Add "Curb Appeal" and Value to Your Home During National Home Improvement Month in May

Ambler, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) May 01, 2014

According to Therma-Tru and professional contractor Mark Clement, National Home Improvement Month in May is the ideal time to make improvements to the exterior of the home. By upgrading a home's curb appeal, homeowners increase the value of their house and make a positive impact on visitors.

"According to Remodeling magazine's 2014 Cost vs. Value* study, home improvement projects involving curb appeal have very strong return on investment numbers for homeowners," says Clement, co-host of MyFixitUpLife home improvement radio show. "Their research shows that in a mid-range priced home, up to 67.8 percent of the cost of a roof replacement can be recouped when selling a home.

"For the replacement of a fiberglass entry door the cost recouped is up to 70.8 percent and homeowners can expect to regain up to a whopping 78.8 percent of the cost of replacing older windows with vinyl replacement windows. These numbers show that curb appeal improvements add value to the home overall and can be considered extremely smart investments for homeowners."

Clement points out that homeowners should start each May with a "top-down" evaluation of their home's exterior products. "Begin by checking out the appearance and functionality of the roof, siding, windows, trim and doors," says Clement. "Look for products that are worn out, need repair or re-painting, or simply should be replaced. Tackling these projects in May means homeowners have more time to enjoy the results and a carefree summer."

Clement recommends the following checklist for National Home Improvement Month to make sure a home is in top condition:

1. Check the roof. Using either a ladder or binoculars from across the street, look for problem areas, such as missing or broken shingles, along with roofing tiles that may be flapping in the wind. These are all indications that a new roof may be in your future. If thats the case, research the benefits of polymer shake and slate roofing tiles. These impact- and fire-resistant tiles come in a wide variety of colors. Some roofing tiles, like those from DaVinci Roofscapes that Clement chose for his home, are sustainable and recyclable. They also have a 50-year limited warranty.

2. Clean and assess the homes siding. Environmentally-friendly detergents, scrubbing and/or pressure-washing all work well for many homes to remove dirt and algae that can grow on siding. Remember never to pressure-wash trim pieces, doors, windows or screens. The extreme high pressure could crack or destroy the caulking around the units. While cleaning the siding, make sure to check for changes in the exterior from the previous year and be alert to buckling, rotting, peeling paint or insect damage that may need to be fixed.

3. Check on the gutters. Dont underestimate the importance of the gutter system on the home. Each year homeowners should check to make sure their gutters are clean, unclogged, securely attached to the home and remain sloped for proper drainage. Plus, make sure the water running off the roof doesnt cause damage to the building structure, landscaping or property below the roof.

4. Evaluate the windows. If the windows in a home dont operate easily, theres air leaking in or out of the units, or theres condensation between the glass panes, it may be time to seriously consider replacement windows.

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Add "Curb Appeal" and Value to Your Home During National Home Improvement Month in May