Exterior Design Trends

If you plan on doing a new remodel yourself or you are hiring someone else to do some of the harder projects for you and you are going to do some of the easier stuff - there are probably a lot of questions you are asking yourself. I mean, do you even need a new remodel? Is your roof outdated yet? Should you consider adding an attached garage to the exterior of the home? These are all valid questions, but you might not be able to get the right answers you are looking for. So to help you out and ease your mind, we have gathered some of the top exterior remodeling questions people ask about, and have included answers to all of your questions below. Hopefully this helps answer some of your questions and put your mind at ease. If nothing else, hopefully it will allow you to plan a better remodel that is more functional and efficient.

When Should I Get A New Roof?

This is one of the most asked exterior remodeling questions! Generally speaking, a roof such as an asphalt shingled roof lasts around 15-20 years. If you have a roof that you didn’t build or buy, you probably have no idea when or how old it is, thankfully there are signs you can look out for to figure out if it needs to be replaced or not. The first telltale sign is to look for large amounts of granules in the gutters. Another sign is to look for any leakage on the inside of your home. If you have leakage or shingles are missing it might be time to get a new roof, or in the least, have someone come and take a look at it.

Foggy Windows Between the Panes

of Glass

Honestly, there are quite a few reasons you might be seeing "fog" or condensation between the panes

of your glass. This happens when there

is a buildup of condensation between the glass

panes usually because of something like a broken seal. Unfortunately, the only way you can get rid of or fix something like this is to actually get replacement windows, make sure that the windows are of a quality brand name, that they are installed by a professional, and that they come with a lifetime warranty.

Do I Know I Need New Siding?

Another tricky question! Siding can usually last about as long as the roof on your home.

But, if you don’t know how long the siding has been on the house, it might be a good idea to start looking for telltale signs. This includes; severe weather damage from rain, snow or sleet - even wind can damage your siding, cracking boards, splitting boards or boards that are missing can also be a sign that you need new siding. Swollen or pushed out boards, peeling paint and chalky film residue on the boards is also a sign.

Best Home Improvement Projects

If you have a house, especially one that you plan to sell and you want the MOST ROI (return on investment) there are a few projects you should consider when it comes to what your budget allows for. These three projects include vinyl siding, a wood deck, and wood window replacements. Below, you will see a little bit more about these projects as well as the cost and the value at resale.

- Vinyl Siding: Vinyl is popular because of the material functionality as well as durability. This is a material that is affordable, easy to install and it’s also very lightweight - this also means that you COULD install it yourself if you have enough experience, which also means it can cut down on labor costs! Vinyl siding comes in various colors, looks and styles. This is a material where if you buy it from a

quality manufacture and stay with the upkeep, the siding can last up to 30 years! The cost for installing vinyl siding can be around $11,000. The resale value can add on $8,000. Percent of investment recouped = 72%.

- Wood Decking: This to me is a very important project. As a home owner, this is one of those features I was looking for when I purchased my own house. And many other potential buyers will also be looking for this feature as well. Not only is this a great way to increase your outdoor living space, but it’s a great way to enjoy some quality time outside - you can entertain, relax, have BBQs, etc. Pressure treated lumber can be used for a DIY project and will cost at least 50% less than if a professional came in and did it for you. But, if you want a professional, it will be worth it because it will be done right

the first time around! The national cost of a professional built wood deck costs about $9,000. The value at resale is $7,000. The percent of investment recouped = 77%

- Wood Replacement Windows: If you have older windows, you probably have a few leaks, and perhaps a few issues with keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If that’s the case, then you might want to start looking into wood window replacements as a remodeling project. The national for installing these types of windows is $10,000 for 10 replacement windows. The resale value is $7,000 so the percent of investment recouped is 73%.