Top Summer Home Improvement Trends and Ideas
Summer means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some people, it means the perfect opportunity to attend BBQs and go to the beach. For a homeowner, it represents the perfect opportunity to spruce up the home. The rain, the snow, and the ice can wreak havoc on the home. As a result, summertime is great for mending some of the damage the home must have taken during the harsher seasons.
The improvements one makes during summer can be simple costing only a little money or significant upgrades to the home. There are so many improvements one can make to their home during the summer months. However, being able to narrow those down to these few ideas will have a greater impact. It could ensure that the home’s value goes up.
Clear up The Solar Panels
Solar panels have become quite popular in the recent past. One reason for this is that they help people to save up on their electricity bill. In addition, there are many incentives provided by government agencies. However, solar panels work according to how much light they receive.
A transparent plastic cover covers solar panels. This cover tends to get cloudy with time. The reason for this is due to the accumulation of dirt. Simply washing away this dirt is not enough. One needs to ensure that it stays off for much longer. Acetone and clear nail polish are all that is needed. Immediately after wiping the solar panels with cotton dipped in acetone, one should apply the nail polish. It is best to apply the clear nail polish before acetone dries. It will ensure that it sticks on for much longer. The nail polish prevents dirt from collecting on the solar panels.
Install a Wooden Deck
A wooden deck is one of the best ways to increase a home value. Best of all, one does not have to make any alterations to the house. It is also a great opportunity for a family to spend quality time together on the deck. During the sale of the home, the wooden deck will be able to recoup its initial investment through increased home value. Wooden decks are preferred because they are cheaper. On average, it will cost the homeowner about $1,200. Best of all, a wood deck is excellent at retaining initial value.
Installing a House Fan
The summer months can be quite hot. As a result, the energy bill for cooling down the house may be quite high. For instance, the refrigerator may use up more energy to keep food cool. The house fan pulls air out through the attic and helps to keep the circulation of air fresh. It can help to make summer bearable. A house fan cost about $1,200. However, this is a very delicate piece of equipment. The installation needs to be done by a professional. It will help ensure that the house fan does not become noisy.
Install New Windows
Window installation is a popular home improvement activity in summer. It is the perfect investment for an old raggedy home. Old home tend to be energy inefficient due to the type of windows installed. In most cases, they contribute to a high cooling bill. Modern windows are more energy efficient. As a result, they can help to reduce the energy bill.
Dual panel windows are the best way to go. In addition, to being energy efficient, they also contribute to reduced noise levels. Besides that, the home looks better with new windows installed. It is important to note that permits have to be acquired.It is the case when one wants to cut holes in the wall. The installation guy should already know about this. You can also use home window tinting on all your existing windows to protect you from the harmful UV rays and it’s damage to the home furniture. Also window tinting can benefit you long term by reducing your cooling costs as the tinted window regulated the room temperature and keeps it cool.
Landscaping
Landscaping is an awesome activity for the summer months. It gives the first impressions of the home for buyers and visitors. If it is well done, the value of the home will shoot up by about 28%. Good landscaping defines the kind of people one should expect to find in the home. In most cases, it is quite cheap. It only costs about $3,000.
Befog the work begins; the homeowner must do their research. They need some idea of what they think works best for them. They can then pass this idea to the landscaper for fine tuning. It ensures one has a design that is appealing to them but is done in a professional manner.
Clean the pool
Taking a swim is a great activity during the summer. However, this means that there is a higher amount of debris getting into the water. Besides that, the water chemistry will change more often. Keeping it clean is essential for fun. Cleaning a pool is relatively easy. However, it will end up taking a lot of one’s time. Thus, one can hire an expert to do it. It will ensure that it is always clean at all the time. In addition, it does not cost that much.
Pressure Cleaning
Over time, dirt, mold, and debris collect on the walls of the home. It can make the home look older than it is. It can reduce the value of the home slightly. In addition, mold can cause the wood to rot. Pressure washing helps to make the home look as good as new. In most cases, pressure washing is a simple job. It only costs $100. However, if someone does it themselves, they may not do it well. One should hire a professional for the best results.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
These types of thermostats cost very little. In addition, most home buyers now have it as one of their requirements. Not only will it make it easier to sell the home, but it will also mean one can ask for a higher price. The device allows the homeowner to adjust the temperature setting of their home all day.
According to researchers, this can add up to $180 each year. In the latest trends, some thermostats have Wi-Fi capabilities. These devices are controlled using a smartphone. It is estimated they help reduce the energy bill by about 15%.
Pinecone Beds
Pine cones are quite easy to find. One can either collect some on a hike or purchase them at a local store. Pinecones are a great deterrent to tiny critters that attack flower beds. In addition, they look quite pretty. Small critters do not like being poked in the feet as the dig around the flowerbed. As a result, they will keep off. It will ensure that has a beautiful flower garden throughout the summer. Pine cones will also help to deter small kids from walking into the flowerbed to pick flowers.
Spray Paint the Pebbles
Most people have pebbles between the tiles on the outside path. Summertime is the perfect opportunity to make full use of them. One can spray paint these pebbles to keep them looking great during the day. In addition, one can use their favorite color. The spray paint used should glow in the dark. It will give the backyard a mystique glow during the night. The glowing pebbles make it the perfect night out for a BBQ.
Seal In the Weeds
Weeds are always managing to grow through cracks in the concrete. They can be quite irritating, especially since it is difficult to know where they will pop up next. However, summer is the perfect time to get rid of them. Concrete crack sealant works great. It helps to keep the weeds without sunlight, causing them to die. In addition, it helps to improve the appearance of the concrete.
A Pillow Quilt
Summer is the perfect time to stay outdoors. A pillow quilt is an awesome addition the fun of summer. It helps ensure that one can spend longer outside. In addition, it is an awesome way to enjoy late night picnics outdoors. All on has to do is sew the corner of these pillows together. Ideally one can use the old pillows they have at home. Alternatively, one can purchase pillows at the local home goods store. A pillow quilt is a perfect way to make the summer months fun.
Rope Swings
Summer is all about fun. There are few things kids like more than a rope swing. However, one should keep in mind a few things. For one, the base of the rope swing needs to be quite firm. In addition, only a natural rope should be used. Nylon tends to stretch out with time. A stretchy swing can be quite dangerous. Making the rope swing is relatively easy. One will also need a plank of wood to act as the base of the swing.
Summer is a fun time to see the outdoors. It also presents a perfect opportunity to do activities that would be hard in other months. One should never pass up the chance to try some of these things. In most cases, they cost very little. Besides, they could raise the home of the value. Thus, they turn out to be an investment.
