A 2009-10 Cost vs Value Report by Hanley Wood LLC states how insulated, low-E, vinyl windows are beneficial for mid-range houses. The report indicated an average of $10,156 in remodeling costs with a resale value of $8,355, for a mid-range house that featured vinyl windows as well as additional design touches. This translates into an 82.3% recoup rate.

Other homeowners, on the other hand, can opt for insulated vinyl windows to replace existing double-hung types. Installing these upscale windows, which feature exterior trims wrapped to match the older ones and the old interior trims, are said to cost $13,263 as well as have a resale value of $10,875, for an 82% recoup rate.

Windows are an integral part of any house as they help regulate indoor temperature, protect homes from the elements, and increase curb appeal. With many different product types available today, it is essential to find a contractor that specializes in window replacement and the nearby areas. Such a professional can help a homeowner determine which type best suits a home. They also provide energy-efficient window options that match different home styles and accentuate existing designs and architecture, with the help of their experienced and certified staff who can install these with the utmost regard for workmanship.

When redesigning and rebuilding a bathroom, home remodeling contractors use top-quality products and create custom designs that prioritize functionality and beauty. To achieve a maximum return on investment during your remodel, it is vital to hire contractors that put a premium on your design and construction requirements. Here are specific tips to help you out:

Owners of mid-range houses with 5-by-7-foot bathrooms can pattern their remodeling projects on ideas provided in Hanley Wood, LLC's 2009-10 Remodeling Cost vs Value Report, which details sample upgrades that yielded impressive returns. According to the report, to improve their bathroom's style, homeowners can look into installing ceramic tile flooring, vinyl wallpaper, a vanity counter with a solid surface and integral sink, and a recessed medicine cabinet complete with light installations.

On the other hand, owners of upscale residences can have their 35-square-foot bathrooms expanded by up to 100 square feet within the existing house layout. Fixtures would only need to be relocated, or even replaced, possibly with a 42-by-42-inch neo-angle shower, or a recessed shower. Such an upgrade will amount to $52,586 and equate to a resale value of $33,560, for a cost recoup of 63.8%.

Home improvement projects involve serious amounts of money and homeowners should find the qualified contractors who can provide cost-efficient ideas and services for an exceptional return on investment. Remodeling contractors specialize in certified home improvement solutions that may also include roofing repairs and replacements. Some also offer energy-efficient replacement windows and attic insulation.

According to a Zillow Digs Home Design Trend report, kitchen remodeling will be one of the top priority projects for 2014, and adaptability and convenience are amongst the most important factors for a successful kitchen design. Here are some kitchen design trends that will surely be popular this 2014:

Black Counters

For 2014, it is predicted that homeowners will want to add more sophistication to their kitchen, and will be able to achieve this by adding black kitchen counters. In order to make this new look a success, choose materials such as black granite and quartz. These black countertops will most probably be partnered with a lighter counter like light gray to make it contrast.

Advanced Technology

State-of-the-art appliances have become very popular in kitchens. Such appliances include built-in espresso machines, infrared broilers, and touch-activated faucets, which are gaining more popularity because of the convenience they provide. Appliance finishes that match with the cabinetry are also gaining popularity.

Open Shelves and Glass-front Cabinets

Since the kitchen is one place where family and friends gather, an increasingly popular trend is the displaying of kitchen wares. This is because presentation is becoming more and more trendy for homeowners, hence why they'll choose to display all kinds of kitchen odds and ends, from dishes and pots to vinegars and gourmet oils.

Metal as a roofing material is a great choice. Among the many advantages that metal has to offer are durability, timelessness, and energy-efficiency. Allow us to elaborate on each of those points in the following paragraphs.

Metal is considered to be a durable building material because of its considerable resistance against the elements which are capable of causing damage to it. In particular, damages that take the form of chips, cracks, peelings, or perforations rarely cause stress to the homeowner, whose private space is topped by a metal roof. Additionally, such roofing material does not require costly replacements after just a few years, saving a substantial amount of money for the homeowner.

Also, steel roofs are classic in terms of appearance. This allows it to blend well with a wide variety of design styles. Its timeless appeal similarly permits the homeowner to keep it for as long as it can serve its purpose.

Furthermore, metal as a building material for the roof also supports a homeowner's goal of achieving an energy-efficient structure. More to the point, it helps in maintaining comfortable living conditions by decreasing the amount of heat experiences in those areas tucked into the roof. The homeowner, therefore, is able to enjoy living comfortably while cutting down on electricity bills at the same time.

In Baltimore, the coldest temperature on record is -7 degrees, which last happened on January 22, 1984. Thus far, there are no signs to indicate that 2013 will break that record. Regardless, locals will have the advantage if they make an effort to prepare for below-freezing temperatures, and with impacts of climate change these days, people can never really tell when those preparation efforts will come in handy.

One thing that locals can do to be winter-ready is to have energy-efficient windows in their homes; otherwise, they can expect to rack up huge energy bills. However, the term usually results in confusion for some people since they think that energy-efficiency merely depends on how the window protects them from the outside elements. Only a few people are aware that choosing energy-efficient windows should also be based on whether they live in cold-climate cities like Baltimore.

Homeowners should take into account the windows' U-value when they are buying energy-efficient windows, and this refers to the flow of heat through the windows, and the lower the windows' U-value, the better their insulating abilities are. In warm climates, the windows' Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is the more important consideration since this determines how well the windows block out the sun. Homeowners should also look into low-emissivity coatings in their new windows as these can prevent heat loss in cold-climate cities like Baltimore.

You have finally decided to remodel your bathroom for your comfort, as well as a higher home value should you decide to sell it. You start browsing through available options that can make your bathrooms look and perform better, and one of the things you consider is the bathtub.

There are a lot of bathtub materials out there in the market that promises great comfort and value for your money. One of the leading materials out there that you should consider buying has to be acrylic. This plastic is popular among American households for several reasons:

Heat retention

Cast iron and porcelain-coated steel bathtubs tend to get cold quickly, which does not make for a pleasurable bathing experience. Acrylics don’t get cold as quickly as other materials, and help keep the water warm for a long period of time, allowing you to have some time to enjoy the water.

Easy to clean

Acrylic is nonporous, therefore dirt, grime, and mildew that one can commonly find in other bathtubs are almost impossible to find in an acrylic bathtub. Its low maintenance properties are highlighted further by its easy cleaning process: a spray of cleaner and a few wipes from a trusty rag.

Easy installation

Acrylic is extremely easy to install, which makes it a popular option for new construction projects and remodeling work. If the acrylic bathtub is properly installed and supported, it can serve the bathroom for a very long time.

The kitchen is the heart of the house, the place where you cook delicious meals for the people most important to you. It's not surprising that kitchen remodeling is one of the top home improvement projects for many Washington, DC residents. Aside from better home aesthetics, kitchen remodeling also offers the following benefits:

Great return on investment

If you're selling your home, one of the first areas that buyers will look at is the kitchen. They'll be visualizing themselves cooking for guests and entertaining them in your kitchen, so you definitely want it to make a good impression. What's more, remodeled kitchens offer a healthy 66% on your investment.

Your kids will thank you for it

An outdated kitchen can be a potential hazard to very young children. For example: if your counter has sharp edges, they can cut your kids whenever they bump into them. On a lighter note, expanding your kitchen might be necessary if you're planning to have more kids, as this means larger meals for your family.

Think of the energy savings

Buying an Energy Star-certified refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher can translate into big savings for homeowners. You might also add a skylight to increase natural lighting in the kitchen, further lowering your electricity bills.

Roofs are basically differentiated by their type of material and the techniques used to make them. Moreover, they have varying levels of durability. How long a roof will last depends on several factors. Some of these factors are beyond anyone's control, while the others may be managed to a certain extent.

Climate and the environment, for instance, can influence the sturdiness and longevity of your roof. The elements can cause minor and even major damage to it. However, these are examples of factors that are beyond anyone's ability to manage. The wrath of snow, hail, rain, wind, or the sun is not something which we can completely avoid.

A factor we have some sort of control over is proper roof maintenance, or the lack thereof. We can extend the life of our roof by taking good care of it. We can do that by checking for problems every so often and addressing minor flaws before they progress into something worse.

To a certain extent, though, materials and construction techniques can also have an impact on the durability of the protective covering above your head. Certain materials can better withstand damaging elements than others. As for construction, it's largely the quality of workmanship that makes a difference.

When a new house is constructed, the builders usually make sure that the materials used, as well as the workmanship provided, will allow most of the entire home's parts to last for a very long time. However, not every home is made by contractors who take pride in their work. As such, some homeowners find themselves eventually having to replace siding, roofing, doors, or windows that have deteriorated.

When scouting for new windows, one of the more important questions that need to be addressed is how much they cost. When doing an upgrade, one should keep in mind that the purpose of the entire exercise is to increase the value of the home. Therefore, one should expect prices of new windows to be high.

New home windows are an investment. One shouldn't decline the opportunity to choose among the best samples in a showroom because one feels they fall out of one's budget range. The trick to not becoming so budget-conscious is to not immediately count out or consider a window based on its price. Learn about its features first and how these make a certain window a cut above others on the market.

Knowing that certain windows are more expensive actually makes people biased for them, too. Do you sometimes find yourself partial to more expensive windows? Rid yourself of this crazy habit. Study the features each type of window carries, so you will be able to ascertain whether one is reasonably priced or not.

Improving your bathroom is one of the best ways to increase the resale value of your home and even make it more livable for you. Here are some tips to save time, money, and energy when remodeling your home's bathroom:

Stick to the Plan

Having a poor plan may lead to more costs in the future, which is more frequent with changes in orders. Once a project is underway in your home and you suddenly change plans, your contractor will add fees for changes in materials, adjustments in schedule, and labor. Before the project even starts, make sure you have a plan ready and that you will stick to this plan in order to control costs.

Choose the Right Products

Bathroom products are more sensitive to different hazards, which are mostly related to moisture. For example, carpets won't be a good idea for a bathroom, so choose stone or tile instead, or something that can withstand water.

Update the Lighting

Your lighting is also a part of your remodeling project. Outdated light fixtures can bring down the overall look of your bathroom, so it's important to plan it out early in order to determine whether a new cable is needed or not. It is advisable to put some lighting over the shower so that it would be brighter when bathing. It is also important to ensure that the lights are rated for the bathroom.