under 3 miles from open water. Hardie carries a 30-year limited warranty, holds paint twice as long as wood or vinyl, and is rated for the 150-mph wind zone in Pinellas without supplemental fastening. Material runs roughly $3-5/sq ft; installed (with tear-off, house wrap, fasteners, trim, paint) we typically come in around $14-18/sq ft on a split-level. Lead time on color-matched ColorPlus orders is 2-3 weeks from the local distributor, so we order at the permit-application stage to keep the schedule tight.

Vinyl Siding

Insulated vinyl siding (CertainTeed Cedar Impressions, Mastic Structure) is the budget-friendly option, installed around $9-12/sq ft. It's still permitted in St. Petersburg, but we walk every client through the trade-off: vinyl can warp under direct FL sun on south-facing elevations and the seams are obvious from 20 feet. For a split-level where the upper half catches direct afternoon sun, we usually steer toward Hardie on the upper portion and reserve vinyl (if at all) for the shaded lower garage face.

Wood or Composite Siding

Real wood siding — typically western red cedar or cypress — and composites like LP SmartSide give the warmest look but carry the highest maintenance load in coastal Pinellas. Plan on a re-stain or repaint every 4-5 years versus 8-10 for Hardie. In the Old Northeast historic district, the city preservation review board requires real wood or wood-equivalent profiles on contributing structures, so we default to LP SmartSide there because it's accepted by the historic board and resists rot in Florida humidity better than raw cedar.

3. Update Doors and Windows

In order to modernize your split-level house exterior, replacing outdated windows and doors helps a lot. Using modern design can drastically improve the curb appeal of your home. You can consider the following when changing the doors and windows:

Energy-Efficient Windows

A 1970s split-level still on its original single-pane aluminum sliders is leaking conditioned air and failing the current FL energy code. We typically replace with PGT WinGuard or CGI Sentinel impact-rated windows — both carry a Florida Product Approval, meet the 150-mph wind zone requirement for Pinellas, and qualify the home for an insurance wind mitigation credit. A whole-house window replacement on a typical split-level is 12-16 openings and runs 3-5 days for installation once the windows arrive (lead time is 6-8 weeks from order). The St. Petersburg Building Department permit is required and the inspector will check the buck and fastener pattern against the manufacturer NOA.

Modern Front Door

We specify Therma-Tru Classic-Craft or Plastpro fiberglass impact-rated entry doors on most St. Petersburg split-levels — fiberglass holds up better than steel in salt air and won't warp like wood. Replacement is a 1-day install for our in-house carpenters, including a new buck, weatherstripping, and threshold. If the existing opening is non-standard 1970s framing (a lot of split-levels are), we add a half day for re-framing and a structural fastener inspection.

Garage Doors

The original 1970s garage door is almost always non-impact and a major wind-load weak point — when a hurricane breaches the garage door, the pressure differential lifts the roof off. We replace with a Clopay Coachman or Wayne Dalton 9100 impact-rated door carrying a Florida Product Approval for the 150-mph zone. Install is 1 day, the wind mitigation inspection picks up the new opening protection, and the homeowner usually sees an insurance premium credit within the next renewal cycle. See our home addition and exterior remodeling page for related structural work.

4. Rethink the Entryway

Renovating the entryway can influence the overall look of your exterior. There are a few elements that you can add to enhance the look of the entrance.

Install New Light

A modern light porch can instantly update the look of your entryway. Pick something in a clean metal finish that matches other exterior aesthetics.

Add a Walkway

You can add a well-defined walkway leading to your front door using pavers, brick, or stamped concrete for a polished look.

Planters or Flower Beds

You can use plants that complement the style of your home, such as tall grasses or succulents, for a modern look. Planters or flower beds bring life and color to your home exterior.

5. Organize the Landscape of the Split-level Exterior

You can modernize the landscape with some small changes that can have a big impact. Some of the ways are,

Clean Design

A simple and clean landscape with low-maintenance plants does the work. You can consider proper upkeep of the lawn by adding rock beds with the plants.

Outdoor Lighting

A well-planned outdoor lighting can help highlight the pathways, trees, and the home's unique features. Good outdoor lighting can add dimension and give the home an organized character, too. Eco-friendly lights powered by solar panels can often be a good choice.

6. How to Update Roofline

To give your split-level home a fresh look, modernizing the roofline by updating the materials works amazingly. Here are some ways to upgrade the roofline:

Let the Old Roof Go

Most 1970s split-levels in St. Petersburg are on their second or third roof and the original 3-tab shingles are gone. We replace with GAF Timberline HDZ architectural shingles or, for clients near open water in Shore Acres or Snell Isle, a 5V crimp standing-seam metal roof. Both meet the 150-mph wind zone, both qualify for the Citizens or private insurer wind mitigation credit, and both come with a documented Florida Product Approval. Tear-off and re-roof on a 2,000 sq ft split-level runs 4-6 days weather permitting and requires a separate roofing permit through the St. Petersburg Building Department with a re-nail inspection of the deck before underlayment.

Clean Drainage

Though it's a small detail, clean and well-maintained gutters can make your home look neat and well-cared-for.

7. Add Architectural Details

To really set your split-level home apart, you can add architectural elements that reflect modern design trends. Some suggestions for architectural features are the following:

Horizontal Lines

You can highlight lines by adding horizontal wood slats, cladding, or trim. This can elongate the appearance of your home and give it a contemporary feel.

Overhangs and Cantilevers

Many 1970s split-levels have cantilevered upper-floor overhangs that have sagged or developed dry rot at the joist tails. Repair or rebuild requires opening the soffit, sistering or replacing the cantilever joists, and re-engineering the support — this is structural and triggers a St. Petersburg Building Department permit, an engineering letter, and a framing inspection. Budget 1-2 weeks of in-house carpentry labor depending on how far the rot has spread. We don't subcontract this work — it's the kind of detail that goes wrong when a rotating crew touches it.

8. Upgrade Technology and Safety of The Split Level House

Modernizing the exterior of your split-level home isn't just about aesthetics. Upgrading technology and security can add significant value, comfort, and peace of mind.

HVAC Systems

You can update the HVAC system with smart thermostats. It optimizes heating and cooling and improves energy efficiency. It also allows you to control the temperature remotely via smartphone apps.

Whole House Audio

For a modern touch, install outdoor speakers or a whole-house audio system. This allows you to enjoy music or announcements throughout your property. You can easily control it by using your smartphone.

Smart Security Systems

Remodel your home's security with smart cameras, video doorbells, and motion sensor lights. Many of these systems are compatible with your smartphone. You can also monitor and control access to your home from anywhere.

9. Touch of Your Creativity

You can add your personal touches to make your home exterior reflect your personality and style. This will make your home stand out the most. Here are some ideas to express your creativity with the exterior of your split-level home.

House Numbers

Choose modern house numbers in a bold font and material like metal or wood to add a subtle yet stylish detail. You can make your customized number plates, too.

Outdoor Art or Sculptures

You can add outdoor art, sculptures, or even a water feature to create a unique focal point in your yard. Consider a well-planned composition while placing the artwork.

10. Hire the Right People

Modernizing a 1970s split-level exterior is structural, code-driven work — not a paint job. Hire a licensed Florida CGC general contractor who runs an in-house W-2 carpentry crew (not a broker who rotates subcontractors), pulls the St. Petersburg Building Department permit in their own name, and has documented experience with FEMA flood zone work in Pinellas if your home is in an A or V zone. Jeremy and the Revolution crew specialize in 1965-1982 era split-level and ranch homes in St. Pete and have completed full exterior refreshes in Shore Acres, Lakewood Estates, Disston Heights, and Riviera Bay over the last several years. We're typically responsive same day to permit office questions and inspector callbacks, which is what keeps the schedule on track.

Finding the Right Professionals

To ensure they align with your vision, check reviews, ask for recommendations, and review portfolios. Interview multiple candidates to find the right fit for your project.

Importance of Collaboration

Successful renovations are built on collaboration. That's why you need to communicate your goals clearly and be open to suggestions. Professionals can offer valuable insights you might not have considered. Communicate regularly to check if the project is on track, on budget, and aligned with your aesthetic goals.

FAQ

How Can I Make My Split-level House Look Better Outside?

One great option is to re-side one portion. You can get a more modern look without overspending by updating the siding on the taller half of your home. You can repaint the exterior and update the lower façade. You can also consider a new roof color and a new garage door.

What Is a Good Feature of a Split-level Home?

By splitting the home into different areas. It increases privacy and makes the house feel larger. One common feature of a split level is a split foyer.

How Do You Cool a Split-level House?

You can install window air conditioners in the family room, master bedroom, and one on the lower level. This way, you can control areas of the home independently and not spend a lot of money.

What Are the Advantages of a Split Level?

Split-level homes offer unique advantages. They are following

• More outdoor space
• Affordability
• Adaptability
• Improved aesthetics

However, navigating multiple staircases and potential limitations on natural light can be drawbacks.

Wrap Up on How to Update a Split-level Home Exterior

Updating the exterior of your split-level home doesn't have to be a stressful task. By focusing on key areas like paint, siding, windows, and landscaping, you can transform your home's curb appeal. You can create an inviting, modern exterior that you'll love coming home to. With the right updates, your split-level home can stand out as a beautiful, contemporary space.

Are you planning a home renovation in Florida and looking for a trustworthy construction company? Search no more, as Revolution Contractors brings expertise, experience, and satisfaction in high-end remodeling work. We make the planning and designing simple for you and provide results that are sure to upgrade your living standard. Contact us now!