If you’re looking to increase your home’s value in the current economy and real estate market, consider some key home remodeling improvements. In an October 2011 national survey of homeowners and renters, 30 percent of those surveyed said a home remodel was done with the main goal of increasing their home’s value.

Of course, not all home renovations and remodels reflect an increase in home value. Three remodeling projects that have continually proved to be successful investments are the replacement of old siding, windows and roofing.

Replacing Home Siding

Replacing the siding on the outside of our home is an excellent way to add value to your home without committing to anything too complicated or timely. New siding is a great way to increase your home’s curb appeal, and make a better first impression for any potential buyers.

But good looks aren’t the only reason why more homeowners are opting to replace exterior siding. Your home’s walls are a big culprit of energy loss, and could be causing you more in heating and cooling costs than necessary. Drafts caused by air leaks in your exterior may also be causing you and your family to feel less comfortable in your home. You can remedy both of these, and increase your home’s value, by opting to install more energy-efficient and better insulated siding.

Upgrading Older Windows
Old windows, especially those that are 15 years are older, are often built from single-pane glass. Single-pane glass isn’t energy-efficient, and it’s prone to freezing open or shut. When frost develops on the interior side of the pane, windows can even crack or break, causing home damage and huge homeowner headaches in the middle of winter. Older windows also are incapable of good sound reduction, causing unnecessarily loud noises to reverberate through your home. Additionally, windows installed during traditional home construction can account for as much as 35 to 40 percent of a building’s heat loss during the winter, and an even greater percentage of heat gain during the summer. This leads to exorbitant utility bills that no one wants to pay. An excellent remedy for all of this is to replace your windows in your next home remodeling project.

Today’s market offers a multitude of energy-efficient windows for homeowners. Not only can you opt for the more efficient dual-pane, but many window manufacturers are using technologies such as Low-E coatings and gas fills to further improve energy and sound insulation. Low-E, or low-emissivity, coatings allow the glass to better reflect heat rather than absorb it. Gas fills are used between glass layers to further improve insulation and slow down the rate of heat transfer between your home’s interior and exterior.

Installing a New Roof or Upgrading the Old

Your home’s roof is like the frosting on the cake when it comes to attracting potential buyers and enhancing your home’s value. But even more than adding extra curb appeal, a new roof can increase your home’s energy efficiency and help protect your the whole structure when inclement weather arises. Most homeowners think they can put off installing a new roof until after their current one shows leaking or other problems, but waiting too long can cause expensive damage to your attic and exterior.

You can call a professional to inspect your roof, but it’s generally wise, even if only a part of your roof is showing signs of damage or wear, to consider having the whole roof replaced. This is because you’ll already have the crew on-site with their equipment. It’s better to have it replaced in one setting than pay extra for the remainder of your roof down the line.

According to a Remodeling Magazine 2013 Report, installing a new roof can increase your home’s resale value by an average of almost $12,000. You’ll also appreciate greater home safety through improved structural integrity and increased energy savings