Summer is the time for beach trips, barbecues, and relaxation. It’s also the best time of the year to complete the home improvement projects on your to-do list. Eager to renovate your home, but don’t know where to start? Read this article to get some ideas on how to upgrade the interior and exterior of your home while the sun shines brightest.
Why Summer is Prime Time for Home Improvements
- Optimal Weather – Clear skies and warm temperatures lift the mood of most people. The picturesque atmosphere of the summer months provides the perfect environment to get out and work on home renovations.
- Longer Days – The extended amount of sunlight gives you more time to work on projects without having to rig up some lighting during the night, allowing you to finish work on a shorter timeline.
- Seasonal Efficiency – The combination of fine weather and longer days makes summer the most efficient time to explore your DIY projects with more confidence and ease.
Project Planning Tips
Going into any home redesign project without a plan is a recipe for disaster. Here are some words of advice on how to make a plan for your project:
- Set a Budget – Understand how much money you are willing to spend to establish the scope of the project before you start.
- Determine Your Timeline – Creating a realistic schedule focuses the work and sets clear expectations for what progress looks like.
- Find a Contractor You Trust – Home improvement projects are a real undertaking. You have to be confident that the contractors you hire for the job have the professionalism, talent, and consistency to finish the project at the highest level possible.
Exterior Summer Home Improvement Projects
Roofing Solutions
It can be easy for your roof to be out of sight, out of mind, but taking measures to fortify your roof against heavy storms is important to keeping your home in top condition. Snowy winters and rainy springs can cause some real water damage to your roofs and gutters, diminishing the appearance of your home and potentially impacting the strength of the foundation. While it’s tempting to take on such projects yourself, hiring local professionals to install new parts or renovate current infrastructure is the best way to ensure that all issues with your roof are correctly identified and repaired.
Siding & Exterior Coatings
The precipitation associated with winter and spring also leads to some wear and tear for your exterior coatings. Now is the time to inspect your home for faded paint, holes or tears in your siding, and any signs of mold build-up. Any of these techniques can help revive the look of your home:
- Tex-Cote – Tex-Cote exterior coatings are ten times thicker than standard paint, protecting the surface of your home with more longevity and consistency. Tex-Cote’s unique properties also reduce wall temperatures, which can help you save money on energy bills since your home won’t get as hot.
- Pressure Washing – Pressure washing is a simple way to restore exterior surfaces by removing dirt and grime that has accumulated over the preceding months. Direct the spray downward to avoid sending water into any cracks. A lower-pressure setting should be used on more sensitive surfaces. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you may be able to rent one from a local hardware store.
- A Fresh Paint Job – A new coat of paint is the most straightforward method of changing your home’s appearance. Summer is the right time for it. The warmer climate helps the paint cure properly and maintain its shine for a longer stretch of time.
- Caulking – Some cracks and crevices can be resolved with some new caulk in place of the old supply. If your vinyl siding has significant damage or the damage has occurred over a larger area, it’s best to bring in professional help.
Window Replacement
Replacing old windows enhances the energy efficiency of your home and provides more UV protection from the sun’s rays. If a full-on replacement isn’t in the cards, then getting your windows cleaned is a more affordable way to spruce up your home’s style.
Patio Covers & Outdoor Living Spaces
The summer glow beckons us to spend more time outdoors, so it’s sensible that transforming your patio and outdoor spaces is a popular renovation project this time of year. Adding new luxuries to your deck or porch can make your house the center of future parties, family events, or simply allow you to get the most out of your downtime. Some ways to revitalize an outdoor space include:
- Adding a patio cover to shade the area
- Installing an exterior lighting system
- Refurbishing the deck
- Buying new outdoor furniture to fit a specific aesthetic
Landscaping & Pavers
Landscaping projects are a great way to display your creativity and incorporate the beauty of the natural world into your home. A well-manicured lawn with vibrant flowers or plants creates a wholesome vibe that is appreciated by anyone who witnesses its splendor. Plant life also provides a cooling effect in the surrounding area. If you choose to add new vegetation to your house, be sure that they are native to the environment. Native plants need less water and maintenance, making their addition a win-win for you and the environment.
Interior Summer Home Improvement Projects
Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels
The allure of summer fun also opens opportunities for interior home improvement projects. With people spending more time outdoors, you now have the space to take on a kitchen or bathroom remodel. These are two areas that experience the most foot traffic and are often vulnerable to wear and tear as a result. A new kitchen or bathroom remodel can make the rooms more welcoming or increase their functionality with new equipment.
HVAC Tune-ups & Upgrades
Replacing air filters is not the most glamorous example of home maintenance, but doing so is vital to keeping you and everyone else in your home healthy throughout the year. Dirty or damaged air filters distribute dust through your home, polluting the air with allergens. New filters and other upgrades to your HVAC system will keep your friends and family healthier in the long run. Filters with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 provide the best protection.
Insulation Upgrades
It’s best to be proactive when it comes to home improvement projects, especially when it comes to insulation. No one wants to freeze when winter returns. Installing insulation upgrades before you need them ensures that you’ll be warm and cozy as the temperature drops.
Benefits of Summer Home Improvements
The notion of some home improvements may initially sound daunting or put a strain on your budget, but they can improve your quality of life in several ways. Here are the main benefits of completing summer projects:
- Increased Property Value – Investing in home upgrades can elevate your curb appeal and raise the house’s property value on the real estate market. Kitchen and bathroom remodels, in particular, offer a high return on investment.
- Energy Efficiency – Projects like replacing old windows or upgrading your insulation keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer during the winter, keeping you comfortable through every season.
- Future-Proofing – Proactive work on home improvement projects addresses potential problems before they negatively impact your quality of life.
- A Better Home Experience – Each home improvement project enables you and any visitors to enjoy the time spent at your home a little more than they did previously. Those small gains go a long way.
Planning Your Summer Project with Quality First Home Improvement
Taking care of home improvement projects on your own sounds like an attractive proposition to some, but the work can be overwhelming if you don’t have the necessary skills or support to complete the job. Quality First is here to provide the expertise and know-how to deliver terrific service to all of our clients.
Our commitment to excellence isn’t just represented in our name. It comes through in everything we do. Our team will keep you informed on every step of the process to ensure that the project is moving forward in line with your standards. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and quote today.
Image credit: Alberto Masnovo/ Shutterstock
