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Top Springtime Home Improvements

By
Industry Observer with Spectrum Communications

Even though many corners of the world are still shaking off the lingering frost and chill of a prolonged winter, springtime is officially here. As always, the shifting towards a warmer season gives homeowners an excellent opportunity to reinforce vulnerable areas exposed by the harsh elements, and renovate aging or outdated features that simply don’t enrich their abode as much as they once did.

Since spring is a transitional season known as a time of full renewal, many homeowners are immediately swept up by the feverous winds of change, often opting for large-scale home improvements that offer varying recoup rates. If you’re wondering which projects you should prioritize, here’s a mix of high and low-intensity remodels that will enhance your home’s durability and curb appeal.

Landscaping

This is a large category that can entail many things, but I’ve left it open-ended to ensure those not born with a green thumb that they can beautify their home’s exterior without a ton of effort or horticultural knowledge. Something as simple as adding a few planters seeded with brightly colored flowers could add the pop you need. Also, keeping up with even the most basic maintenance tasks, like spraying for insects or applying a top layer of mulch on parts of your lawn will make you more mindful of what it takes to properly care for your home’s exterior.

Deck Maintenance

If your deck was covered by a lot of snow or sleet this winter, it’s a good idea to check your surface materials to see how much they were affected. The most cost-effective solution is to power wash your deck to remove any lingering dirt and grime, then re-stain with a richly hued, waterproof treatment, especially if you have a wooden deck. Some homeowners may opt for a more comprehensive change, by replacing wood paneling with a more resilient, weatherproof composite material.

Gutter Replacement

Though unassuming, a home’s guttering system is crucial. A top-flight gutter will not only divert run-off away from your foundation, but prevent potential clogs and stagnant water build-up. Many of the most popular gutter systems are packaged in a way to allow for intuitive installation—even for first-timers. They also, often, include built-in screens for additional channel protection.

Even if this to-do was never at the top of your spring project shortlist, we recommend making it an honorable mention since so many home nightmares are spurred by poor home drainage, including foundational soil erosion, trapped moisture behind siding panels, and leaks in low-lying areas, such as basements and crawlspaces.

Installing Skylights

Whether you live in a metropolitan area filled with tall buildings or under the big, open skies of a relatively more rural locale, like Cedar Rapids, replacement windows are often a good bet when it comes to springtime home renovation. This is especially true if there are areas of your home that you love to inhabit, but don’t offer the amount of natural light that you desire.

If you are considering installing skylights, there are many considerations to make, including the unit’s energy-efficiency, wind resistance, and noise reduction qualities. You’ll also want to account for the surface area of your roof, to ensure that it isn’t dominated by one or more skylights.

Spring Toward Your New Home

There’s no shortage of springtime remodeling options. In fact, there are so many possibilities that some homeowners have difficulty deciding which project will yield the best value. As you choose your to-dos for the season, always keep in mind what your ideal level of investment is—both physically and financially—and what your home needs after a long, and potentially arduous winter.

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