(Family Features) Spring is nature’s cue to renew and refresh. Whether you’re looking to add value for potential sale or simply create a more comfortable living space, you can make the most of the season and breathe new life into your home with projects that provide a high return on investment (ROI).

Consider these top home renovation projects to tackle this spring from the experts at Westlake Royal Building Products – a leader in innovation, design and production of exterior and interior building products including siding, trim, mouldings, roofing, stone, windows, outdoor living and more – based on the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report from “Remodeling Magazine.”

Remodel the Kitchen and Bathroom
The average seller can expect an 96.1% return on a light touch to the kitchen, according to the report, and 73.7% on a modest bathroom renovation. Because personal preferences can vary widely among buyers, minor upgrades can provide a higher ROI than large, upscale remodels. A few easy ways to refresh your kitchen or bathroom include updating shelving or adding new hardware. Decorative trim and mouldings are also cost-effective ways to add visual interest.

Upgrade with Stone Veneer
As natural and textured home trends continue, homeowners are gravitating toward stone veneer, or manufactured stone, as it can replicate the look of real stone, adding comfort, character and beauty to homes. An option like Versetta Stone from Westlake Royal Building Products offers the authentic, handcrafted look of stone in a panelized format that’s easy to install with nails and screws. There’s also no need to paint, coat or seal once installed. Ideal for its ability to add texture and dimension throughout both home interior (accent walls and fireplaces) and exterior applications (siding, entryways and walkways), stone veneer – which comes with a 153.2% ROI – can influence mood, emotion and energy levels while serving as a focal point of your home’s design.

Install New Windows
Depending on the harshness of winter in your area and the age of your home, you may notice certain windows have developed drafts, allowing cold air to enter and heat to escape. Replacing drafty or outdated windows with modern, energy-efficient models is one of the most effective ways to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. Additionally, a vinyl window replacement brings approximately 67.1% ROI.

Replace Siding
In some cases, applying a fresh coat of paint is enough to refresh your home. However, if you’re looking to enhance your home’s curb appeal while making a long-term impact, consider installing new siding or replacing existing siding. Because vinyl siding serves as an additional layer of insulation, improving the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling systems, it offers a 80.2% ROI. Weather-resistant, low-maintenance siding like Celect Cellular Composite Siding, which is now available in on-trend colors including Imperial Red, a robust shade of red; Deep Pewter, a compellingly modern forest green; and Timberland, a rich, natural brown, won’t warp, sag or buckle and is built to withstand even the harshest weather conditions. Its patented interlocking joints provide a seamless look and it’s easy to install in small spaces, like along a knee or pony wall.

Update Decking
If you want to entertain guests outside, spring is a perfect time to get your patio or deck ready. While a new coat of stain can update your existing deck’s appearance and help protect it, spring is also an ideal time to build a deck if your home doesn’t currently have one. When choosing a decking material, cost and maintenance are two factors to consider. Composite decking offers a 68.2% ROI and is low maintenance as it’s not susceptible to cracking, warping and weather damage.

Find more ideas to update your home this spring at WestlakeRoyalBuildingProducts.com.

SOURCE:
Westlake Royal Building Products

Once upon a time in the year 2024, Southwest Airlines launched a new program called “Wanna Go Wednesdays” to offer low fares on last-minute trips. This exciting initiative aimed to give customers a reason to look forward to Wednesdays and book spontaneous getaways at affordable prices.

Jennifer Bridie, the Vice President of Marketing Communications & Strategy at Southwest Airlines, stated, “Customers have a whole new reason to look forward to the weekdays. Wanna Go Wednesdays is a new weekly program that allows Customers to book the latest low fares on routes that are still available for last-minute bookings. We think this is a great way to highlight some spontaneous travel destinations at low fares for our Customers.”

Customers eagerly awaited each Wednesday, knowing that Southwest Airlines would release a new batch of low fares on their website. It became a weekly ritual for travel enthusiasts, who would wake up early to visit Southwest.com and discover the latest deals for their next adventure.

The first “Wanna Go Wednesdays” on May 1, 2024, showcased some enticing sample fares and routes. For instance, customers could fly as low as $69 one-way nonstop between Las Vegas and Long Beach, California. Other examples included fares as low as $89 one-way nonstop between Denver and Phoenix, as well as between Dallas (Love Field) and New Orleans. Additionally, customers could find fares as low as $109 one-way nonstop between Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and Detroit, or between Atlanta and Orlando.

The program received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers. Travelers who had previously thought last-minute trips were out of their budget suddenly found themselves exploring new destinations at affordable rates. It added an element of excitement and spontaneity to their travel plans, encouraging them to embrace their wanderlust and take advantage of the great deals offered by Southwest Airlines.

As the program gained popularity, Southwest Airlines made it a priority to constantly update their website with new and enticing fares. They understood that customers loved the thrill of discovering last-minute deals and were committed to making “Wanna Go Wednesdays” a cherished tradition.

For customers, Wednesdays became synonymous with adventure. They eagerly anticipated the new destinations and affordable fares that Southwest Airlines would reveal on their website each week. From spontaneous trips to beautiful beaches and vibrant cities, to unexpected visits with loved ones, “Wanna Go Wednesdays” opened up a world of possibilities for travelers everywhere.

Southwest Airlines had indeed made Wednesdays a little more fun with their innovative program. They had successfully transformed the midweek blues into a time filled with excitement and wanderlust. And so, the “Wanna Go Wednesdays” tradition continued to bring joy and adventure to the lives of countless travelers around the world.

Visit https://Southwest.comcom each Wednesday for the latest low fares.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.  

Southwest Airlines Co. is a highly regarded and acclaimed airline that operates in 11 countries with 121 airports. Established in 1971, their goal has been to make air travel accessible and affordable for everyone. They have the highest number of nonstop flights within the United States. Headquartered in Dallas, Southwest Airlines is known for its employee-centric culture and has a remarkable track record of not resorting to involuntary furloughs or layoffs. With over 74,000 employees, they prioritize delivering exceptional hospitality, resulting in a loyal customer base of over 137 million in 2023. This approach has contributed to their industry-leading profitability for 47 consecutive years. Southwest Airlines is committed to serving communities worldwide and has a mission to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. They have established near-term targets and a three-pillar strategy to attain their environmental goals. For more information, visit Southwest.com/citizenship to learn about their community-centric initiatives, and Southwest.com/planet to understand their efforts towards sustainability.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

https://stmdailynews.com

(Family Features) Home improvement projects often focus on updating the aesthetic of your house, but upgrades that make your living space more secure and comfortable for you and your family are sometimes even more important.

From your front door to the interior of your home and more, these ideas from the experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and exterior doors, can help provide greater peace of mind – ensuring what matters most is always protected.

Ensure Your Home is Well-Lit
A well-lit home exterior makes it easier to spot potential threats and may even deter people and animals that don’t belong on your property. Automatic outdoor lighting, either set to a timer or triggered by motion or light sensors, can help you see what’s going on outside. Ensure fixtures on your porch, patio and garage are in good working order and replace burned out bulbs or lights that no longer function. Adding landscape lighting can also aid in security while boosting curb appeal.

Protect Your Home with a Secure Front Door
Upgrading your front door can do much more than just improve the look of your home – it’s also an important part of providing enhanced security for you and your family. With four times more impact resistance than a standard deadbolt lock, the M-Protect Multi-Point Security Lock offers homeowners unmatched protection to keep what matters most safe. The lock works like a standard deadbolt, but with more points of contact, and it is compatible with a wide array of handle sets and hardware, including electronic deadbolts. It can be added to any Masonite Performance Door System – an innovative solution that provides superior energy efficiency, performance and comfort – which is available in a diverse range of finishes, colors and glass styles to fit any home design.

Reduce Fire Hazards
Many elements of a home like furnaces, chimneys, hot water heaters and other gas appliances provide value to homeowners through comfort and convenience but can pose risks without proper maintenance. Hiring a professional to check your heating and air conditioning system annually can help you avoid costly repairs while also protecting your loved ones. Keeping the chimney clean of debris, creosote and soot helps lower fire risk and ensures smoke, carbon dioxide and other gases are safely carried out of the home.

Control Home Systems On the Go
Installing security systems, doorbells, lighting and other systems that can be controlled from a smartphone app, like the Masonite M-Pwr Smart Door, can provide added convenience and peace of mind. You can remotely turn lights on and off, unlock doors, change the temperature, open or close garage doors and check camera feeds while away.

Replace Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
A simple project to make your home safer, it’s essential to check your smoke detectors regularly and replace the batteries every six months. If you discover the date of manufacture on the back of your smoke detectors is more than 10 years ago, replacement is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. While checking your smoke detectors, test or install carbon monoxide alarms to ensure you have a way to detect the invisible, odorless gas that can cause serious health problems if left unchecked.

Visit Masonite.com/mprotect to learn more about the latest innovations in home security.

SOURCE:
Masonite