Do you ever wish you could ?try on? your next home improvement project before work actually begins? With the help of advanced design programs like the Alside Design Showcase, you can now see what the end result will look like before even opening the toolbox. Previewing your latest improvement lets you be sure You're confident in the newest adjustment to your humble abode, making a big difference in the decision and willingness to begin such projects.

For homes in need of replacement siding, there?s often a bit of fear surrounding such a drastic change. The siding covers the entire home, and even a subtle difference can feel like a lot if you've been looking at the same siding for years. But the truth is: home improvement projects can really help increase the value and energy efficiency of your home.

Worried about such a dramatic change your home's appearance? Click here to view your home with new siding options. There are many color options, allowing you to match the color of your existing siding or go for an entirely new look! In addition to vinyl siding, we offer homeowners a variety of accessories including shutters, gable vents, mounting blocks, moldings and mantels to complete the look and update of your home.

Not-So-Fun Fact: Nearly 25% of our country?s energy is used by homes alone, and the typical American family'spends $2,000 a year on home utility bills. Unfortunately, tons of energy and money are wasted through leaky windows, ducts, old appliances or inefficient heating and cooling systems. In 2010, space heating accounted for almost half (45%) of typical utility bills.

While windows can be one of the most beautiful features of your home, you can'thank leaky ones for 10-25% of your heating bill, and for making your air conditioning system work extra hard during those crazy Maryland summers. In fact, the Energy Department reported that windows are responsible for $35 billion that homeowners lose in air-conditioning and heating costs each year.

If your home has single-pane windows, consider replacing them with double-pane windows with low-e coating. These types of windows do a great job of reducing energy waste in your home, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Replacing your windows may not be an investment you've planned for yet, and that?s fine. As you begin to make these plans, be sure to research the return on certain home improvement projects. Hint: Replacement windows are one of the highest returning home improvement investments, averaging a 72% ROI!

In the meantime, here are some easy, low-cost (or no-cost) tips and tricks to help make your home more efficient:

SOURCES: EnergySavers: Tips on Saving Money & Energy at Home, Yahoo! Homes: Cut costs with energy-efficient windows

It's been awhile since we?ve seen improvements in the cost-value ratio for home improvement projects. This ratio compares the cost of home improvement projects to the value they add to your home. The higher the ratio, the more money you will recoup in the selling price of the home. This year, the overall cost-value ratio has reached 60.6%, which is a pretty big improvement from the past few years, during which the overall ratio was only 57.7%. We?re excited to discuss this, because it quantifies the value of home improvement projects and replacement projects (such as replacement windows and replacement doors) and shows homeowners that updating their homes will pay off in the end.

A growing trend that?s remained constant throughout the years is the higher value of exterior replacement projects compared to more discretionary projects. Homeowners can see that the better value is in sustainable improvements that will have long-term benefits, like energy efficiency, for example. One thing that?s for sure, energy efficient replacement windows are a great way to save money long-term in utility bills and also reduce the amount of resources used, such as fuel.

Another component of the 2013 Cost vs. Value Report that we would like to point out is that home replacement projects yield a higher cost-value ratio than home remodeling projects. And as we enter the spring season and home improvement projects really get under way, now?s a great time to consider which replacement projects will be the best value for your home and budget.

The time has come when homeowners across the country are eager to get started on their spring home improvement projects. Whether they are indoor projects or outdoor projects, you can count on a busy season for home improvement companies nationwide. But we wanted to remind you before you tackle your next project, that energy efficient home improvement projects are eligible to receive energy tax credits! That means a savings for you now and also, long-term savings that comes from having a more energy efficient home. With the many different projects out there, energy efficient replacement windows are known to be eligible for energy tax credits.

Even better is that Congress has decided to make energy tax credits retroactive. So if you went all out in 2012 making energy efficient improvements to your home, you may still be able to receive a tax credit on this year?s returns!

Energy tax credits have many people and corporations excited. From an article posted to the Beacon Journal, ?Obviously we think It's a really great move to help consumers afford [improvements] and encourage them to think about making these energy-efficiency investments in their homes,? said Ronnie Kweller, a spokesperson for the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington energy-efficiency lobby.

Keep in mind, that as with any tax credit, there are eligibility regulations. We have created a document for you to help determine whether or not your recent or future home improvement projects are eligible to receive this year?s energy tax credits. Click here to view the 2012 ? 2013 Tax Credit Information page.