Home improvement feels good, doesn’t it? With every little project you complete, your humble abode gets better and better. And there’s always something more you can do to make your space the best it can be!
So, how will you further enhance your home in 2022?
We’re going to be honest, there are a ton of home improvement trends for 2022 we could highlight in this post. But we’ve limited our list down to the five that we think will be most valuable to you. These trends will help you save money and time while improving the beauty and value of your home.
Before we start exploring them, we should mention that we’d be happy to help you with whatever goals you have for 2022. We’re a trustworthy residential and commercial contractor in McHenry, IL. Please feel free to give us a call at 844-736-6961 if you have any questions!
Now that we got that out of the way, let’s explore these home improvement industry trends!
1. Solar Technology Continues to Revolutionize Roofing
Are you looking to upgrade your roof in 2022? One growing home improvement market trend is to invest in solar technology. Solar has gained in popularity over the years, and you’ve likely noticed as panels have started popping up on roofs in your neighborhood.
New Solar Shingles Blend in with Your Roof
Now before you go dismissing the idea because you don’t want large panels on your roof, we want to give you some exciting news: Solar roofs have gotten a makeover in recent years!
Instead of big panels, you can now get solar roofing shingles that blend right in with the rest of your roof. It’s all thanks to brands like Tesla, GAF and CertainTeed. In recent years, these companies have come out with solar shingles that look great and work just as effectively as panels.
Solar shingles are the same size as regular asphalt shingles and typically go on the roof alongside them. For example, a Tesla solar roof has a ratio of one solar shingle for every three regular shingles installed. Solar shingles are also just as durable as regular shingles and can easily stand up to storms and debris.
Unlike solar panels, new solar shingles blend right in with the roof.
Solar Has a Great Return on Investment Over Time
Of course, one of the main drawbacks of both solar shingles and solar panels is that they’re expensive. Currently, a roof with solar shingles will cost you between $60,000 and $75,000. Solar panels are also expensive but less so at around $20,000. Still, the prices for both have been steadily dropping year over year, making solar roofs increasingly affordable for homeowners.
But the extra cost you spent up front for solar panels or shingles will be well worth it for the money you will save in the long run. A solar roof can reduce your energy bill by as much as 70% by cutting down on the energy you need from your power utility to run your home. And over time, those savings can make up for the initial investment.
Your Electric Company Will Pay You
On top of that, your solar roof can also earn you money from your local electric utility!
How this works is sometimes the solar panels or shingles will produce more energy than your home is using. When this happens, the panels can send that energy back into the main grid where it can be sent to other homes. You will receive a credit for this, which will lower your electric bill even further.
There are also many tax incentives from the government that homeowners with solar roofs can take advantage of. We will take a closer look at those below.
So, as you can see, solar roofing is becoming increasingly appealing for homeowners. It looks, works and pays better than ever before and is certainly an investment worth considering in 2022.
2. Larger, Energy-Efficient Windows Make Homes Brighter and Bills Lower
We’ve all been spending more time at home in recent years. So, naturally, many of us have been seeking ways to make our indoor spaces more enjoyable. One increasingly popular way to do this is letting in more natural light with larger windows.
As we will see, not only is this an excellent decision for a home’s aesthetic value, but it can also help save money on heating and cooling costs.
More Outdoor Views Beautify a Space
Many homeowners are broadening their horizons by considering new window options they may have never thought of before. One growing trend is replacing entire walls with oversized windows to take full advantage of natural views. Another option includes adding skylights to bathe previously closed off rooms in sunshine.
The key to making these upgrades work is strategically locating the windows for both form and function. The window should increase the home interior’s beauty but not overheat it with too much direct sun. A professional contractor can help you make sure your new windows are optimally placed for maximum enjoyment.
Many homes are adding larger windows to give rooms a more open feel.
New Windows Lower Energy Bills
While adding these new windows isn’t cheap, it can also save you money in the long run by lowering your energy bills. This is especially true for homes with older windows.
If you have not replaced your windows in over 15 years, then there’s a good chance they’re costing you money. Old windows often develop drafts that increase heating and cooling bills by up to 25%. There are many warning signs that indicate your windows are drafty, including cracks in the window caulking and windows that are often fogging up.
While you can seal drafty windows, this is only a temporary solution. Replacing them with new energy-efficient windows is a much better way to ensure great long-term results for your home. You can see a return on investment in as little as two years, and in the meantime, you’ll get to enjoy those beautiful views.
3. Gutter Guards Simplify Outdoor Maintenance
No one likes cleaning the gutters. Many still put up with the tedious and potentially dangerous task of getting up on the ladder with a bucket year after year.
However, that trend may be changing.
Homeowners are increasingly opting for an alternate option to make their lives easier: gutter guards. These nifty devices sit on top of the gutters to keep out leaves and debris while letting water flow through.
Providing Many Benefits for Homeowners
Obviously, the biggest benefit of gutter guards is they save you from having to get up on your roof and clean out clogs. But beyond this, gutter guards can also increase the lifespan of your gutters by protecting them against rust and corrosion. Plus, by preventing debris buildup, gutter guards make it more difficult for harmful ice dams to form in the winter and fires to start in the summer. They also keep invasive pests out of your downspouts.
Multiple Design Options for Your Home
Another great thing about gutter guards is there are many types to choose from.
The most popular type is micro-mesh barriers that effectively keep out debris while letting water in tiny holes. You can also get screens with larger holes, reverse curve guards that direct the leaves away while letting water in and inexpensive brushes or foam pieces that you can stick inside the gutters.
Ultimately, the best style of gutter guard for you will depend on your budget and the types of foliage and weather in your area.
Gutter guards are great for improving your home and making your life easier!
4. The Government is Incentivizing Going Green
As we mentioned above, the government wants homeowners to be more energy-efficient. To encourage this, it continues to put more incentives in place for homes that go green. So, you may want to make taking advantage of those offers part of your home renovation plan for 2022.
Enjoy Tax Credits and Savings
One of the main government incentives is the residential energy-efficient property tax credit. This tax credit is available to homes that invest in energy-efficient options like solar roofs, solar water heaters and small wind turbines. The government will give back a certain percentage of the cost of making those improvements.
State governments also make many more incentives available for homeowners. For example, the state of Illinois has 66 policies and incentives residents could potentially take advantage of and Wisconsin has 62. For a full list on incentives available in your area, we recommend visiting the DSIRE database at dsireusa.org.
Get Financing to Help You Go Green
The government also has a financing program to help homeowners afford the cost of making energy-efficient improvements. So, even if going green seems too expensive for you, it still may be a good option if you qualify for the financing program.
With all these incentives in place, it’s not a bad idea to at least consider making your home more energy-efficient. Not only will you benefit in the long run, but you could also help the environment in the process.
5. Supply Shortages Make Planning Ahead Essential
Unfortunately, the home improvement trends in 2022 aren’t all positive. As you may have heard, our country is having major supply chain issues caused by the pandemic response. The home improvement industry has not been immune from these delays. Shortages in supplies and materials needed for home renovation projects have occurred more frequently as a result.
The good news is you can take steps to be proactive in this less-than-ideal environment. Here’s how to ensure supply shortages won’t ruin your plans:
Research the Supplies You will Need
Before you start any home improvement project, you’ll want to make sure everything you need is available. You’ll also want to keep in mind that prices for labor and materials are rising with the shortages. So, be sure that everything is available and affordable before you begin any project.
Make a Realistic Plan with Alternative Options
You will also want to have a realistic timeline for your project before you begin. Delivery times have greatly increased because of the supply chain issues, and products that once took 2-3 weeks to arrive can now take 12 weeks. So, you’ll want to allow plenty of time for your project in case there are delays.
You should also avoid getting too attached to any one material or product. Have multiple options in mind in case something is unavailable. That way you can be flexible as the project moves forward.
By following these best practices, you can make the most of your home improvement projects even in a less than ideal environment.
Which Home Improvement Trends in 2022 Appeal to You?
As you can see, there are many ways to improve your home and save money in 2022. You could turn your roof into solar energy source, let more natural light in with larger windows and cut down on gutter clogs. The only question left to answer is, which ones will you capitalize on?
Renowned Building Solutions Can Help!
Whatever your goal is, the team of trustworthy contractors would be happy to help. We specialize in roofing, siding, windows and gutters and serve Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, Indiana and North Carolina. Our significant service area includes Illinois towns like Algonquin and Joliet, as well as Wisconsin towns like Brookfield and New Berlin.
Please call us today 844-736-6961 or click below to get a free quote!
