Adding Value to Your Home!

Many homeowners today want to increase the value of their home. When you want to sell your home, the first things that you think of are remodeling the inside and replacing the carpet. However, have you thought about adding vinyl siding to the outside of your home? Vinyl siding seals homes against water damage while making the house look great.

The cost of vinyl siding depends on the color and style that you pick. There are many colors to choose from and they will raise the value of your home. Mainly, there are blues, creams, browns, and reds. Each color will add to the value of your home, however, choosing light colors that appeal to more will help sell your home.

A darker vinyl siding color will make the house look small and unwelcoming, whereas warmer, brighter colors will make your house look larger and more welcoming. No matter how small your house may look, using a bright color will help to make it look bigger. The most popular vinyl siding colors are the light browns and creams. These colors seem to be the ones that are making houses with vinyl siding more popular to buy.

A simple spray down with a pressure washer, or a quick wash and rinse with soap and a hose will help to keep the vinyl siding looking clean and new. The nicer the siding looks and the newer it is, the more value your home will have. 

Costs for vinyl siding can vary depending on the brand, style, and color of the siding that is chosen. The most expensive form of vinyl siding these days is the new vertical siding. Vertical vinyl siding, just like horizontal siding, will help keep the home safe from water damage. Vertical siding is also easier to clean. Vinyl siding, in itself, is easy to clean and maintain.

Remember that vinyl siding doesn’t just add value to your home, it will make your home look and feel new again!

Info from: Home Addition Plus DOT Com

The Advantages of Dimensional Shingles

Dimensional (Architectural) Shingles

Dimensional shingles, also known as architectural or laminated shingles, are becoming increasingly popular. These shingles are similar to regular three tab asphalt (or composition) shingles, but have two layers of shingle material bonded together rather than a single layer. The exposure of the top layer of shingles has random notches taken out, and the bottom layer is adhered to the top layer. This gives architectural shingles a scattered, three dimensional look to the roof, with different high and low tabs. But like regular three tab, they are still topped with a layer of granules for protection against weathering, and the base mats are between two layers of stabilized asphalt.

Due to the thicker layer of material, they offer more protection from wind and hail than asphalt shingles. The heaviest grade architectural shingles can withstand winds up to 120 mph. These shingles are also very fire resistant. They have a longer lifespan, usually lasting for 40 years while manufacturer warranties can be seen anywhere from 20 to 50 years. The extra cost for these shingles is generally around 10 to 20 percent extra from that of regular asphalt shingles.

So you may have heard the rumors that architectural shingles were susceptible to mildew and algae damage just as composition shingles are. This was usually due to wet leaves or other debris building up on your roof. However, with improvements in roofing technology, architectural shingles have become algae resistant, eliminating the hassle of needing to keep your roof clean free from debris and ensuring the best performance and durability.

Pros: More attractive three dimesional appearance, durable, easily available, very wind resistant, algae and mold resistant, works on most roof types and pitches

Cons: Slightly more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles.

Info from: Home Improvement Helper DOT COM