Investing in Curb Appeal: the Allure of Manufactured Stone Veneer
by Sarah Lograsso
POSTED IN: Design Trends, Industry Trends, 2024 Cost vs Value Report, Cultured Stone, Manufactured Stone Veneer
This year’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report by Zonda Media, which collects nationwide data on the ROI of home improvement projects, has once again underscored a consistent trend observed year after year: exterior home improvement projects tend to wield a substantial impact on a home’s overall value.
According to the report’s findings, strategically elevating a property’s curb appeal with specific materials can significantly enhance its resale value. One of the leading materials shown to increase a home’s value is manufactured stone veneer (MSV), with homeowners recouping over 153% of the initial cost. This impressive return on investment is a 50% increase from last year’s reporting.
With MSV in the top 3 spots for highest ROI, similarly high returns for exterior projects also include replacing a garage door (194% ROI) and opting for a steel door replacement (188% ROI). These projects not only enhance curb appeal but also provide substantial financial benefits for homeowners in the long run.
Regional Project Results
In regions across the country, renovations with MSV were reported to yield even higher returns on investment, surpassing other projects on the list. Notable regional figures for MSV include:
- Leading returns in the West South-Central United States (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma) with a significant 220% return.
- Impressive returns in the Pacific region (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii) with a notable 203%.
- Healthy returns in the East South-Central area of the country (Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida) at 141%.
- Solid performance in the Middle Atlantic region (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey) bringing in a 159% return.
- Strong percentages from the New England area (Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire) at 151.7%.
The Consistency of MSV
In this year’s report, the ongoing trend of exterior projects outperforming interior projects for resale ROIs continues for the sixth consecutive year. Among the projects providing significant returns for sellers, seven of the top 10 opportunities are exterior renovations. These include:
- Garage door replacement (ranked #1 nationally, 194% ROI).
- Entry door replacement (ranked #2 nationally, 188% ROI).
- Manufactured stone veneer (ranked #3 nationally, 153% ROI).
- Fiber-Cement siding replacement (ranked #6 nationally, 88% ROI).
- Wood deck addition (ranked #7 nationally, 82.9% ROI).
- Vinyl siding replacement (ranked #8 nationally, 80% ROI).
- Composite deck addition (ranked #10 nationally, 68% ROI).
A surprising report finding showed that HVAC, which was ranked as the number one project last year, now finds itself as the twelfth ranked project with just a 66% return on investment. Zonda suggests this shift may be driven by consumers observing significant declines in natural gas heating costs compared to previous years.
Additionally, three interior projects found a spot in the top 10: a fiberglass grand entrance (ranked fourth with a 97% ROI), a midrange minor kitchen remodel (ranked fifth with a 96% ROI), and a midrange bath remodel (ranked ninth with a 73% ROI). According to Clay DeKorne, chief editor of Zonda’s JLC Group, “exterior replacement projects continue to make the most sense” to add resale value to a home, while “discretionary projects like an upscale bathroom or kitchen remodel will feel valuable to those who make the selections but won’t provide nearly as much return to sellers.”
A surprising report finding showed that HVAC, which was ranked as the number one project last year, now finds itself as the twelfth ranked project with just a 66% return on investment. Zonda suggests this shift may be driven by consumers observing significant declines in natural gas heating costs compared to previous years.
Additionally, three interior projects found a spot in the top 10: a fiberglass grand entrance (ranked fourth with a 97% ROI), a midrange minor kitchen remodel (ranked fifth with a 96% ROI), and a midrange bath remodel (ranked ninth with a 73% ROI). According to Clay DeKorne, chief editor of Zonda’s JLC Group, “exterior replacement projects continue to make the most sense” to add resale value to a home, while “discretionary projects like an upscale bathroom or kitchen remodel will feel valuable to those who make the selections but won’t provide nearly as much return to sellers.”
Manufactured Stone Veneer and Project Size
The reported ranking for MSV projects reflects the replacement of a 300-square-foot continuous band of existing vinyl siding from the bottom third of the street-facing facade with MSV, including sills, corners, and an address block. This standard installation also includes the application of two layers of water-resistive barrier, corrosion-resistant lath and fasteners, and a nominal half-inch mortar scratch coat, a process made exponentially faster and easier given MSV’s lightweight nature.
To learn more about the report and explore additional results, visit the 2024 Cost vs. Value portal.
About Sarah Lograsso
Director of Marketing and Product Design
As Director of Marketing and Portfolio Management, Sarah has successfully coupled her design talents with business acumen to refresh, refine and distinctly position five standout brands in the North American market and abroad. She continues to provide design direction for the brands’ variety of best-selling modern profiles and trend-forward color palettes while enhancing the prestige of the category among masons, builders, designers, architects and consumers.