DECKS
Here in Minnesota we value our time outdoors and want to take advantage of every minute good weather has to offer. By upgrading, replacing or adding a new deck, it’s an attractive way to extend your home’s living space. With a cost between $8 and $35 per square foot, a deck is a bargain compared to a $150+ per square foot cost of a new addition.
What decking material is best? While there are benefits and considerations, but both Cedar and Composite are good options.
Cedar has a natural beauty that can be left to weather, is long lasting and durable, but does need maintenance and may split, splinter or warp.
Composite is made with recycled materials, is durable and low maintenance, splinter free and skid resistant, lasting longer than wood decks. The flip side is composite decks can run 1.5 to 3 times more expensive than cedar, can stain and fade over time.
SIDING
Looking to add value to your home or perhaps looking to sell, then start looking at your home’s siding. Is it worn, faded, cracked or damaged? This give your home poor curb appeal and gives the perception the home is not well maintained. Old worn siding can reduce your home value by up to 10% according to some appraisers.
What siding offers the best value? Both vinyl and fiber cement siding are good options.
Vinyl siding is low-cost, durable, installs easily and low maintenance. it comes in array of color and style options to suit any homeowner’s taste. Vinyl siding has gained improvements with fade-resistant finding and transferrable lifetime warranties. According to the 2015 Remodeling Impact Report, the $12,000 national median cost of a vinyl siding replacement project returns upwards of 83% should you decide your home.
Fiber cement also shows a high ROI of 79% according to the 2015 Remodeling Impact Report. Even with its national median cost of $19,100, making it a pricier option, it still provides the perception of quality — something vinyl still lacks.
Quality does matter. It’s one of the most important traits home buyers look for when shopping for a home, according to a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey. 100% of homeowners reported in the survey they were happy with the result of their fiber cement siding replacement project.
What’s on Your Home Improvement List? To get your projects off right, consider consulting with an home exteriors expert, like Xtreme Exteriors first. We can help you select beautiful, affordable home exteriors solutions that add value and quality to your home.
Thanks for the great share! I also like the idea of Effective Home Improvement Projects. The best part I like is this: The reliability and availability of modern energy sources cause people to tend to assume that it will always be accessible. And as for the case of non-renewable energy sources, most people do not know or maybe even refuse to accept that it will eventually run out.
We do too! We also like home improvement projects that make a home more energy efficient. People get nervous about the up-front cost in making their homes energy efficient, knowing it will be some time before they realize the cost savings for heating and cooling their homes, but ultimately it increases the value of their home at at the same time good for the environment. Our current sources of energy and materials won’t last forever, so it great having alternative, renewable, reusable resources to offer customers for their home exteriors projects.
Adding a deck is a great way to add outside space. A decorative patio at the bottom of the deck is another way to expand your outside living. It allows for outdoor socializing and social distancing especially during the current pandemic.