Now that summer has well and truly waved goodbye to, there are a few things you want to tick off your to-do list at home. Instead of opening up your windows and allowing the fresh air to breeze through the house, you will be looking to insulate your home more and find more efficient ways to heat your home. Your end of summer home checklist has well and truly begun and it is getting longer by the minute. You will need to spend a little bit of time focusing on the smaller details in your home. If you usually get caught out during the winter months, then now is the time to get prepared ahead of the game. These ideas are bound to make your home more cost effective in the winter months, so that you and your family can keep warm when the temperature drops. If you have small children it can be very stressful trying to keep your home warm all winter seasons, so these warming techniques will put your mind at ease and give you a comforting, cosy home as soon as Jack Frost strikes.
Windows and Doors
When winter approaches it is often essential to upgrade your windows or doors in order to conserve energy and reduce unwanted draughts or breezes. Replacement Windows with durable seals against water, air and noise reduction will help your home to feel warmer and cosier throughout the colder months. Choose a brand new style to inject new life into your home and enhance the winter vibes; you will quickly be able to notice the difference once you have reduced the airflow into your home.
Innovative Insulation
Insulating your home will help you to save on energy bills and will act as a barrier to heat loss. Newly fitted windows and doors will help with this, but there are also many other tweaks you can make to your home. Consider adding wall insulation, as this will help you save up to an extra twenty perfect of energy overall. Your flooring can also contribute to a tonne of heat loss during the winter, so consider thick carpets and rugs to help seal in the energy. You might want to consult the fitting company, who can recommend the best option for your personal circumstances.
Roof Repair
Cracks and gaps in your roof or ceiling will be the biggest cause of wasted energy in your home, so this is the most important aspect to fix before the cold weather hits. If you have a glass roof in a conservatory this will also be very important to insulate, because the energy lost in there will have a knock on effect when it comes to the rest of the temperature in your house.
Tips for carrying out roof maintenance and repairsIf you do have issues with your roof, it is always best to get them checked out by a professional. Problems such as holes in the roof, worn flashing and areas that are vulnerable to adverse weather can get worse over the course of time, particularly during the cold, wet winter months. Contact reputable roofing firms, seek advice and compare quotes. Read client reviews and make sure that roofers have the necessary experience and expertise. It’s also a good idea to conduct research so that you have a better understanding of the type of roof you have and the issues that may need fixing. You can research online or contact roofers to learn more about the
differences between dimensional and 3-tab shingles, gauge average costs and ask questions about how long work takes and whether it’s best to look at short-term fixes or long-term solutions. It is usually best to opt for the best value quote, rather than the cheapest price.
Savvy Soft Furnishings
Making your furniture feel more comfy and cosy during the winter is one of the easiest changes you can make throughout your home. Instead of uninviting, bare leather sofas, invest in a warm fluffy throw and cushions to create a more wintery atmosphere. You should also consider changing up your duvet to a thicker model; this will help you stay warm during the cooler months. Change up your duvet and pillow covers to richer and warmer shades to add to the overall effect too.
Calm and Comforting Food
When winter starts to knock on the door, you often need to change up your eating habits whilst at home. You and your family crave more warm and comforting meals instead of sandwiches and salads in the summer. Treat yourself to a new and exciting cookbook and try out a different delicious recipe every evening. You will soon find a family favourite that you can keep reverting back to during the winter, whether it’s a nutritious soup or a hearty pasta dish.
Happy Heating
Now that the temperatures outside have dropped you don’t want to be battling with the thermostat every morning as your icy cold fingers and toes try to climb out of bed in the early hours. Tailor your heating timer to suit your daily routine; most households find it useful to have the heating on in the early hours for a couple of hours, and then it clicks back into action during the early afternoon. Every household will be completely different, so make sure you take your own personal needs into consideration
Accessories and Additions
There are many ways to accessorise for the winter, but candles and open wood fires are some of the most beautiful and warming additions to any household. Be careful when lighting any open flames and make sure you fully extinguish the candle or fire before heading to bed for the evening. There are a whole range of scented candles to choose from, whether it’s fresh pine or gingerbread, you’re bound to get that wintery feel.
You should never feel worried about winter approaching; it’s an exciting time of year that brings families and friends together. If you can take some time out to get your home prepared now before the cold snap strikes you will be able to enjoy every element the winter weather brings. There is nothing more comforting than turning on your fire, sipping on a hot chocolate and snuggling underneath a blanket. The weather might not be super cold right now, but it can quickly creep up on us so make sure you don’t delay your mini home renovations for any longer. Whether you finally need to invest in new windows, improve your winter recipes or find innovative ways to insulate your home, you are bound to find the answer here. In an ideal world it would be just as inexpensive to maintain your home in the winter as it is during the summer months, but the cost of living is increasing dramatically. If you are worried about paying for your winter heating bills, then these insulation techniques will help you to reduce your costs for the upcoming season. You and your family deserve to have a peaceful, warm and happy winter, so prepare your home now and will have fewer worries in the near future.