Upgrading Your Home’s Curb Appeal & Energy Efficiency
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement quandaries addressed by calling or texting 651-461-9226. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 9.4.21.
With the current state of the real estate market, many homeowners are opting to make updates to their home rather than relocate. Siding and window installation prove to be popular improvements because they improve a home’s curb appeal and energy efficiency. For this reason, these two home improvements tend to have on investment as high as 70% right after the work is completed. For the Midwest, where water infiltration is a major concern, homeowners can experience the ultimate peace of mind when they opt to have metal or LP® SmartSide® siding installed on their home by an experienced contractor. LP® SmartSide has factories in Tomahawk, WI, and Two Harbors, MN. It comes with a variety of finishes including Diamond Kote® and ExpertFinish®.
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Garage doors also are experiencing a high return on investment rates from 84%-92% right after the work is completed. Garage doors also play a significant role in the exterior appearance of a home. Selecting the right garage door can also increase a home’s energy efficiency, especially when a garage is heated. Another area of the garage that deserves careful consideration is the floor coatings. Two popular options are epoxy and polyurea. In terms of finishing options, polyurea offers more. It can even be made to imitate the look of marble, have swirls, and use multiple colors. Epoxy, on the other hand, just offers a base coat and fleck color options. It also tends to bond better than epoxy. However, if the proper prep work is done to the floor, epoxy and polyurea can both last a long time. Many floor coating contractors prefer polyurea over epoxy because they experience fewer warranty claims.

An area of the home that has a dramatic effect on its energy efficiency is the attic. Frost formation within the attic occurs when warm moist air from a home enters the attic. This issue should be addressed swiftly to avoid damage to a home’s insulation, which will compromise a home’s energy efficiency. Wood rot can also occur. A reputable insulation contractor using diagnostic tools can often suggest appropriate insulation and ventilation, and bath fan solutions. Many times, quality insulation contractors also want to examine a home’s basement to see if the rims need to be sealed. Without this, cold exterior air can be introduced to a home, which can change its interior air pressure. Air pressure issues can often be recognized as drafts around windows and outlets.
Listen to the Entire Episode Here: