An eye-catching house is one with handsome doors and windows. And beyond the hall door, presentation is everything. If you're on the point of selling, smarten up your furniture and tidy up - a job made easier if you've already got smart storage.

Curb appeal can never be underestimated, especially when it comes to windows and doors - the finishing touches to any house. Not only will shoddy or out-of-character windows and doors reduce the overall appeal of your home, they can actually devalue your property.

The golden rule is that replacement windows and doors should be in keeping with the architectural style of your home.

If you own a period home with timber sash windows, refurbishment won't come cheap, but it will add to the value of your home if done properly.

People are paying more and more attention to details such as windows and doors, says Simon Ensor of Sherry FitzGerald.

Replacing the windows and doors is often in the top five list for new homeowners, so it's well worth considering investing in appropriate replacements.

"If you drive down any road, the houses with aluminium windows really stand out. They just don't show a house off to its best," says Ensor.

A prized feature of any period house, sash windows must be treated with care and only undertake a renovation job if you are prepared to pay for it to be done properly.

The restoration or reproduction of sash windows is a highly skilled craft.

Expert assessment by an experienced contractor prior to any work being done is vital to assess whether the window is beyond redemption or whether repair is possible.

Ask your joiner for examples of previous restoration work; Karl Crowe of Advanced Joinery Services advises that you get references from architects, the Irish Georgian Society or other heritage organisations.

If you are considering replacing windows for a modern home, timber double glazed windows from Rationel, Dansk or Marvin are the way to go, says estate agent Daphne L Kaye.

Aside from the aesthetics, new windows will not only make a home look smarter, they greatly increase the level of comfort in the house. The trend in windows and doors, says Ann Mooney from Marvin Architectural, is composite products.

This is a combination of wood on the inside and aluminium on the outside, giving homeowners a wood product that is maintenance-free.Window company Swedex has developed a new window for the refurbishment market, which allows homeowners to install the usually larger Scandinavian-style windows in the gap left by the existing window frame without difficult or costly building works.