Home Improvement Ideas For The Winter

The cold weather has well and truly set in and if you’re in the UK, you may have had some snow this year! When the colder weather arrives, there’s nothing better than snuggling up at home, but is your home prepared for the winter? Harsh weather conditions can damage parts of your home, causing you to feel the cold more than normal. Take a look at these home improvement ideas for the winter time to prevent this from happening to you!

Home Improvement Ideas

Check your loft and roof

Bad weather such as wind and rain can damage the structural integrity of your roof, causing tiles to break, slip, or even move out of place. When this happens, it exposes your loft to these weather conditions, meaning cold air can easily get into your home and the warm air escapes easier. Check your roof for any missing or slipped tiles, and inspect your loft to see if there’s any damage to the insulation. If there is, replacing it now will make your home much more cosy this winter.

Replace your windows

Your windows are another source that could be letting warm air out and cold air into your home. Over time, the frames of your windows will warp due to use and even the sun in the summertime. If you’re feeling a draught from your windows – even if you’ve got double glazing – it might be time for new windows. Did you know that you can now buy triple glazing windows for your home? Investing in new windows will keep your home warm this year and for many years to come, not to mention sprucing up the look of your windows on both the inside and the outside.

Dig out thicker furnishings

If you’re the type that loves to constantly change the look of their home throughout the year, then you should consider digging out – or buying – thicker furnishings for your home. Things like:

Thicker curtains
Warm throws
Scatter cushions
Thicker bed spreads
Rugs

Will help keep your home warm and toasty throughout the winter months.

Tint your windows

When you think of tinted windows, your mind probably goes straight to car windows. However, there are such things as tinted windows for your home too, and they can be super useful in the winter time and other seasons too! They help with an array of things, such as:

Keeping the cold out
In the summer months, keeping your home cooler
Prevents your furniture from becoming bleached by the sun
Adds privacy to your home, preventing burglars from peering in at your possessions

Consider adding a tint to your windows to help keep your home nice and toasty this winter!

Buy draught excluders

Even the smallest of gaps under or around your doors can let a cold breeze in, and during the winter time that’s the last thing you want! Buy draught excluders for the doors around your home to help keep the heat in and the cold out! If particular rooms – usually larger rooms – are harder to keep warm than others, consider buying draught excluders for your internal crittall doors as well as your external doors. You’ll be surprised how much heat you’ll be able to retain!

Alternatively, if you’re still feeling a breeze or the gaps around your doors are around the sides, you could hang a thick curtain in front of the door to close at night during the winter months. This will help your home retain more heat overnight when it’s likely to be colder.

…Or replace old doors

If you don’t want the hassle of draught excluders or curtains, the other option is to replace your old external doors! Having new doors fitted by a professional will help ensure the door is fitted snugly to the doorframe, preventing any cold air from entering your home. Timber is a natural insulator, so try and look for a door that’s going to help you retain as much heat as possible in your home. New doors will also help spruce up your curb appeal!

Clear out your gutters

Over the course of a year, the guttering and pipes in your homes will have accumulated lots of debris and leaves. Blocked pipes can lead to rainfall that does not drain well off your roof. Water collects in places that it should not, and leaks inside your home!

You could hire someone to come and do it for you if you’re not keen on the idea of going up a ladder to clear out your gutters and pipes. Alternatively, it’s a far more stable option to help clear your pipes if you can get your hands on some scaffolding.

Have your boiler serviced

During the winter months, you’ll want your heating to be constantly ticking over, and when you need it most, there’s nothing worse than a broken boiler. It will help prolong the life of your boiler and save you money in the long run by having it serviced now rather than waiting until it breaks to call someone out.

It is essential not to try to service the boiler on your own or for a cheaper price. Maintenance of the boiler requires knowledge of how a boiler works and how to work with gas safely. In the long run, it’s best to leave it to the professionals for your health and your wallet. As part of your tariff, your gas provider may offer boiler maintenance, so it’s worth checking!

Sweep your chimney

Before the colder months set in, it’s a good idea to have your chimney swept, especially if you’re likely to use your fire often. While it is less effort to hire someone, and considerably less sooty, buying your own chimney sweeping set may work out cheaper in the long run. You might only need to use it once or twice a year, but each year you’d save money by not paying someone else to do it!

Sand your decking

Finally, you will be very aware of how slippery it can become in winter if you have decking in your garden. If you regularly use your decking to enter or leave your home, consider putting some sand on your deck to help add additional grip as you walk over it.