Whether you are looking to put your home on the market soon or plan to live in the house for many more years to come, taking advantage of modern innovative materials will lower your monthly energy bills and increase the value of your property when it comes time to sell.

With an increasing focus on energy-saving systems and net-zero home construction, the accessibility and affordability for materials and systems are increasing. The following are some ways to use innovative materials in new home construction and remodeling projects that lower home energy bills and increase property value for putting your home on the market.

 

 

Insulated concrete form, or ICF, new home construction is a popular method that uses thick concrete to form cost-efficient insulation that will last for decades and be more attractive to prospective home buyers. Concrete blocks are framed by steel rebar to create exterior walls that provide a tight seal inside allowing for complete temperature and airflow control.

The large amounts of concrete used in ICF construction are resistant to moisture and the effects of the most severe weather and climate conditions throughout the year. The differences of wood vs metal studs used in ICF construction display its sturdiness and durability. These solid concrete walls will hold up against the pressure of hurricanes, tornadoes, and the worst storms your part of the country can muster.

 

A vapor barrier serves to increase the energy efficiency in your home and improve the comfort level for years to come by restricting the flow of air and water vapor through the exterior walls of your home. These barrier properties can be combined into one material or with specialized functions such as fire resistance barriers.

· Air barrier: Homes wrapped in air barrier material reduces leaked air and prevents movement in and out of your home.

· Vapor barrier: Vapor barriers do not need to be sealed or wrapped continuously around the structure of the home to limit the amount of water vapor that diffuses through your exterior walls.

Windows and doors are problem areas that allow air and moisture to enter the home and negatively impact the efficiency of your energy systems. Proper sealing around windows serves to address weak access points along the window and door seams.

 

Strategically placed sunshades and window louvers can significantly lower monthly energy bills and increase the resale value of your home. A wide range of customized options for shading and louver design offers flexibility and control of the home’s exposure to sunlight.

In addition to increasing the look and style of your home, adding shading systems will impress prospective home buyers and increase the value of the property. Additional benefits and features of sun shades and louvers include:

· Protection from UV rays that can cause furniture and flooring to fade and dim

· Adjustable or motorized shades and louvers reduce the glare from the sun throughout the course of the day

· Improves your control over the temperature of the home without using your HVAC systems

· Increases the privacy and security of your home

Solar Panels

Having solar panels installed on the roof of your home will serve to generate a vast amount of energy needed to power your home’s operational systems. The presence of solar panels instantly raises your home’s resale value. The savings begin the first day the panels are installed while helping to save the environment and increasing home’s property value.

In the modern age of the home construction and real estate industries using innovative materials that lower your monthly energy bills go hand-in-hand with attempts to increase the value of your home for resale purposes.