10 Projects With Payback

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Many projects in the home are decided based on personal style or design trends. However, according to industry experts, you should look at your home as an investment, and seek out "projects with payback" that can offer long-term benefits.

"Personal taste is important, but you should always think how any changes you make on your home today will impact its resale value tomorrow," says home improvement expert Don Zeman, host of the nationally syndicated radio show, Homefront with Don Zeman. "Whether consciously or unconsciously, consumers are constantly making investments in their home. Something as simple as adding landscaping or painting a room is an investment."

According to Zeman, a former contractor with 28 years of experience, the bigger the ticket item, the more thought people usually put into the project. "Every time you spend money on your home, no matter how small or large the project, you should consider how this affects the future resale of your house," says Zeman.

"Most importantly, homeowners should plan for the replacement of key elements of their home during the time they live there. Don't wait for the roof to leak or the dishwasher to conk out. Smart homeowners make educated replacement decisions that can save them money now, while they're living in the home, and also in the long run when they go to sell the home."

Based on his experience in the home improvement industry, Zeman recommends these top ten projects that have maximum return on investment for homeowners.

Project #1 – Give the outside of your home a critical look. Do you have trim or shutters that have faded or peeling paint? If so, now's the time to improve the curb appeal of your home by replacing these eyesore items with low-maintenance exterior trim and shutters. Fypon makes products that resist fading, rot and all forms of weather. There are hundreds of synthetic pieces to complement any home style while eliminating on-going maintenance chores.

Project #2 – Tired of seeing your energy bills skyrocket every month? Then look at your windows. It's possible you're spending way too much money to heat or cool air that is escaping through old, inefficient windows. Energy-efficient glass packages with ENERGY STAR® ratings can help reduce those bills. And, windows with vinyl frames are not only easy to maintain, but also serve as good insulators to help save on energy bills.

Project #3 – Every product in the home has a life span. Evaluate your major home components, such as roofing and siding, on a yearly basis. While it may be tempting to wait until these features wear out completely, it's smarter and more cost-effective to replace aging items before they break down. When it's time to replace your roof, deck, siding or driveway, get competitive prices and try to have the work done during "off seasons" to save costs.

Project #4 – Add a touch of elegance to your home by replacing key windows in hallways, entryways and bathrooms with decorative glass windows. Available in both functional and non-functional versions, the windows come in a variety of styles that allow sunlight into the home while protecting your privacy. Often called "jewelry for the home," triple-glazed decorative glass windows feature combinations of bevel, glue chip and other decorative glasses pieces to create stunning designs.

Project #5 – Special nooks and crannies. That's what everyone wants in a home. A quiet area to enjoy at the end of the day or a special spot for a morning cup of coffee. Add a small breakfast room or sunroom to your home for years of enjoyment. You'll also find the same special place you create will call out to potential homebuyers in the future.

Project #6 – Add space and character to your home by installing a garden window. This unique window literally sticks out of the house creating the ideal spot to grow herbs, serve as a sunny spot for a cat and to bring more light into the home. Available from Simonton Windows, garden windows feature two easy-opening side casement windows and a glass shelf to maximize space in the window.

Project #7 – What says "welcome to my home" more than a front porch? According to many homebuyers, a front porch is one of the most important curb appeal elements of the home. If your porch needs a facelift, consider using synthetic products that are structurally-reinforced. These pieces can save endless time on maintenance and provide a fresh, clean look to the front of your home.

Project #8 – If your home has a cramped, old shower stall that's out-of-date and hard to clean, consider replacing it with a contemporary acrylic block shower surround. Available from Hy-Lite in flat wall panels and in radius walls, these walk-in shower surrounds are made of sturdy acrylic blocks that provide privacy while allowing light into the shower. The no-threshold shower eliminates trip hazards and shower access easy. And, a specially-developed caulk between the blocks resists mold and mildew, making the new shower a low-maintenance product in the home.

Project #9 – Save on water bills while helping the environment by replacing old toilets in the home with high-efficiency toilets. An average home can save 4,000 gallons of water a year by installing WaterSense rated high-efficiency toilets. These toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush and can pay for themselves in just a few years. Ask your local water company about rebates offered to homeowners installing these water-efficient toilets.

Project #10 – If you're like most people, your master bathroom is your retreat within the home. Privacy is critical in this area of the home, so make sure to invest in an acrylic block fixed window for over the bathtub. Surround the obscure block window with water-resistant decorative urethane trim and you've transformed the bathroom into a low-maintenance oasis in the home.

For more home product and project ideas, visit www.homefront.com.