18 MARCH 9, 2017 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM AT HOME Exterior home improvements yield higher ROI for less money Renovation season is approaching. Do you know what home improvements will give you the best return for your money? Here’s a hint: step outside. You might assume upgrades to interior spaces like kitchens and bathrooms have the best payoff , but most home improvements don’t return 100 percent of their value at the time of resale. Those that yield the best return on investment for the most modest costs are generally exterior improvements. OUTSIDE THE BOX Interior projects like a minor kitchen renovation or bathroom upgrade return a decent percentage of your initial investment when you sell your home – about 80 percent and 65 percent, respectively, according to Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value report. However, they can also cost tens of thousands of dollars. By contrast, exterior projects like adding a deck or replacing a garage door deliver similar high rates of return, but for far less cost. Adding a composite deck can cost around $17,000 and yield an ROI of more than 65 percent, while a garage door typically costs less than $2,000 and returns nearly 77 percent of your investment when you sell. In fact, six of the eight improvements with the best ROI on Remodeling’s report were exterior projects, and their average payback was nearly 75 percent. TOP EXTERIOR PROJECTS Here are popular exterior projects that off er high ROI, according to the Cost vs. Value report: • Roof replacement – A midrange roof replacement costs approximately $20,000 and returns nearly 69 percent of the investment. What’s more, a new roof helps protect your entire home from weather damage and can improve curb appeal. • Composite deck addition – Costs vary, but Remodeling bases its evaluation of ROI on a cost of about $17,000. At that price, adding a composite deck delivers ROI of 65.2 percent. Of course, the value of your deck will depend on many factors, including the quality of the building products you choose. Capped board composites, like Envision Decking by TAMKO Building Products, are gaining popularity. Envision Inspiration, the latest in the TAMKO collection, was introduced in late 2016, and features striking color patterns for a visual eff ect that’s as appealing as the fi nancial ROI of composite decking. • Siding replacement – Another exterior feature that protects the whole home and greatly aff ects its curb appeal, new siding can cost around $14,500. When you sell your home, that new siding will recoup about 76 percent of your initial investment. • Garage door replacement – Older garage doors may lack modern insulating qualities and a shabby looking door can drag down the look of your home. Replacing the garage door costs roughly $1,700 and returns nearly 77 percent of that amount at the time of resale. • Steel entry door – The single exterior home improvement with the greatest ROI is also one of the cheapest and easiest to do. Replacing a wooden door with a steel entry door will run you about $1,400 and you’ll recoup more than 90 percent of that cost when you sell your home. Courtesy BPT Tackle your DIY projects with these 3 multipurpose tools DIY projects are surging in popularity right now and it’s easy to see why. A successful DIY project can fi x a problem or make a much-needed improvement to your home, while also providing you with the satisfaction of a job well done. Best of all, it allows you to save money over hiring a professional contractor to do the work. But is it possible to conquer several DIY projects in a short period of time? Sure, you just need the right multipurpose tools for the job. Below are three tools you can pick up at any hardware store, and each will allow you to tackle a slew of projects with just one purchase, making each tool the perfect project time saver. Add these three multipurpose tools to your lineup today: MULTIPURPOSE TOOL 1: STAIN A staining project is an easy, cost-eff ective way to completely recreate a look in your home. You may purchase one color of stain or several, depending on how many staining projects you plan to do and the proximity of your projects in your home. When you purchase your stain, you can use it to: • Stain your front door. Your front door is a focal point in your home and staining it gives the face of your home a completely new look. • Stain your wood fl oors. Darker floors are growing in popularity and a fresh coat of stain can give your home that look without an expensive replacement. • Stain a table or other piece of furniture. Whether you want it to be an accent piece in your room or you’d like it to match your new décor, a fresh coat of stain saves you from having to replace a cherished piece. MULTIPURPOSE TOOL 2: BLACK INSULATING FOAM SEALANT Sealing the gaps and cracks around your home will save you money by making your home more energy effi - cient, while also increasing your home’s comfort. In fact, one can of GREAT STUFF(TM) has a multitude of uses in and around the home, including: • Seal gaps and cracks around attic doors. This will prevent your home’s heat from escaping during the winter and will better control the temperature in your home. • Seal areas around vents and duct work. In addition to helping better regulate the temperature in your home, these projects can also ward off pests and vermin that are looking for warmer temperatures inside. • Tack l e other jobs as well. The capabilities of GREAT STUFF™ Multipurpose Black Insulating Foam Sealant apply to projects outside the home as well, so whether you have a project in mind or one arises along your journey, it’s always handy to have a can on hand. MULTIPURPOSE TOOL 3: DEGREASER If you have a heavy duty cleaning project to tackle in your home, a good degreaser can help. Degreasers dissolve water-insoluble substances and they can help you: • Clean stainless steel and appliances. Grease and oil collect naturally in any kitchen and their particles can linger on kitchen equipment. Applying degreaser can remove them quickly and cleanly. • Remove adhesives. Whether the sticker was supposed to go there, it was an accident or the subject of child’s whim, applying degreaser can clean the spot good as new. • Eliminate heavy buildup around bike chains and engine parts. Buildup is a natural product of use, but it also jeopardizes effi ciency. Apply degreaser to these areas to have your favorite objects running like new. Courtesy BPT
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