A Harvard University study estimates that Americans spend an average of $160 billion for home remodeling projects each year. A year ago, many remodeling jobs returned 80 percent of their cost or more when the owner sold the house, but those numbers are changing.

Some of the most profitable renovations, such as an upscale vinyl residing, actually paid off more – 103.6 percent – more than they cost. In the Middle Atlantic States, vinyl siding replacement returns 92.3 percent of its cost, well above the national average of 87.2 percent, while in the Southwest the same job returns just 80.9 percent of the cost. That makes residing your home the most profitable home renovation.

Other profitable renovations included midrange kitchen remodels, which paid off 91.7 percent, and vinyl window replacement, which paid off 89.6 percent, making it the third best remodeling investment.

The least profitable renovation – a home office remodel, which only recoups only 63.4 percent of its cost.

Trim A Seal of Indiana has been a home improvement leader and a licensed window and siding contractor in Northern Indiana since 1950. We offer vinyl siding, window replacement, entry doors, roofing, aluminum awnings and more – to help you get the most value from your home improvement dollars. Be sure to ask about our Low Price Guarantee. Call today for a free estimate on your next project 1-800-217-6355 or visit www.TrimASeal.com for more information.

Trim A Seal services the following areas:

Indiana:
Huntington, South Bend, Gary, Fort Wayne, Mishawaka, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Hammond, Munster, Merrillville, Highland, Naperville, Warsaw, Portage, Griffith, St. John, Portage, Chesterton, Hobart, Schererville, East Chicago, Leroy, Huntington, La Porte, Hebron, Granger, Munster, Notre Dame, Milford

Illinois:
Orland Park, South Chicago, Wheaton, Mt. Prospect, Calumet City, Elmhurst, Lombard, Harwood Heights, Park Ridge, Lake Forest, Palatine, Oak Park, Lisle, Hindsdale,  Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village, Westmont, Des Plaines, Skokie, Des Plains, Hillside, Prospect Heights, Oaklawn, Homewood, Hoffman Estates, Lansing, Libertyville, Homewood, Mokena, Vernan Hills, Woodridge, St. Charles, Villa Park, Bradley, North Brook

Ohio:
Cleveland, Maple Heights, Bath, Bryan, Findlay, Akron, Aurora

Safe Energy Efficient Vinyl Siding
Why is vinyl siding considered a “green” building product? There are a number of factors that make vinyl siding an eco-friendly choice. For one, the materials used to make modern vinyl siding are more environmentally friendly and healthier to the environment. Also consider the fact that the manufacturing process for vinyl siding produces limited amounts of waste in comparison to other exterior siding options.

Another great benefit of insulated vinyl siding is that it can boost a home’s R-value by up to 16%, making it more energy efficient. The less energy used, and the less energy used, the better it is for our planet.

The vinyl siding Trim A Seal installs are manufactured using polyvinyl chloride or PVC. This is made from the chlorine extracted from salt, combined with the ethylene made from natural gas. Salt is one of the earth’s most abundant and sustainable compounds. Most of the natural gas that is used to manufacture the ethylene used in vinyl siding comes from domestic sources, so it does not rely on imported oil. Using domestic products rather than those imported internationally cuts down substantially on the negative effects to the environment.

Vinyl Siding’s Eco-Friendly Benefits:
• Vinyl siding has been shown to consume less than half of the energy during manufacturing as compared to what is required during the manufacturing of brick and mortar.
• Vinyl siding has also been shown to emit significantly lower levels of toxic chemicals, such as mercury and silver, into the environment than other exterior home siding products do and its completely lead free.
• Because vinyl siding is lighter in weight than almost any other siding option, the transportation costs and the amount of energy consumed to transport the materials are lower
• There is minimal waste produced during the installation of vinyl siding in comparison with other exterior siding options. Vinyl siding waste is substantially less than that of masonry siding, such as brick or stone, and is also less than wood or stucco siding options as well. Less waste means more of the product is used as intended and doesn’t wind up in landfills, which is good for the environment.
• The materials used in vinyl siding production have also been shown to not be harmful to homeowners, installers, builders, or the general public. On the other hand, silica-based fiber cement siding can cause adverse effects on health.
• There is virtually no maintenance required to maintain vinyl siding, other than maybe an occasional cleaning with water and a bit of soap. That means no painting, staining, sealing or caulking. All of these products can emit harmful chemicals, fumes, solvents or toxins into the environment.

For more information about vinyl siding installaion for your Indiana home visit www.TrimASeal.com or call 800-271-6355 for a free vinyl siding installation estimate. We carry Alcoa, Certainteed and Variform Vinyl siding.

At Trim A Seal of Indiana, we carry a beautiful assortment of durable and attractive Varigrain Preferred and Timber Oak siding vinyl siding by Variform. Check out the assortment of vinyl siding colors by visiting our website.Visit www.Trimaseal.com for more information or call 800-217-6355 today for a free estimate.

Below are a handful of some small home improvements that will satisfy all of these factors, while giving your home a sharp look that will impress the neighbors.

1)      Replace That Old Siding

Replacing your siding is one of the most cost-effective ways you can increase the value of your home. Not only will installing the right siding ensure the protection of your home, but it will also give your house a fresh look that is sure to catch some eyes. Your siding is the first thing people see when they look at your home, and it can make or break a sale. Vinyl siding is one of the best ways to approach this project. By using vinyl, you can save money on installation and the trouble of painting your house.  Choosing this project can get you up to an 80% return on your investment

2)      Install a New Front Door

Although we walk through it virtually every time we enter or leave our home, people sometimes forget how significant a front door can be to the image of their home. The golden rule of choosing a new entry door is to make sure it matches the style of your home. Be sure not to pick something to flashy, and if you do… make sure it looks good to other people as well. This will ensure that when the time comes to sell your home, you can get up to a 104% return.

3)      Improve Your Landscaping

Landscaping your home task can prove to be a daunting and time-expensive task, so it is important to make sure that you know what you are doing. It is hard to visualize a house with new landscaping, so be sure to get many second opinions on your plans. High-quality landscaping will capture a lot of attention, and can drastically improve the beauty and elegance of your home. With a descent amount of landscaping work, you can increase the value of your home by 14%.

4)      Remodel the Kitchen

Don’t be intimidated, remodeling your kitchen can prove to be well worth the time and money if planned and executed properly. One of the main points of interest when searching for a new home is whether or not the kitchen meets a potential buyer’s desires. Choosing one improvement such as installing new flooring, a new counter top, or even re-facing the cabinets can significantly change the appearance of your kitchen and increase the value of your home. You can get up to 74% of your money back by undergoing this project.

5)      Install Energy-Efficient Windows

If you are planning on living in your home for a long time, installing energy-efficient windows can be the perfect solution. This long-term investment will not only boost the value of your home, but it will save you up to 30% on your energy bills and get you a tax credit for energy efficiency. After a while, this investment begins to pay for itself in addition to increasing your home value.

If you live in Northern Indiana or South Chicago and are looking for replacement windows, vinyl siding, gutter protection or new entry doors, please call Trim A Seal of Indiana today at 800-217-6355 for a FREE Consultation.  We’ll help you choose products that qualify for the 2011 tax credit.

Visit www.Trimaseal.com for more information on our products and tax rebates and don’t forget to ask about our Low Price Guarantee.

Check out these easy energy saving tips from Trim A Seal, Your Home Improvement Source and start saving money today on your home’s utility bills. 

Energy Saving Tips:

• Turn off all unnecessary appliances and lights. Keep them unplugged and put your computer and monitor to sleep when it’s not being used.
• In hot summer months keep window shades and drapes closed to keep your home cooler.
• Close windows at night to allow cool air in. Close the windows the next morning to keep house cooler longer without using a/c. 
• Keep traditional fireplaces closed and the dampers shut when not in use.
• Take shorter showers; cutting your shower time in half can cut your water heating costs by up to 33%.
• Start using energy saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. 

Short Term Inexpensive Fixes:  

• Install low flow showerheads, again saving on hot water expenses.
• Replace your furnace’s air filter before every heating season begins.
• A programmable thermostat can save you up to 15% on your heating bill.
• Insulate hot water pipes and ducts.
• Make sure your water heater has an insulating blanket.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps.

There are also some long term investments you can make that will help you save money all year long, by making improvements to your home. Only 20% of homes built before 1980 are efficiently insulated. Replacing your windows and siding with energy efficient windows and vinyl siding,  may reduce your heating and cooling costs significantly and pay for themselves in the long run. Right now you can take advantage of tax rebates for home owners. Last years tax rebates were extended to encourage energy-efficient home improvements.

Certain type of window and door replacements qualify for this tax credit. The incentive has been reduced to the pre-Economic Recovery Act level. Consumers can claim a credit of 10% up to $200 of the purchase price of qualifying windows, and 10% up to $500 for qualifying exterior doors. Installation costs are not included
   
If you live in Northern Indiana or South Chicago and are looking for replacement windows, vinyl siding, gutter protection or new entry doors, please call Trim A Seal of Indiana today at 800-217-6355 for a FREE Consultation.  We’ll help you choose products that qualify for the 2011 tax credit.

Visit www.Trimaseal.com for more information on our products and tax rebates and don’t forget to ask about our Low Price Guarantee.

As winter comes to an end, let Trim-A-Seal install brand new windows and siding for your home. Besides the obvious increase in crib appeal, there are several other benefits that arise when replacing aging windows and siding.

Added Value

Using high quality windows and siding from Trim-A-Seal, the value of your home will increase. This will allow you to build equity in your home, and have a greater resale value should you decide to relocate.

Reduced Work

Exterior painting, like most things, has become expensive. Using Trim-A-Seal’s vinyl siding you can eliminate the need for those costly paint jobs and allocate your funds elsewhere.

Reduced energy bills

Did you know that windows are the main source of heat lost in homes? With energy efficient windows from Trim-A-Seal, you can become more energy efficient and start saving money off those costly heating and cooling bills.

Act fast to take advantage of up to $500.00 in tax saving on the energy efficient products that Trim-A-Seal has to offer.  Call Trim-A-Seal for more information or visit us online at trimaseal.com!

When considering what type of siding to purchase, choosing an insulated siding will reduce your energy loss and save you money. Insulated Siding is the most energy efficient siding on the market. With an R-value range from 2.2 to 5.1, it can drastically reduce your heating and cooling bills year-round. That’s just the beginning. Studies show that siding projects have one of the highest returns on investment of any home improvement project, adding on average between 80% and 110% of the cost of the project to the value of your home.

Trim A Seal of Indiana installs vinyl siding in a variety of brands, styles and colors making it a practical and money saving choice for any home. Vinyl siding not only reduces your energy costs, insulates your home and adds value to your property, but it’s also virtually maintenance free. Trim A Seal carries a wide selection of Alcoa, Certainteed, Varigrain and Timberoak vinyl siding by Variform. Click Here to check out a few of our vinyl siding colors. Call today for a free estimate on your next siding project and start improving the value and efficiency of your home today.

For more information visit www.trimaseal.com or call 800-217-6355. We serve the Northern Indiana and Northeast Illinois markets including Gary, Merrilville, Crown Point, Orland Park and Southeast Chicago and others.

Safe Energy Efficient Vinyl Siding
Why is vinyl siding considered a “green” building product? There are a number of factors that make vinyl siding an eco-friendly choice. For one, the materials used to make modern vinyl siding are more environmentally friendly and healthier to the environment. Also consider the fact that the manufacturing process for vinyl siding produces limited amounts of waste in comparison to other exterior siding options.

Another great benefit of insulated vinyl siding is that it can boost a home’s R-value by up to 16%, making it more energy efficient. The less energy used, and the less energy used, the better it is for our planet.

Vinyl siding products are manufactured using polyvinyl chloride or PVC. This is made from the chlorine extracted from salt, combined with the ethylene made from natural gas. Salt is one of the earth’s most abundant and sustainable compounds. Most of the natural gas that is used to manufacture the ethylene used in vinyl siding comes from domestic sources, so it does not rely on imported oil. Using domestic products rather than those imported internationally cuts down substantially on the negative effects to the environment.

Vinyl Siding’s Eco-Friendly Benefits:

• Vinyl siding has been shown to consume less than half of the energy during manufacturing as compared to what is required during the manufacturing of brick and mortar.
• Vinyl siding has also been shown to emit significantly lower levels of toxic chemicals, such as mercury and silver, into the environment than other exterior home siding products do and its completely lead free.
• Because vinyl siding is lighter in weight than almost any other siding option, the transportation costs and the amount of energy consumed to transport the materials are lower
• There is minimal waste produced during the installation of vinyl siding in comparison with other exterior siding options. Vinyl siding waste is substantially less than that of masonry siding, such as brick or stone, and is also less than wood or stucco siding options as well. Less waste means more of the product is used as intended and doesn’t wind up in landfills, which is good for the environment.
• The materials used in vinyl siding production have also been shown to not be harmful to homeowners, installers, builders, or the general public. On the other hand, silica-based fiber cement siding can cause adverse effects on health.
•  There is virtually no maintenance required to maintain vinyl siding, other than maybe an occasional cleaning with water and a bit of soap. That means no painting, staining, sealing or caulking. All of these products can emit harmful chemicals, fumes, solvents or toxins into the environment.

For more information about vinyl siding for your Indiana home visit www.TrimASeal.com or call 800-271-6355 for a free vinyl siding installation estimate. We carryAlcoa, Certainteed and Variform Vinyl siding.

For a classic look, consider Varigrain Preferred vinyl siding with a smooth flawless looking finish available in a stylish selection of traditional and modern colors to fit every style. Choose from soothing shades like Savannah Blue, Georgian Gray, Silver Mist, Autumn Beige, Classic Cream and others.

Whether you select Timber Oak or Varigrain Preferred, all Variform vinyl siding is durable and built to last. Varigrain will never rust, blister, scratch or peel. Compared to other types of siding, vinyl is more resistant to water damage, salt, termites, and other pests.  Variform low maintenance vinyl siding will protect your home season after season and look beautiful for years to come.

When you reside your home with vinyl siding, you’ll add instant value and recoup your renovation costs more quickly compared to more expensive siding options like stone or wood. When compared side by side, vinyl costs significantly less. Vinyl siding costs an average of $92/sq. ft. compared to wood siding, costing an average of $462/sq. ft or brick which can cost $565/sq. ft. installed. Vinyl siding is faster, easier and less expensive to install, and you may qualify to receive a government tax credit for 30% of the total cost (up to $1,500) when you install energy efficient vinyl siding through December 2010.

Call today 1-800-217-6355 for a free vinyl siding estimate or visit us at www.TrimASeal.com today for more information.

In addition to these points, there are many other positive benefits from switching to Alcoa, Variform, or Certainteed vinyl siding. Homeowners have found that installing Alcoa, Certainteed, or Variform vinyl siding is an eco-friendly alternative. When compared with products such as cement with vinyl, vinyl siding leads the way in making an effort to produce a more energy-efficient home. One reason is that the home’s exterior doesn’t need to be repainted every few couple years like fiber cement siding. Because of the light weight of Certainteed, Variform, and Alcoa vinyl siding, less energy is used in transporting it vs. heavier, less fuel efficient products like cement or brick.  Also, vinyl siding is recyclable!

Another bonus when it comes to having a green, energy efficient home is that insulated vinyl siding can add 10% – 25% additional R-value to wall systems to reduce energy bills and help the earth at the same time.

Looking for a free vinyl siding estimate? Call the vinyl siding experts at Trim-A-Seal of Indiana today at 1-800-217-6355. They are standing by to answer your questions. Or visit us online at www.trimaseal.com Homeowners in Indiana have been choosing the professionals at Trim-A-Seal for over fifty years.

Trim-A-Seal of Indiana serves: Porter and Lake County Indiana, Merrillville, Gary, Crown Point, Hammond, Valparaiso, Munster, Highland, Griffith, St. John, Portage, Chesterton, Hobart, Schererville, East Chicago and New Chicago.