(ARA) – The early heroes of the do-it-yourself movement advocated some simple products and techniques. But home improvement by homeowners has evolved. Plaid flannel shirts are pass, it seems. Innovative, high-tech ways to add curb appeal are the hottest new trend in the world of do-it-yourself.

Here are some cutting-edge innovative products homeowners are using to boost curb appeal:

Caulk that Lasts as Long as Your Home

If you count the areas of your home where you use some kind of caulk or sealant, you’ll run out of fingers and toes long before you finish your tally. From crumbling stoops, cracked foundations, stone walls and patios to chimneys, windows and doors, caulk is used in some of the most important spots inside and outside of your home. Until now, however, keeping your caulk in shape meant scraping and redoing the whole deal every few years.

Enter the next generation of caulk products. Incredibly strong products like Red Devil’s King Kaulk (www.reddevil.com) function as adhesive, caulk and sealant all in one. With a lifetime durability guarantee, the product can be painted, resists mildew and provides a watertight seal without the smell or mess of silicone.

Windows Without A View Of You and Your Family

Whether you’re improving to sell or enhancing your lifestyle, privacy has become a bigger issue thanks to smaller lot sizes and larger homes. Acrylic block windows are enjoying renewed popularity as a privacy solution. U S Block Windows (www.usblockwindows.com) says their acrylic block windows can be cut to any size to fit any window opening without damaging your home’s exterior. The windows are a design enhancement that allow natural light in and keep prying eyes out. With Energy Star options, they are easy to install as replacements or shutters in vinyl or aluminum frames with all the beauty of glass block.

A Garden Hose Solution that Won’t Leave You Cranked Up

What’s the point in investing time and money into your landscaping if an untidy clump of garden hose is going to detract from the scenery? Homeowners are solving the perennial problem of what to do with the garden hose by turning to products like the No Crank Hose Reel (www.no-crank.com). Unlike traditional reels, this product relies on water-power (no batteries, electricity or springs required), not elbow grease, to automatically wind up to 150 feet of garden hose onto a spool — hands free at a flip of a lever. What’s more, some NO-CRANK models also self-clean the hose, so the next time you use it you’re not handling last week’s dirt.

To Mow or Not to Mow?

Mowing the lawn has always been the quintessential badge of the do it yourselfer. Even the least handy among us are capable of mowing the lawn. Now, however, you don’t have to choose between doing it yourself or paying someone else. There’s a third option.

Robomow (www.friendlyrobtics.com) succeeds with the same philosophy that has made robot vacuum cleaners such a hit with homeowners: Why do it yourself when you can have a robot do it for you automatically? Robomow uses a proprietary technology to mow the grass perfectly every time while the homeowner relaxes. Getting started is as simple as laying some wire and pegs (included with the Robomow) around the outer edges of the lawn. The device recognizes the wire and makes sure it always stays inside the designated area. Grass is cut in a cross-hatch pattern and clippings are automatically mulched. The mower is also programmable so you can even leave it out in the yard, and preset it to mow on a specific day and time.

Courtesy of ARAcontent