Fresno Home - December 2022

5 outdoor upgrades that add value to a home

and perceived value. For a custom look, consider infill options like con temporary rod, mesh or glass inserts that optimize sightlines and deliver a modern flair.

3. Create an outdoor room

Another value-add upgrade to any deck or yard is a pergola. This rela tively easy addition creates the look and feel of an outdoor room with structural prominence that adds ar chitectural appeal. Today’s pergolas offer customizable shade options to provide shelter from the sun and ele ments, extending the livability of an exterior entertaining space by offer ing cool relief on hot days.

4. Enhance privacy

(BPT) - When it comes to adding val ue to a home, think outside the box. According to the 2022 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine, nine of the top 10 home improvement projects proven to deliver the highest return on investment (ROI) at resale were exterior renovations.

From the front stoop to the backyard, outdoor remodeling projects can add tremendous value by boosting curb appeal and function - factors that have a big impact on how much money prospective home buyers are willing to pay for a home. To pique the interest of potential buyers be fore they even walk through the front door, here are five eye-catching ex terior upgrades sure to pay off in the long run.

1. Upgrade your deck

Recently, outdoor living has pro pelled to the top of homeowner and homebuyer wish lists. According to Remodeling, installing a new deck can add $12,000-$15,000 to a home’s resale value equating to a ROI of 62-

65%, depending on whether the deck is built with wood or composite ma terial.

A composite deck offers long-last ing beauty and low-maintenance benefits that appeal to today’s timestretched consumers. Unlike wood, high-performance composite deck ing, such as Trex, requires minimal upkeep as it is engineered to resist fading, scratching and mold, and won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter. With no sanding, staining or paint ing required, composite decks attract homeowners looking to spend more time enjoying their outdoor spaces rather than maintaining them.

2. Replace railings

One of the most visible aspects of a deck, railing is often the first thing prospective buyers notice and has the power to set the tone for an entire outdoor space. If the existing railing is beginning to show signs of wear, replacing it with something new and modern can give a deck an instant facelift that will boost curb appeal

The past few years have left us crav ing safety and serenity. Thus, privacy is more important than ever. To en hance the sense of seclusion in an outdoor space, incorporate decora tive privacy screens. Made of sturdy, low-maintenance materials, panels are offered in both permanent and moveable options, are available in multiple patterns and colors to com plement the aesthetic of any outdoor setting, and are ideal for enhancing privacy around decks, patios and pools.

5. Highlight the home with outdoor lighting

Landscape, string, railing and deck lighting are simple and cost-effec tive upgrades that can highlight the eye-catching features of a home’s ex terior after the sun goes down. Out door lighting can also add value as a wayfinding tool to enhance the safety of an outdoor space and extend the amount of time homeowners are able to spend enjoying the outdoors after dark. For easy, DIY-friendly assembly, look for plug-and-play components that are durable and waterproof.

Stock photo and article provided by Brandpoint. © 2022 Brandpoint - All Rights Reserved.

5 gift ideas that save energy (and do a world of good)

but also makes a difference for the climate.

To inspire you, here are a few holiday shopping list ideas:

Cool savings on the hottest elec tronic devices: Did you know the average house hold owns 24 consumer elec tronics products? The more you invest in items designed to save energy, the more the savings will rack up. That has become even more important these days as families con tinue to use mul tiple electronics

billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Appliances with noticeable cost sav ings: Even when the purchase price is nice, don’t overlook this hidden cost of owning appliances: the cost of operating the product. So, if you’re eyeing a new washer/dryer set as the perfect holiday gift, make sure it’s en ergy efficient. You’ll feel good helping your loved one realize more than 20% savings on their electric bill while us ing one-third less water compared to the standard models.

A bright idea for stocking stuffers: Here’s a small gift that can light up their lives and save some serious bucks. Just one energy-efficient, LED light bulb can save more than $50 in electricity costs over its lifetime. If each American home replaced just a single bulb with one that earned the ENERGY STAR certification, we’d pre vent more than 7 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

(BPT) - When checking your holiday list, you’re searching for gifts that in spire joy and delight, and electronic items often fit that description. But what if that gift also happens to have a positive impact on your loved one’s life and the world at large? With all that has happened in the last couple of years, many of us have a greater appreciation for the things that pro tect the health of the planet for ev eryone.

Whether you’re shopping for a shiny new appliance or gadgets to make someone’s life easier, here’s how your gift can do a world of good: look for products that have earned the EN ERGY STAR label. These are inde pendently certified to use less energy than standard products, which not only saves money on energy costs,

for work and school. For catching up on favorite shows, tablets use four times less energy than streaming to a laptop and 15 times less than a desk top computer. An energy-efficient sound bar offers a sleek solution to achieving that rich stereo effect, but uses 70% less energy than a conven tional model.

A smarter solution to save heat ing costs: Families are still spend ing more time at home and energy bills have skyrocketed. Smart ther mostats take the guesswork out of maximizing energy efficiency, and choosing an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat means savings you can trust. Plus, they make great gifts. Were everyone to make the switch, we’d save 56 trillion BTUs of energy and $740 million a year, offsetting 13

A charger to go with that new electric car: And if big gifts are part of your holiday plan, remember to check out electric vehicles (EVs) and an EN ERGY STAR certified charger. EVs are the future of driving and you (or your loved one) can save an average of $800 to $1,000 a year on fuel and an average of $4,600 on maintenance over the lifetime of the vehicle. An ENERGY STAR certified charger com pletes the gift and uses 40% less en ergy in standby mode than the stan dard. Be sure to check for federal tax credits and utility rebates to sweeten the deal.

Still looking for a great gift that is both innovative and energy efficient? Check out energystar.gov/holiday for everything you need to help your loved ones save money and protect the climate all year long.

Stock photo and article provided by Brandpoint. © 2022 Brandpoint - All Rights Reserved.

5 fun, easy and affordable ways to brighten up your outdoor space

choose light bulb features unique to your lifestyle that’ll also allow you to customize your space, from switch ing through shades of light to match your mood, saving on energy bills with automatic on/off, helping you complete a task or creating your ideal ambience.”

Here are some easy and affordable ways to transform your outdoor areas for effortless warm-weather enter taining.

1. Get the party started

fun option is to use strands of Edison bulbs to give your deck or patio a “bis tro” atmosphere. Or if you want a more intimate old-fashioned look, illumi nate the night with the warm glow of EcoSmart Flame LED Light Bulbs, which create an alluring ambience by simulating a warm and realistic flick ering flame effect without emitting any heat. Better yet, you won’t have to worry about the risk that real flames from candles or torches can bring.

4. Enjoy a bug-free shindig

(BPT) - If you love entertaining friends and family outdoors, you’re not alone. Transforming outdoor areas into ex tended living spaces continues to be a huge trend, as anything and every thing from smaller balconies to spa cious porches and patios creates an opportunity to expand your home environment well into the evening hours with one crucial design ele ment: lighting.

Lighting an outdoor space can make a world of difference in creating am bience, lending additional function ality to a space or improving aes thetics within a space - making or breaking an evening barbecue, party or intimate gathering. Luckily, light ing choices are one of the most af fordable ways you can enhance any area of your home, and outdoors is no exception. Even small changes like swapping your light bulbs creates the perfect opportunity to have some fun and express your personality with different colors and design styles.

“Most homeowners don’t appreci ate the power of stylish yet func tional light bulbs to make a design statement both inside and out,” said Bethany Wood, senior merchant of light bulbs at The Home Depot. “The Home Depot’s exclusive light bulb brand EcoSmart was designed to in spire DIYers to create better, brighter room atmospheres. It’s important to

To create an upbeat mood, nothing is more fun and festive than bright, vi brant colors, so consider upgrading your entertaining space with a Color Changing Party LED Light Bulb from The Home Depot. You’ll bring any in door occasion to life using red, green, blue and yellow light, with five light ing effect options to choose from. EcoSmart light bulbs are equipped with user-friendly and innovative features, meaning you can easily switch between colors using a toggle on each bulb or conveniently cycle between colors with the simple flip of a standard wall switch.

2. Pump up the jam

A party atmosphere isn’t complete without music. Set the tone for an exciting night with your guests and keep them dancing or singing all night long with a Bluetooth Speaker LED Light Bulb. This EcoSmart bulb combines color selectable lighting with Bluetooth technology. Simply connect to your favorite Bluetooth device, without the need for any extra wiring or a hub.

3. Go vintage

Everything vintage and retro style is all the rage right now, but it’s not always easy to create the look and be practical at the same time. One

Your light bulbs can even help you keep those pesky pests away from your get-together in a more natural way. Opt for outdoor yellow Bug LED Light Bulbs, which help to repel in sects and can be used as an alterna tive to bug sprays.

5. Be ready for anythingeven outages

Don’t let summer storms rain on your parade! In case your power goes out, Battery Backup LED Light Bulbs are energy efficient and equipped with a power failure battery that will au tomatically turn on in the event of a power failure - and can last up to 3 hours. When in regular use the inter nal battery will charge, ensuring that you’ll always have an option for light during an outage.

You can set up your backyard for all kinds of entertaining with these and many other selections by exploring the wide variety of innovative fea tures and the latest lighting options from EcoSmart. Whether your plans include hosting backyard barbecues or creating a refreshing outdoor oasis, lighting up your space has never been easier.

Check out the curated collection of eco-friendly, energy-efficient EcoSmart options available exclu sively in-store at The Home Depot.

Stock photo and article provided by Brandpoint.

© 2022 Brandpoint - All Rights Reserved.

4 benefits of enclosing your porch or patio

sonal outdoor area is also the perfect way to expand your functional in door space. Glass and screens create a great sunlit environment that can be enjoyed as a dining room, family room or kids’ playroom. Plus, the lon gevity of costly furniture and décor will be extended since they’ll be pro tected from the elements year-round.

3. A boost in your home’s value.

(BPT) - Love your porch or deck and wish you could enjoy it all year long (but with fewer bugs and less time spent fighting the elements)?

Enclosing an existing porch or patio is the perfect way to add year-round functionality, value and space for what matters most to you. And doing so is more affordable than you might think, costing a fraction of what a new addition to your home would and adding just as much to its value.

If you’re looking for the best way to enclose your patio, whether with screens or glass, the decision comes with a long list of benefits. Patio En closures, part of the Great Day Im provements family of brands, offers a variety of versatile products that are custom manufactured to fit your ex isting space, providing:

* The most room possible per square foot

* Quick and simple installation

* A more affordable and noninvasive solution to a home addition

* Convenient indoor/outdoor transi tions between spaces

However, the four most rewarding aspects of enclosing your porch or patio have more to do with what goes on inside your home already with the people and pastimes that mean most to you.

1. Room for more of what matters.

From holiday celebrations and other family gatherings to staycations and mental retreats, this space is ideal for resting, recharging and making memories - regardless of weather. Here, you can immerse yourself in nature year-round (grab a beverage or cozy throw and enjoy!), do more of what you love or create your own family fun space by adding a hot tub, bar or pool table. Your enclosed patio can serve as a guest room, entertain ing space, a place to unwind or even a staycation destination when you need some time “away.”

2. More functional everyday living space.

Enclosing a porch, deck or other sea

Enclosing this outdoor space adds more functional square footage to your property and increases its val ue. Speaking of value, it’s also more affordable and noninvasive than a home renovation or building project, meaning your life can continue as usual, free from contractors and their construction equipment taking over your house. Win-win. Focus on boost ing your own mental health and wellbeing by using it as a yoga or workout room or home office space.

4. Lots of natural light and a closer connection to nature.

A patio enclosure is ideal for embrac ing indoor-outdoor living. It helps bridge the gap between the feeling of being outside while still enjoying the comforts of being in, with lots of light and fresh air, but no bugs, in clement weather, yard debris, dust or pollen - does it get better than that? If you’re in need of the perfect spot for enjoying your morning coffee, craft ing, napping or sunbathing with your pets, this is it.

Gaining valuable space to do more of the things you enjoy with the people you love transforms how you think about and use your home’s interior. Learn more about the many ways to enclose a porch or patio and explore Patio Enclosures’ complete line of quality home improvement solu tions for your patio and outdoor liv ing spaces, including sunrooms and other enclosures.

Stock photo and article provided by Brandpoint. © 2022 Brandpoint - All Rights Reserved.