We’ve all heard the proverb “a penny saved is a penny earned,” which first was stated as “a penny spared is twice gotten.” How can a penny be twice gotten?
The original proverb dates back to the 17th century where it summed up the fact that declining to spend money and save money instead, you are “a penny up rather than a penny down,” hence the penny was “twice gotten.”
There are many places we can apply this simple wisdom and come out ahead. Preventative maintenance is one of those places. Prevention saves money on everything from our multiple cars, personal health, vital relationships and our most substantial financial investments—our homes.
Today, we would like to share three home exterior tips that could save homeowners thousands of dollars in just two to three years. These money-saving tips help prevent home repairs, saving you thousands of dollars over as little as a few years. Homeowners who wisely apply the following tips learn firsthand that a penny spared is twice gotten. Check out our budget friendly tips today!
Tip #1. Cut back your tree’s branches so they don’t touch your roof.
It is wise to keep a close eye out for any trees or shrubs that are getting close to your home’s roof or shingles. When tree limbs or branches are not cut back, they hang down and dance on top of your shingles, causing water and penetrating moisture to keep your roof wet.
Moisture is not a roof’s friend
Over time, constant moisture on your roof causes algae build up and eventually breaks through your roof’s moisture barrier and cause decking to rot.
The price of neglecting to trim trees away from your roof
An unrepaired, leaky roof can cause extensive damage to drywall ceilings that will need to be replaced, primed and painted on the interior of your home. Now, that’s a hassle none of us wants to experience! But if tree limbs stay in contact with your roof over long periods of time, damage continues and water begins to leak into your home. Raindrops were not meant to fall on anyone’s head indoors, so trimming trees and shrubs to steer clear of your roof pays off!
Tip #2. Keep plants from coming into contact with your home’s exterior paint.
Plants, shrubs, and flowers are beautiful, and they certainly enhance your home’s exterior. However, they can become very damaging to your home’s exterior paint and lead to wood rot under the paint if they trap moisture due to being in proximity to your siding.
If wood rot occurs beneath the paint surface, beautiful landscaping accents end up potentially causing hundreds to thousands of dollars more on a home’s exterior painting job. All the hassle involved in professionally replacing and repainting siding can be eliminated if homeowners simply keep plants from coming into contact with their home’s exterior.
Dollars and sense
In Missouri, a typical exterior painting project costs between $4,000 and $5,000. Wood siding and trim boards often add an average of $1,500 to the estimated cost. Professional painting can be performed after the damaged wood siding is replaced.
Cutting and trimming your landscaping in order to keep it from touching the exterior walls of your home can save you these extra costs. The average paint job, if performed correctly, lasts between 5 to 7 years. Keeping your plants from coming into contact with your home’s exterior could save you approximately $3,000 over the amount of time you would have had your home painted twice—ten to fifteen years.
So, when planting bushes, flowers, and shrubs, provide adequate space between them and your home’s siding. Realize you are saving valuable time and money in the long run by applying this rule of thumb.
Tip #3. Install Energy Star windows to retain a home’s heat and air.
If not properly vented, a home’s roof is where most energy is lost. However, every glass window and door opening creates the second largest energy transfer in a home. And in this case, we mean transferring the money you spend each month to your local power and light company!
Oil and energy prices have been lower the past couple of years, but analysts predict we will soon see the price of oil jump from the $40 a barrel back to $150 barrel. Think about how many things that affects. It triples the price of not just gasoline in the tank, but also the price of heating and cooling your home.
Energy saved equals money saved—from quality windows and doors
When it comes to windows and doors, it is simply amazing how much more efficient they make your home—saving you countless dollars on heating and air conditioning annually. Throw in the new Energy Star rules that the U.S. government now requires the window and door manufacturers to meet in order to claim the Energy Star seal, and the difference is truly remarkable!
If a home has thirty- to fifty-year old windows, chances are they don’t have LowE glazing film or any type of gas in them. They are likely clear panes or single panes, which do not keep the heat or air homeowners purchase daily to make their home comfortable.
How to save money every time you turn on the heat or air
Homeowners could save hundreds of dollars every year by updating their windows and doors. The LowE glazing film reflects the heat from the sun in the hot summer months and causes air conditioners to perform with greater efficiency, helping your air unit not to work as hard to cool your house.
In the winter, the LowE glazing film helps retain heat and helps heating units not to have to run as much. So, in addition to saving on the monthly utility bill, you are also adding years of life to your heating and air conditioning unit, which are not cheap either!
