There are plenty of amazing things that come with owning a home. You have complete control over things like color and decor, and can do whatever you want to your home, whenever you want. But there are some side effects to home ownership, and perhaps the worst one is responsibility. And pride. Yes, we all try to take at least a little bit of pride in our homes, and part of that is maintaining them the best we can ? and as efficiently as possible. So, without further ado, here are a few helpful tip when it comes to keeping your home looking great, while still being time- and cost-efficient.
Let?s Talk About Siding
Siding is one of those things that can very easily be subject to a home?s daily wear and tear. Luckily, there are many different house siding materials to choose from, whether you need to replace old siding or are preparing for siding installation in a new home. Before you think that siding isn?t that big a deal, know that worn siding can take away 10% of your home?s value. One of the best house siding materials available is vinyl; it?s low maintenance, doesn?t require painting, and is time-efficient to install. It also has a lifespan of up to 40 years, making it one of the most durable house siding materials on the market. Other siding options include composite siding, which is much more economical than hardwood siding, though it looks similar as it is made of fiber cement.
Roofing Materials: What To Consider
It?s estimated that the roofing industry generates $46 billion of revenue in the United State annually. We all know that much of that revenue comes from homeowners who?ve finally admitted that they need a roof repair, or even a roof replacement. When looking into roofing materials, you may want to consider less traditional roofing, like metal roofing that reflects heat. You may even want to install solar panels that convert the sun?s heat into solar energy. But remember, don?t have a roof installed on top of an existing roof ? roofing experts report that by doing that, you cut the new roof?s lifespan by as much as 20%.
Windows: When To Replace
Sometimes it?s easy to know when to replace your windows ? it?s certainly obvious when a baseball goes through your window. Other times, it seems as if you can keep your old windows around forever. But know that when selling your home, you can recoup 73 to 77% of its original cost if your windows have been replaced. Furthermore, the single-pane windows that were installed before the 1990s are massively inefficient, which means that much of your money will be lost on heating and cooling ? not to mention the noise that they let in.
Yes, maintaining your home is a pain. But it?s a pain that we all have to go through, and if we do, we might as well get it done as easily as possible, spending as little money as possible!
