Before You Remodel Your Kitchen, Consider Your Siding.
When homeowners think about increasing their home’s value, kitchen and bathroom renovations are often the first projects that come to mind. But what if one of the smartest investments you could make in your home isn’t inside at all?
According to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report from the Journal of Light Construction (JLC), certain exterior improvements deliver an impressive return on investment—sometimes significantly outperforming popular interior remodeling projects.
And here in Rapid City, South Dakota, the numbers are particularly interesting.
The Numbers: How Much Value Does New Siding Add?
Each year, the Cost vs. Value Report compares the estimated costs of popular home improvement projects with the value those improvements are expected to add when the property is sold.
The results offer valuable insight into which renovations may provide the greatest financial return.
According to the 2025 national averages, here is how several popular remodeling projects compare:
- Manufactured stone veneer: 207.9% of the investment recouped.
- Fiber-cement siding replacement: 113.7% of the investment recouped.
- Minor kitchen remodel (midrange): 112.9% of the investment recouped.
- Vinyl siding replacement: 96.5% of the investment recouped.
- Bathroom remodel (midrange): 80.0% of the investment recouped.
These figures demonstrate that exterior improvements can compete with—and sometimes outperform—traditional interior renovations when it comes to increasing resale value.
An Extraordinary Return in Rapid City
While national averages provide a useful benchmark, local real estate markets can tell a different story.
One particularly striking finding from the 2025 report is the estimated return on manufactured stone veneer in Rapid City.
In the Rapid City, South Dakota market, manufactured stone veneer was estimated to recoup as much as 322.2% of its installation cost.
That means the standardized project evaluated in the study was estimated to add more than three times its cost in resale value.
These figures are based on specific project descriptions and estimated market values. They aren’t guarantees of what an individual homeowner will recover.
Nevertheless, the findings illustrate just how valuable a well-designed exterior improvement can be.
Source: 2025 Cost vs. Value Report — Rapid City, South Dakota, published by Zonda and available through the Journal of Light Construction.
Before You Remodel Your Kitchen, Consider Your Siding
Kitchens and bathrooms are often considered the gold standard of home remodeling investments.
And for good reason. They’re important spaces that homeowners use every day.
But the Cost vs. Value Report illustrates why exterior improvements deserve just as much consideration.
Nationally, fiber-cement siding replacement is estimated to recover 113.7% of its cost, slightly outperforming a midrange minor kitchen remodel at 112.9%.
Manufactured stone veneer performs even more impressively, with an estimated national return of 207.9%.
Of course, a kitchen remodel can dramatically improve your daily experience inside your home. But if increasing resale value is one of your primary goals, it may be worth looking at your home’s exterior before committing to an expensive interior renovation.
We should also note that a comparable return on a kitchen remodel is only for a minor mid-range remodel. Minor is not full cabinet and flooring replacement but just refacing and maybe new appliances. Major remodels, especially in the mid- and high-end ranges, see much lower returns.
Why Fiber-Cement Siding Is Such a Smart Investment
Not all siding materials offer the same combination of appearance, durability, maintenance requirements, and long-term value.
Fiber-cement siding has become a popular choice for homeowners who want a more upscale appearance without the ongoing maintenance associated with traditional wood siding.
Its advantages include:
- Long-lasting durability: Properly installed fiber-cement siding can provide decades of service.
- Lower maintenance: Unlike traditional wood siding, fiber cement resists rot and insect damage and generally requires less upkeep.
- Premium curb appeal: Fiber cement can replicate the appearance of traditional wood siding, with attractive textures, profiles, and architectural details.
- Weather resistance: When properly installed as part of a complete exterior system, fiber cement performs well in demanding climates like the Black Hills.
While fiber cement generally costs more upfront than vinyl siding, its appearance, durability, and maintenance characteristics can make it an attractive long-term investment.
And with the 2025 national report estimating that homeowners recover approximately 114% of their fiber-cement siding investment through increased resale value, the financial argument is compelling.
Manufactured Stone Veneer: A Little Can Go a Long Way
One of the most effective ways to elevate the appearance of a home during a siding replacement is to incorporate manufactured stone veneer.
Stone accents can transform an otherwise ordinary exterior into something that feels more substantial, sophisticated, and custom-built.
The key is that you don’t need to cover your entire home in stone to achieve that effect.
Strategically incorporating stone around entryways, garage doors, columns, or other architectural features can dramatically change a home’s appearance.
Manufactured stone veneer is typically made from cement-based materials designed to replicate the texture and appearance of natural stone. Because these products are generally lighter and less labor-intensive to install than traditional full-depth masonry, they can offer a more economical way to achieve a premium stone appearance.
The reported financial returns are particularly impressive, both nationally and here in Rapid City.
However, the study evaluates a specific manufactured stone veneer project, rather than every possible stone accent installation. Actual returns will depend on the home’s architecture, the scope of the project, and local market conditions.
The broader takeaway is simple: Sometimes a relatively small architectural improvement can make a disproportionately large difference in a home’s perceived value.
When paired with attractive, durable siding, strategically placed stone accents can create a dramatic exterior transformation.
Beyond ROI: The Value of Livability
Resale value is important, but it’s only part of the equation.
Unless you’re planning to sell your home immediately, you’ll also benefit from the improvements you make while you’re living there.
We call this livability.
Consider the difference between living in a home with aging, faded, or deteriorating siding and one with a beautiful, freshly renovated exterior.
There’s the satisfaction of pulling into your driveway and loving how your home looks.
There’s the convenience of spending less time worrying about maintenance and repairs.
And there’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home’s exterior has been professionally installed using durable, high-quality materials.
These benefits don’t necessarily appear in an ROI calculation, but they contribute to the overall value of your investment.
In many ways, siding replacement allows you to enjoy the benefits of your renovation every single day.
Beyond Resale Value: The Importance of Sellability
There’s another benefit of exterior improvements that deserves attention: sellability.
Resale value measures how much money an improvement may add to your home’s selling price.
Sellability is about how attractive and marketable your home is to potential buyers.
Think about the experience of shopping for a house.
Before a buyer ever walks through the front door, they’ve probably already seen photos of the exterior. And when they arrive for a showing, the home’s appearance immediately influences their first impression.
Beautiful siding, complementary stone accents, and a well-maintained exterior can help create a positive impression before buyers even step inside.
Conversely, worn or deteriorating siding may raise concerns about maintenance, hidden damage, or future expenses.
While there’s no guarantee that new siding will make a home sell faster, an attractive, well-maintained exterior can be an important advantage when competing for buyers’ attention.
Resale value is what your home may be worth. Sellability is how appealing your home is to the people who might buy it.
A well-planned exterior renovation can contribute to both.
Making a Smart Investment in Your Home
Every home is different, and not every renovation makes financial sense for every homeowner.
The condition of your existing siding, your home’s architectural style, your budget, and how long you plan to stay in the property should all influence your decision.
For some homeowners, a straightforward siding replacement may be the best investment.
For others, upgrading to fiber-cement siding or incorporating manufactured stone accents may create a more dramatic transformation.
And sometimes, relatively small design decisions—such as adding contrasting trim, accent colors, or stone around an entryway—can make a significant difference in the finished appearance.
The goal shouldn’t simply be to spend more money on your home.
It should be to invest in improvements that deliver the greatest combination of financial return, everyday enjoyment, and long-term appeal.
At Weather-Tite Exteriors, we help homeowners throughout Rapid City and the Black Hills evaluate their exterior renovation options, compare materials, and develop solutions that balance appearance, performance, and budget.
If you’re considering replacing your siding, we’d be happy to help you explore which improvements could make the biggest difference for your home.
Because sometimes, the smartest investment you can make in your home isn’t inside at all.
It’s on the outside.
Source and Attribution
Data referenced from the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, published by Zonda and available through the Journal of Light Construction (JLC). The report compares estimated project costs and resale values for standardized remodeling projects across U.S. markets. Figures represent estimated cost recouped, not guaranteed financial returns.
View the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report for Rapid City, South Dakota
