How To Get Your Home Ready For Winter
Most people think of home improvement as a huge renovation, but it does not have to be. Anything that you do to make your home more comfortable is definitely an improvement. If you want to have a comfortable home this winter, there are a few key things that you should get started. Read the article below to learn what they are.
Seal your windows to prevent air from leaving or getting in. Windows are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to lost energy and warmth. If you want to have a comfortably heated home and save on your energy bill you must do everything you can to have well sealed windows. First, you should apply caulk or another sealant to all of the cracks around your windows. After you have let that dry, you can then cover your windows with plastic. This will almost guarantee that no air is getting in or out, stopping cold drafts in their tracks.
Take a good look at all of your exterior doors. Make sure that they fit the framing well. A poorly fit door will let in a lot of cold air. A new door can be expensive, but the energy that you are losing can cost you even more. Even the best fitting door will let in some air, so you should also invest in a tool to block air flow. There are a number of options out there, so you may need to try a few until you find the one that works best for your door.
Survey the outside of your home. Winter storms can be very hard on your home, especially if it is not in good shape beforehand. To reduce your home's risk of being damaged, you should fix anything that is loose, such as siding, shingles and gutters. Replace anything that is beyond repair. If your home is in good shape before the winter hits, it will be far less likely that it will have major problems during the winter.
Seal the outside of your home. As time passes a home is prone to settling, which can then lead to cracks in the foundation and walls. In order to prevent this from raising your energy bills you should seal these cracks as they form. If you are not sure on the appropriate ways to go about this, you may want to hire a professional. It will cost you money up front, but trust that it will save you money in the long run. One crack can cost you a ton on your heating expenses.
As you read at the start of this article, home improvement does not always involve tearing a room apart and redoing it. Instead, it can just be a process of making your home just a little bit more comfortable for you to live in. Put the tips you just read to use so that you can make your home the cozy haven it should be during the next winter season.
