A great way to spend a cold evening is curling up under the blankets with a cup of hot chocolate. However, a lot of do-it-yourself home repair tasks don't require much work, or even going outside or opening a window, and they'll give your house a new look once the ice begins to melt. Wait until March to put your toolbox away. Discover 10 DIY projects you should finish before the spring equinox by reading on.
Why Finish Winter Improvement Projects at Home?
The long, sunny days of summer make it the most popular season for home renovations. Nevertheless, there are plenty of benefits to finishing some projects in the winter.
Less competition: During the slower season, you may be able to hire the contractor you prefer to work if they are normally booked. Home remodeling companies are less busy.
Reduced costs: Compared to the busiest season, contractors can be more ready to finish the work at a slower pace.
Helps pass the time: Finishing home improvement projects will make you feel accomplished and will make the chilly, miserable days spent inside go by much more quickly.
1. Fill up gaps and insulate
Lower utility costs and cozier evenings when the temperature drops below freezing are two benefits of having a well-insulated home. Find out where you're wasting energy or if the insulation in your home is too thin by having it inspected by a reputable local insulation contractor. The R-value, which measures how well insulation prevents heat from entering or exiting your home, will be computed.
You might need to install more energy-efficient windows or add new insulation to your attic as a result of the inspection. It's possible that you'll find that using insulating spray foam to close up gaps around windows and doors is necessary.
Project completion time: two to five days to two weeks.
2. Hardwood Floor Installation
The best weather for laying new hardwood flooring is during the colder, drier winter months. Dry air helps keep freshly installed boards from gapping, and lower humidity lessens the possibility of water damage. Furthermore, any adhesive used in the installation will cure faster thanks to the chilly air.
Additionally, compared to worn-out older flooring, fresh wood flooring has superior insulating qualities.
Project completion time: two to five days to two weeks.
3. Change Out the Countertops in the Kitchen
Resurfacing your kitchen countertops is a simple way to give this often used space a makeover. It's also an indoor project, which makes it perfect for those chilly January days. With a 72% average return on investment for simple kitchen remodels, this project has the potential to yield significant returns.
Project completion time: one to three days.
4. Modernize the laundry area
Most of the time, you can renovate your laundry room significantly without having to tear down any walls. This implies that you can keep your windows closed because you won't need to worry about dust.
To keep your clothes and supplies organized, add shelving, paint the walls a bright color, and get yourself some new laundry baskets. Additionally, keep in mind that appliances usually go on sale from September through November and again in January if your ten-year-old washer is finally set to pass away.
Project completion time: one to three days
5. Rennovate the Basement
Similar to the laundry room, you may refurbish the basement without needing to let the outside air into your house because it is below ground. Though mold grows easily in this space, the chance is reduced by the dry winter air. After addressing any problems with the current concrete, including cracks, think about changing the flooring, installing new lights, and improving the insulation.
Another option is to renovate your unfinished basement to turn it into a fun or more useful area, such as an office, playroom, or gym.
Project completion time: Several days to two weeks
6. Upgrade Your Lighting Are dim light bulbs scattered through out your home? Replace them all to ensure that your home will always be cheery and bright, even in the absence of sunlight. Consider replacing your outdated light bulbs with natural spectrum ones as well, as they offer the same wide range of natural daylight.
Project completion time: less than one day
7. Paint the Walls Again
Paint dries more quickly in the wintertime atmosphere than it does in the more humid months, much as the cold, dry air affects flooring adhesive. Additionally, paint producers typically provide reduced costs in the winter, saving you money.
Seek out paints with minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which don't require you to open all of the doors and windows after applying the paint. All you'll need is a powerful fan to assist with air circulation.
Project completion time: two days (to give the walls time to dry)
8. Swap Out Hardware
Replacing all the knobs, handles, and even the bathroom faucets may seem like a tiny thing, but it can make a big difference in how your house looks overall. And finishing it only takes a short while.
Project completion time: a couple hours.
9. Replace the batteries in your smoke detector
To ensure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors never unexpectedly lose power, make it a routine to replace them during the winter. The National Fire Protection Association reports that dead, disconnected, or missing batteries were the cause of 71% of smoke alarms that did not function. Moreover, several of these gadgets contain expiration dates that indicate when they need to be changed.
Project completion time: a couple hours.
10. Get Your Yard Ready for the Upcoming Season
When winter arrives, a little maintenance now will guarantee a lush yard come springtime. Insects and rodents won't use your yard as a hiding place or gathering place if you mow and fertilize it to keep the grass short.
Additionally, take out any furniture or pet toys to avoid having dead patches in the grass come spring. Lastly, get rid of any dead trees that are on your land. The surrounding plants won't be as disturbed by removal because of the colder ground.
Project completion time: a couple hours.
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