We talk a lot about the role the garage door plays in a home’s curb appeal. So we are thrilled to report that designers from HGTV’s “Curb Appeal: The Block” are using Clopay garage doors for two makeovers going on now in Northern California. The details are hush, hush until air time but we can give you a hint – they needed a modern glass door to complete the transformation. Stay tuned for the air date.

Speaking of investing in curb appeal, Remodeling magazine has just issued its 2010 -11 Cost vs. Value Report, and nine of the top 10 value-yielding projects ranked by realtors are exterior replacements including entry doors and updated garage doors. 

In fact, garage door and entry door replacement top the list of home improvements that create a good ROI – netting the No. 1 and number 2 spots, respectively. These improvements come above roof repair (56 percent ROI), major kitchen remodel (64 percent) or a bathroom addition (48 percent) -- all much higher-cost projects.

According to the real estate agents interviewed, small, inexpensive changes that make a big impact – like updated garage doors – bring more reliable returns. The report indicates that spending $1,500 on a garage door can yield a $1,168 ROI – nearly 80 percent.

Entry doors also made the “worth the money” cut, as the report showed spending $1,440 on a steel entry door could yield a 74 percent return. 

This is the first year Remodeling magazine has included garage door replacement projects on both their midrange and the upscale project lists. Both projects rank high in their respective categories, for two main reasons: they are among the least expensive projects in the survey, and they improve curb appeal in a way that can affect a potential buyer’s first impression and, consequently, a home’s resale value.

To view the complete study, visithttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/2010/costvsvalue/national.aspx