How Retractable Awnings Can Add Value to Your Home
Are you one of those “Do It Yourself” enthusiasts? Does the thought of expanding your home’s visual appeal and capacity for hospitality get your creative juices flowing? Do you always have an eye open for smart ways to add to your house’s value in the competitive market? If you’ve heard about retractable awnings at all, you probably see them primarily as efficient tools for creating shade and getting the most use out of your outdoor areas. You could consider those the basic applications of residential awnings. However, they have strategic value as home improvement assets as well. Here’s a rundown on 3 big ways that they can add value to your home.
Retractable awnings make your home’s interior cooler, more open and spacious. Are there rooms in your house that get overheated by direct sunlight, places you avoid at certain times of the day? Do you frequently pull blinds to keep the temperatures down and prevent your furniture and wall paint from getting bleached out? If so, installing awnings over your windows will cut the heat gain by over 70 percent and glare by over 90 percent (study by American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers), creating an atmosphere of filtered sunlight that keeps your home inviting and comfortable at the same time.
Retractable awnings add curb appeal to your residence. This is especially true in neighborhoods where the houses are similar. As you’re probably aware, outside appearance is one of the biggest factors that influence prospective home buyers. By adding awnings to your deck, patio, doors, or garden areas, you’ll introduce a creative aesthetic that enhances your home’s existing colors and architecture.
Awnings increase energy efficiency. Aside from saving you cash on utility bills, research by the EPA show that energy efficiency also increases a house’s resale value, roughly $10-25 for every $1 saved on utilities. This is good news, since energy conservation is increasingly an issue for home owners, no matter where they live. Let’s break this down. Studies by the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association reveals that awnings can reduce inside temperatures by up to 15 degrees. This, in turn, cuts air conditioning use by 25 percent, and results in energy savings anywhere from 25 to 34 percent, depending on climate. What does this mean?
Let’s assume you spend $80 on your power bill. In this case, well-situated awnings would save you at minimum $25 a month, and $300 a year. Let’s multiply that by the low figure ($10 resale value for every $1 saved), and that’s a $3000 increase in the value of your house. You would realize these savings by installing awnings over the sun-baked windows of your house (usually east, west, and south sides), and retracting them on cold or overcast days to capitalize on natural heating.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to enhance your home’s usability and add value, you may want to explore retractable awnings further. Few DIY projects can match their stylish bang for the buck. But before you put any money down, be sure to read How to Choose Awnings.
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Tagged With decorating, energy efficiency, Home Awnings, house resale value, Retractable Awnings
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