7Replacing old windows with new vinyl windows is a top home improvement project for adding to the resale value of a home, noted Remodeling Magazine in its "Cost vs. Value Report 2006". Remodeling Magazine, a leading national trade periodical, conducted its 19th annual survey of real estate professionals across the country, asking them to compare 16 typical remodeling projects for mid-range price homes and seven projects for upscale homes. For both home categories, window replacement with new vinyl windows ranked second in terms of percentage cost recouped in additional resale value in the Mid- Atlantic states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Replacement with vinyl windows surpassed such traditionally perceived high value home improvements as major kitchen remodeling, deck additions and bathroom remodeling and additions.

Commenting on the report's findings, Steve Chen, Crystal Window & Door Systems executive vice president, said, "I am pleased to see the cost benefit of window replacement projects being surveyed, recognized and quantified. While we all know that new vinyl replacement windows are energy efficient, save on heating and air-conditioning fuel bills, reduce outdoor noise and improve homeowner or tenant comfort, we now have professionals indicating it's a top investment that's significantly recouped in added home value. With warmer weather finally here, and as owners think about home improvements, it's clear new vinyl windows should be on their 'must do' list."

The Remodeling Magazine "Cost vs. Value Report 2006" findings show for mid-range residences in the Mid-Atlantic region, a typical vinyl window replacement project costing $10,682 added $9,523 to the resale value of the house, recouping 89.2 percent of the investment. This figure outpaces a typical bathroom addition, recouping 71 percent of the project investment, a typical family room addition recouping 71.2 percent of the investment, and a major kitchen remodel recouping 79.5 percent of the investment.

For upscale homes in the Mid-Atlantic region, a typical vinyl window replacement project costing $13,870 added $12,132 to the resale value, recouping 87.5 percent of the project investment. A typical bathroom addition project for the upscale home category recouped 70.5 percent of the investment and a major kitchen remodel recouped 72.6 percent of the investment.

For purposes of the survey and report, a typical vinyl window replacement project entails 10 new, 3 foot by 5 foot, insulated glass, double-hung windows for both midrange and upscale home categories. For the upscale home category, the typical vinyl window replacement project also includes window options: Low-E glass, betweenglass grids, simulated wood grain interior and custom-color exterior finishes. The Mid-Atlantic region findings averaged project cost and resale estimates for the seven metropolitan areas of New York, Philadelphia, Allentown, Albany, Buffalo, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

The Remodeling Magazine "Cost vs. Value Report 2006" was published in the November 2006 issue of the periodical. The report and article were prepared by the magazine's staff and based on a Web survey by a prestigious Indianapolis market research firm, which in conjunction with the National Association of Realtors surveyed 100,000 brokers, sales agents and appraisers. A Bethesda, Maryland-based estimating software development firm provided the 25 cost-to-construct remodeling project estimates for the 60 metropolitan areas surveyed. Remodeling Magazine is one of the leading national construction trade journals published by Hanley Wood Magazine of Washington, D.C.

Crystal Window & Door Systems is one of the top 60 manufacturers of replacement and new construction vinyl and aluminum window and door products and high-end fenestration systems in North America. Crystal offers a full product line, rapid order-to-delivery times, quality workmanship, innovative product features and outstanding value. Crystal operates sales/distribution offices and subsidiaries in Brooklyn; South Plainfield, New Jersey; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Westlake, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts, and St. Louis, Missouri. For more information about Crystal and its products, call 718-961-7300 or visit www.crystalwindows. com.