Congratulations, you’re now a homeowner, but this is only the beginning. The hardest part about homeownership is maintaining the home. To do that, you have to outsmart the biggest threat it faces—the weather. Whether you live in a tropical paradise or the snowy mountains of Colorado, you’ll need to do many things to keep your structure safe and sound. Most of these will not require a contractor’s skills, though it will help if you can get one to install a new roof.
Upgrade Your Roof
Metal roofs are resistant to extreme weather conditions. They can withstand rain, snow, and heat. Call a metal roofing company near you to ask for a quotation. They come either in aluminum, copper, zinc, or stainless steel. You can choose between panels and shingles. Metal roofs last longer than wood or asphalt. They look great for all types of houses—single-detached, bungalow, cabin, contemporary, and classic.
Insulate Your Home
Whether you live in a warm or cold country, make sure that your home is well-insulated. Check your attic and basement for cracks where heat or cold can get in. If there are gaps between your window and the wall or your door and the flooring, fill that gap with insulation foam. This is one of the most important things you can do to keep energy costs down.
Use Technology
A smart home system is relatively cheaper these days compared to when it was first introduced. A programmable thermostat will only cost $180 to install. It can better control the heating and cooling of your home. You can choose one that you can control with a remote or smartphone. Most of these systems are integrated into your smartphone, so you can turn it on and off even when you’re not at home.
Choose the Right Paint
Homeowners don’t always see the exterior paint as a layer of defense against weather elements. The truth is that exterior paint plays a huge role in your home’s maintenance. Harsh ultraviolet rays will cause the paint to crack and peel, while the cold temperature can cause it to expand and contract. Technology has gone a long way in this regard. You can get specially formulated paint that’s right for the conditions where you live.
Cover the Fireplace
The fireplace looks nice, right? But when you are not using it, cold or warm air can get out through the chimney. Make sure to close the flue when you don’t need to use the fireplace. You can also ask a contractor to install a balloon that will inflate to keep the air from escaping. When heat is present, the balloon will deflate.
Install Storm Windows
Are your windows still structurally sound? You may think about installing storm windows. Whether you live in a warm or cold place, storm windows work great because they level the temperature inside your home. It adds an extra layer of protection against the cold air and keeps the hot weather from entering your home.
Insulate Your Water Heater
The water heater tank loses some of the heat through the sides. When this happens, especially during winter, the heater will have to work double to regain the heat. Insulating the water heater can prevent this from happening. It will also save you as much as 25% to 40% of your energy consumption.
Weatherproofing your home isn’t just about making sure it is structurally sound and will last for a long time. It’s also about saving on the cost of energy, the brunt of which you will feel monthly. By saving a hundred bucks each month on your electric bill, you gain more financial footing in maintaining your home.
