Most homeowners will tell you that their mantra seems to be 'maintenance, rot, repair.' Siding and roofs get repaired and replaced, windows rot, and trimboards deteriorate. It happens over time, usually decades, but even with all the time and effort spent assessing and maintaining, the rot and repair phase seems to come all too soon. When it does, the expense can be overwhelming.
At this juncture, many homeowners opt for the cheapest alternative. It's appealing from a financial perspective, but you get what you pay for, as the old adage goes. As far as performance and quality go, you may find yourself in the exact same position much sooner than you expected.
The high-performance options may cost more up front, but over time they will save you more money on your utility bills, and also by way of less frequent maintenance and repair problems. Moreover, they boost a home's value and can become major selling points, especially in leaner times.
Even if your budget is tight, you should consider the long-term scenario and make a careful decision. Consider all the factors, including appreciation and performance as well as cost. Never make a decision based solely on your bank account – you'll regret it later when the cheap materials fail and you wind up making the same repair a second time. A home is a long-range investment, and every decision about its upkeep should be made from the same perspective.
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