It always pays to be prepared. In the last few seasons of more intense natural disasters, preparedness has been especially important. While some people think of new paint colors, new furniture and decorating plans when they think of home improvements, the responsible homeowner knows that those things are just icing on the cake. The most important home improvements you can make are decisions to install safety features and reliable products that will protect you from both break-ins and natural disaster.
In areas of the country where hurricanes occur, one of the best investments you can make are storm resistant windows. The three main options to consider for hurricane resistant windows in your home are aluminum, vinyl, and wood. The highest quality impact resistant windows can withstand storm winds as high as 200 miles per hour and have advanced to the point that they have been thoroughly tested to withstand Category 5 wind conditions.
In addition to providing protection during high winds and strong rains, these windows also save energy because of their tight fitting installation. An average home can lose as much as 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy through inefficient windows. New Energy Star-qualified windows, however, have been shown to lower energy bills by 7% to 15%. Energy efficient and storm resistant windows are also investments that maintain their initial value. Replacement windows for a home typically yield as much as a 78% return on investment (ROI).
A smart homeowner in an area that experiences hurricanes and other severe weather also makes an investment in a quality door. A standard exterior entry door is 80 inches tall by 36 inches wide and almost two inches thick, but if you look beyond what is the standard you can find a door that will help protect your family and their belongings from both intruders and storms. A new steel front door, for example, has the best ROI of all home improvement projects, sometimes boasting a long-term return of 98%.
Instead of just spending your money to make decorator improvements to your home, make sure that you are also paying attention to the safety features of your house. Especially in areas known for the high winds and major rains associated with hurricane or tornado seasons, it just makes sense to invest in the professional installation of storm resistant windows and steel front doors. These improvements will keep your family and your belongings safe and provide a great return on your investment, even if you are in the path of major weather events.