When it comes to home improvement or home renovation, most homeowners would focus on the major renovation and would overlook other things that might have a profound effect later on once the project is completed. With that said, one of the most overlooked home improvements is choosing the material for the windows of the house. There are many varieties of materials used for windows such as wood, fiber, aluminium and the popular vinyl. All of the said materials have their benefits as well as disadvantages and today we would be discussing the pros and cons of having vinyl as the main material for the window construction.

During renovation or even before one renovate their home, it is best to check out one’s windows from time to time to decide if it needs replacement. Now, most windows would need to be replaced when the external environment causes one to have a difficulty in closing and opening the window. This happens when frost and condensation freezes the window and in some instances can cause it to break as well. Old homes are also susceptible as the seals become loose and the frame and sash might weaken and the home is losing energy in the process.

Vinyl Benefits

One of the best things about using vinyl is that it is much more affordable than other materials and can be favorable to budget conscious homeowners. The use of vinyl has been around as early as the 70’s and became popular not only because it is cheaper but because it requires less maintenance. It is also a non-conductive material meaning that during summer months, the material deters heat from coming inside the home and the cold during winter months thus making for more energy-efficient homes.

For those who are not handy with interior and exterior painting or want to cut the cost of buying paints, installing vinyl as window frames would not need any painting activities done. Additionally, the material holds for more years than other materials such as wood so longevity is not a problem here.

Vinyl Disadvantages

As with any other materials, vinyl can be a problem for those who want a more aesthetically pleasing look to their home. As the material is not paintable, the white color stands in contrast to the other parts of the room and can be ugly for some. For those who are planning to resell their homes in the foreseeable future, vinyl might lower the real estate value of the property as most buyers would want a cosy home that is, windows with wood frames.

With that said, having a vinyl window can be a practical and logical choice for those who are more interested in savings as the material can be energy-efficient and as it is easier to keep up and comes in many colors and styles, it is the best option for the modern homemaker.

Perhaps the most common use of home equity is to upgrade or improve the existing property. A large portion of homeowners gain access to their property’s increased value through the use of home equity loans or lines of credit. However, another, less common, method is a total refinance for an amount that includes the required equity.

One Monthly Payment

Many homeowners choose a total refinance because it is much simpler than obtaining an equity loan or line of credit. Those who choose an equity loan or credit line will have two monthly payments to handle, versus the one payment for the total refinance. Even further, most homeowners who obtain equity loans do not get them from their existing primary mortgage lender, meaning that they will be paying two different loan amounts to two different companies at two different times of the month.

Make Sure Your Home Improvements Increase the Value of Your House

Regardless of the type of financing used to obtain the equity, it is important that those homeowners planning to remodel or make upgrades carefully consider all the variables of their intentions prior to proceeding. Both lenders and homeowners are usually comfortable using equity to improve the property because the perception is that any upgrades will increase the value of the home. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

The borrower should consult with a qualified realtor or appraiser prior to making any upgrades or improvements to ensure that such alterations will actually result in a more valuable piece of property.