Before you get out the hammer and backsplash tiles, make a game plan to get the most out of your home improvements. Renovate smarter not harder by balancing aesthetic or functional upgrades with projects that have a high return on investment. According to the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine, putting your home’s best face forward pays off.

Eight of the top 10 remodeling projects with the highest return on investment are exterior projects. Replacing existing siding with vinyl siding and changing exterior cladding, specifically adding stone veneer, made the top 10. Interior projects don’t always yield the same resell results as exterior updates. In other words, your curb appeal is greater than your kitchen appeal.

Upgrading Home Exteriors with Manufactured Stone Veneer

A little goes a long way for maximizing your return on investment and curb appeal. The addition of stone veneer accents has a national average ROI of 153.2%. The sample project included replacing 300 square feet of vinyl siding from the bottom third of the street-facing side of a home with manufactured stone veneer as well as adding manufactured stone around the entry archway. The warm tone and earthy texture of stone veneer creates a focal point that adds character to a home.

Explore the possibilities of stone veneer additions to your home with our Home Design Visualizer.

Ply Gem Manufactured Stone Veneer Styles

Ply Gem offers eight unique styles of manufactured stone veneer, each available in a variety of color options.

• Canyon Ledge mimics a natural canyon with a mix of stone texture and size that adds depth and comfort to a home’s facade.
• Cascade Ledge blends ledge stones and cobble jumpers to create long, clean lines that pair well with any architectural style.
• Colonial Brick is a lightweight, low-cost twist on a classic. This stone veneer adds eye-catching warmth and elegance to a home.
• Cut Cobblestone combines old-world luxury with rugged mountainside in this chiseled-face cobblestone style.
• Fieldstone is a mosaic-like stone featuring a diverse assortment of stone shapes and sizes, bringing a relaxed, natural ambience to a home’s exterior.
• Manorstone has a smooth surface yet a rough appearance with a mix of stone shapes and sizes that fit well with both modern and traditional exteriors.
• Shadow Ledgestone combines warm earth tones and uneven surfaces for an organic, rustic appearance.
• True Stack™ consists of individually stacked stones fit tightly together, pairing an uncut look with clean, neutral color varieties.

ClipStone® Mortarless Stone Veneer Simplifies Installation

ClipStone mortarless stone veneer is the perfect option for home DIYers. There is no need for specialty tools or mortar mess — if you can put a screw into a wall then you can install ClipStone. Each ClipStone has an embedded clip designed with two mounting eyelets on the top clip and two support bars on the bottom that slide behind the stone below. The clips are built with small arches, providing a built-in water management system behind the ClipStone.

All you need in your toolbox to install ClipStone is a power screwdriver, a level, 1-inch screws with a flathead and waffle design, a staple gun, and flashing tape. If you need to cut the stone, you will also need a masonry blade, gloves and eye protection.

With ClipStone, you can upgrade your home in just six easy steps.

1. Measure the square footage of the wall space.
2. Remove the old siding.
3. Apply one layer of a grade D, breathable, water-resistant barrier on top of the exposed wall space with a stapler.
4. Flash all the paper edges and openings.
5. Attach ClipStone starter strips with a screw.
6. Place the stones one row at a time, tucking the bottom clip behind the stone below and screwing in the top two eyelets.

See this tutorial to learn more about ClipStone installation.

After installation, your work is done. ClipStone requires no maintenance, sealing, painting or cleaning. ClipStone is the do-it-yourself solution for exterior accent projects such as column wraps, wainscot and more.

There are five ClipStone collections available.

• Classic Ledgestone: This collection features smooth, modern stone veneer styles perfect for adding accents in place of vinyl siding.
• Classic ProStack: Another option for replacing vinyl siding, Classic ProStack’s stacked stone look adds a more rugged, uneven appearance.
• ColumnWrap ProStack: This collection combines the rugged, stacked stone of ProStack with ColumnWrap, eliminating the need to frame around the post of columns.
• ProPanel NorthernLedge: The thin, stacked stone of this collection provides a modern edge and is available in larger panels for an even more seamless installation.
• ColumnWrap NorthernLedge: This slender row design adds a sleek look to columns and can be installed in as little as 10 minutes.

There are eight ClipStone accessories to aid installation and enhance the cohesiveness of the stone: Electric Outlet Box, Hearth Stones, Light Box, Mantel & Brackets, Starter Strip, Universal Trim, Wainscot Sill Corners and Wainscot Sills.

Vinyl Siding: An Exterior Update that Lasts a Lifetime

Homebuyers form first impressions before stepping through the door. That’s why real estate agents recommend that homeowners looking to sell their homes make exterior updates a top priority.

Updating vinyl siding gives any home a fresh, new look with a great return. The 2024 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine found that replacing old vinyl siding has a 80.2% ROI on average. The sample project used to measure ROI included replacing 1,250 square feet of existing siding with new vinyl siding and factory trim at all openings and corners.

Whether you’re interested in classic lap, modern vertical, or charming shake and shingle, Mastic® by Ply Gem offers a range of vinyl siding in bold, trending colors formulated to resist fading to fit your vision.

• Lap Siding: Tried-and-true lap siding is low maintenance and durable. The overlapping long, flat boards give a clean look while shedding water and preventing it from reaching the walls.
• Vertical Siding: A unique alternative to lap siding, vertical siding dramatizes height and elevates the home exterior. Cover your home in vertical siding or add it as an accent on entryways, low porch walls, gables or dormers for a modern appeal.
• Shake and Shingle Siding: Add instant comfort and character to your home with shake and shingle siding. This collection has the beautiful texture of natural wood without the maintenance.

Ply Gem siding is backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty that covers you for as long as you live in and own your home. If you sell your home, the warranty is transferable and the new owners are covered for 50 years from the date of the original installation.

Improving Your Home’s Curb Appeal Pays Dividends

Homebuyers judge the book by its cover. Exterior home improvements, such as vinyl siding replacement and manufactured stone veneer accents, boost your home’s curb appeal. These exterior renovation projects rank high for return on investment. Ready to explore your options? Find a pro to help you transform your home’s exterior and reap the rewards.