Best ROI Home Remodel Project

Here is a trivia question for you. What is the only home remodel project that has a positive return on investment in 2015? Time is up! Do you have the answer? Most people guess a kitchen or bathroom remodel. Both good guesses but not correct. Per Remodeling Magazine the only project to have a positive return on investment is to replace your front door with a new steel front door! In the Tampa, Florida area a steel door replacement costs on average $1167 and brings a return of $1318. That breaks down to a return on investment of 112.9 percent! This was the only positive return project on the list this year. The only other project that came close was a bathroom remodel that had a 99.9 percent return on your investment.

I specialize in a suburb of Tampa, Florida in a wonderful community called FishHawk Ranch. So let's talk about the pros and cons of the different types of doors and how they would effect a Tampa, Florida home.

Steel Door

Steel doors have made some great advancements over the years. They are not just your plain boring doors anymore. Steel doors now come in beautiful designs. Steel doors cost from $150 to around $650 plus hardware and installation.

Steel doors offer the strongest barrier against intruders.

The lifespan of a steel door tends to be a little shorter than a fiberglass or wood door and there is a possibility that a steel door may dent. Any damage to a steel door can be difficult and expensive to repair.

Fiberglass Doors

Fiberglass doors come in a large variety of styles and require very little upkeep. These doors are very durable and can last up to 20 years. The doors feel light compared to a steel door but they are tough and difficult for an intruder to breach. Fiberglass doors have a foam core offers that offers good insulation for the warm Florida summers.

The cost of a Fiberglass door generally falls between the steel door and the wood door price. Typically fiberglass doors cost between $400 to $1000 plus the cost of installation and hardware.

Per Remodeling Magazine they list the cost of a fiberglass  front door replacement project at $2842 and the resale value at $1827.  Although a fiberglass door doesn’t generate as high a return as a steel door, it does provide a 64.3% return on investment.

Wood Doors

Wood doors are considered the luxury choice for doors. The look and weight can’t duplicated by fiberglass or steel doors. If your home calls for a stunning entry statement with a handcrafted touch, wood is probably the best choice you.

Wood is usually the most expensive of the three doors. The cost is roughly $500 to $2,000 plus hardware and installation. Wood doors do require the most maintenance but they are for the most part easier to repair than steel or fiberglass. Wood doors should be repainted or refinished every year or two to prevent splitting and warping.

If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your door as well as its energy efficiency, you can purchase a solid wood door certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Energy Efficient Doors

By choosing an energy efficient door, you may be able to trim up to 10% off your energy bills. In Lithia, Florida the typical homeowner’s utility bill averaged over $2,200 last year. By adding a new energy efficient door you may be able to save $220 or more a year. Remember that energy efficiency depends on a number of factors besides the material a door is made of, it is important to look for the Energy Star label to help you compare doors.

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