If you want to make a smart home improvement, new energy efficient windows, vinyl siding, and a new roof are the way to go. Not only will you get a good ROI, or return in investment, both of these improvements will dramatically up your curb appeal.
Over the years, vinyl siding has gained in popularity and is now found on about 30 percent of homes. Today’s product is far different than your parents siding. It lasts for years and years and withstands most weather conditions. It also won’t fade. The beauty is that it is so easy to maintain and doesn’t need to be repainted.
In addition to improving the look of your home, installing vinyl sidingbenefits your budget. Because it requires little maintenance, you can save on costly repairs and upkeep. Vinyl is also substantially less expensive than other types of exterior siding materials. It acts as added insulation for the house as well, so it can boost energy efficiency and save you money in the long run.
If you have old, leaky windows, you absolutely can’t afford not to replace them. Sure, replacing your inefficient windows with new Energy Star approved windows is an investment. Keep in mind that it is hands down, one of the smartest home improvements you can make. Did you know that research shows that replacing your windows with new, energy efficient replacement windows will give you an ROI, (return on investment) of 80-90%? Plus, replacing them with new Energy Star approved windows will save you a lot of money on your heating and cooling bills.
Now let’s talk about your old roof. Local realtors say residential roofing can be a huge deal breaker when trying to sell your home. Many are even investing in metal roofing because it lasts three times as long and is by far the most durable. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and can show you why investing in your roof can drastically increase the resale value of your home.
When it comes to residential roofing, there is a lot to keep in mind. There are various types of roofing shingles available for your home. Some better than others. Let’s talk about the most popular option, asphalt.
Asphalt shingles come in many styles and price point and are appropriate for any climate, wind-resistant and easy to maintain. The basic asphalt shingle is a 3-tab shingle; it’s available in many colors, but offers no textural interest. The other main issue with asphalt is that it doesn’t last forever. It will need to be replaced after 15 or so years.
Another option that is definitely picking up steam in the residential arena is metal. If you truly want a worry free roof that will withstand any weather condition, metal is for you. Metal Roofing is no longer just for commercial buildings, but is available as a panel or shingle for residential roofs . Shingles are made to look like other materials and panels provide clean lines which are suitable on a farmhouse and on urban applications.
Metal roofs offer durability and are ideal for areas with harsh weather conditions. It is resistant to fire, hail, moisture and fungal growth and is very low-maintenance. It is fully recyclable and can be made of recycled materials. Local realtors say, buyers love when they see metal because they know that means they won’t have to give the roof any attention. Erie Construction, of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to show you why metal is the last roof you’ll ever need.
Before you start house hunting , home improvement experts say you really need to understand what exterior style of home you love. Knowing this, will definitely help you when it comes time to purchase your next home. No matter what style appeals to you, make sure the home is an energy efficient home. If not, plan on shelling out big bucks on heating and cooling bills. Two big areas to watch for are updated windows and a newer roof. There are many styles to choose from.
First up, the Colonial. Some of the first homes were built by English colonists. They feature a step roof line; wood clapboard siding or wood shingled siding and multi pane double hung windows.
The Cape Cod is definitely a favorite of many. The Georgian Colonial is the one that is most common today. They have a very rectangular, symmetrical and formal style to them. Typically, they are made of brick, but up north, wood siding is popular.
Bungalows are also popular. They have one and half stories, low pitched roofs and a horizontal shape. They’re known for having an extremely efficient floor plan.
Ranch styles became *the* style around 1945 when World War 11 ended and the soldiers came home. Developers bought huge tracts of land because soldiers needed homes. They built them very simplistically and very affordable.
If none of these styles work for you, you may want to take a look at modern contemporary homes. Or “neo-eclectic” homes. These are large homes that borrow styles from many different styles of homes. No matter which style of home you pick, choosing an energy efficient home is always an appealing style. Look for an energy efficient roof. Many homeowners are even going metal, and choosing a metal roof. They last three times as long as a traditional asphalt roof, and they are known for being green and extremely energy efficient. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to come out and show you why metal will save you energy dollars!
What most residential homeowners want out of a roof is one that will not only last a long time, but won’t cost an arm and a leg to install. Most roofs are replaced, or at least repaired, every ten years. By carefully choosing your residential roofing material, you can help reduce the cost of replacement or push it far into the future. In the long run, you’ll use less building material, fill up less landfill space with discarded material, and put less demand on our natural resources.
You can also realize environmental benefits from your choices. For example, if you select a light-colored surface or a material that doesn’t absorb heat from the sun, you significantly reduce your home’s cooling needs. Remember, when your attic stays cooler, your cooling bills go down.
If you are looking for a long term roofing option, you should consider a metal roof. Erie Construction of Evansville is a leader in the industry and can show you why many businesses and homeowners are ditching asphalt and going metal. For starters, metal is durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free. They are also energy efficient; metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic. Coatings with high reflective values to steel sheeting increase the thermal efficiency of buildings in high temperature areas. Research shows that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners switching to metal roofing reported saving up to 20 percent on their energy bills!
If you truly want to have the sharpest house on the block you need to make sure your home exudes curb appeal. In this real estate market there is no shortage of homes for sale and that means your home better stand out. A handsome front facade ranks right up there with a solid foundation and good bones.
Local real estate experts say when buyers are out looking if they don‘t like the front of the house they will move on to the next. It‘s definitely not all about the interior. Sure, that has to be nice but the exterior is what draws the buyers in. Think about the details. Cheery blooms, a crisp white fence, and eye-catching shutters create a welcome sight for you and your family, but it also gives you curb appeal.
If you truly are after curb appeal pay attention to your walkway. Winding through garden beds or going straight to the street, a brick or stone path can make the stroll to your door look and feel like an event. Landscaping is also key. We’re not just talking about a few shrubs. Go for dimension, and variation. This adds vibrant color and multilevel focal points that create a winning first impression of your home from the sidewalk. Make sure you keep your grass mowed and edged. Lastly, residential roofing is so important when it comes to curb appeal. Nothing screams, move on, than old, faded, asphalt shingles that need to be replaced! Let Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana show you the last roof you’ll ever need. Many of our customers say, they’re house is now the envy of the block!