Renovating your house can be quite challenging, especially if you aim to renovate something that has been used for more than a decade.
Well, not all renovations require huge budgets and complete renovation of the existing structure. Some minor outdoor renovations only require the use of simple tools plus creativity and will come out wonderful.
You have to know what these best home renovation ideas for winter are so you can do them on your own without hiring any contractors or doing it yourself by reading some books on DIY projects.
Here is an informative article about five great ideas on home renovation to improve your home.
Five Outdoor Renovations Projects for Winter
1. Fixing the leaking roof
To avoid water damage inside the house, one of the essential renovations is to fix the leaking roof. If you have a flat or shingle roof, the solution would be as simple as finding out where the water is coming from and stopping it up using some form of flashing material such as sheet metal. However, if you have an older house with shake roofs, there might be a bigger problem. A cedar shake shingle roof will generally last longer, so this may be one option if you’re looking for a more durable material. To stop any further leakage of your roof, making new flashings will do the trick, so basically all you have to do is remove mouldy or cracked flashings and replace them by cutting some new ones from aluminum sheeting, galvanized steel or copper sheets available at your nearest hardware store. Replace these damaged areas with new ones to stop further damage.
2. Painting the exterior of your house
Painting the exterior of your house makes it look fresh and protects it from weathering, corrosion or rusting, which causes holes on the walls and peeling paint. It provides an additional layer of protection plus enhances the facade appearance making you proud to show off your home. However, if you have a brick house, this renovation will be different because each course should be pointed with mortar so water won’t penetrate through them, causing bigger cracks and leaks. If there are big gaps between bricks, it is recommended to fill them up using hydraulic cement or masonry paint. You can always consult a contractor for advice if you want to fix it carefully.
3. Plant some trees to increase the appeal and curb appeal of your house
Granted that you live in Canada or someplace with a really cold winter, planting some trees can change the view, especially if you own a house with a boring landscape. It will be more inviting for passersby to look at your yard, plus it blocks cold winds coming from the north, so there’s no need to turn on your heater all day long, even during winter. You can plant deciduous trees which are broad-leaved and lose their leaves during fall so they won’t obstruct sunlight needed by evergreen plants. There are also evergreen trees planted for this purpose, but they don’t necessarily block winds because evergreens still let wind pass through them. However, they are a good choice in a place with a milder winter.
4. Make an outdoor fireplace or chimney
One of the most common problems homeowners deal with every winter is how to keep themselves warm, especially during cold nights, without spending too much on heating bills. Well, if you own a house, then having an outdoor fireplace known as a chimney will solve this problem. It uses firewood to create heat that can be reused inside your house for free, which helps reduce energy consumption and lower heating expenses. You have to check whether your local ordinances permit any fires outside so you don’t get ticketed by law enforcers for doing it illegally. Otherwise, they may fine you up to $500 plus impounding your equipment so be sure to ask it first before building your outdoor fireplace.
5. Planting evergreens in the front yard
Having evergreen plants in the front yard is like bringing nature inside your home, which gives you comfort and warmth during winter, plus gives your house curb appeal to neighbours or passersby. You can plant coniferous trees such as spruce, pine, cedar, hemlock, all of which are evergreen plants that let wind pass through them plus, they also give good shade for summer seasons while holding snow during winter. If you don’t like to go with evergreen plants, there are other choices available while still giving you the same effect as deciduous trees, but bear in mind that these will block sunlight needed by other plants.
We hope we’ve given you some great ideas on home renovation for winter. Whether you choose one or two renovations like adding plants, installing new lighting fixtures, or completing every project listed in this article, there are many ways to spruce up those outdoor areas! The best way to survive the winter is by making your house cozy and warm, which will make it a much more enjoyable time of year for all.
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