By Donald E. Lipman


There has been a significant trend toward green home improvement projects over the past several years if not more. This should really come to no surprise, though, when you consider the ever-increasing cost of fossil fuels. Many homeowners have been investing in their home so that they can save some money in the long term. Also, the value of the house goes up if there is an energy system that's green and efficient installed. Being proactive, like installing some energy efficient windows that have an Energy Star rating, will add to the worth of your house as well as save you some money on the bills. If you haven't contemplated doing any of these steps in the past then you may want to think about them.

One typical but often necessary improvement project is taking care of your gutters. No, most people hate doing them and you cannot play with them once you are finished. But letting your gutters go can be very costly in the long run if leaks cause foundation damage to your home. If your house foundation becomes compromised, then you are looking at possibly major expenses to repair it.

If you have to get your gutters replaced, then picking out the most suitable materials for the price can be a huge difference. For instance, aluminium is not as expensive because it will run you about five to ten dollars per foot. Plus, it is a lighter material, so it is not that hard to work with. Let us talk about the energy efficiency of the doors in your home, which might not be too good if you have an older home. Because they have been awarded energy efficiency ratings, you should always try to get newer doors for your home. One of the most important things that you do concerning your home is making certain that the door frames have the proper seals around them. You can even purchase additional sealants such as magnetic weather strips and bottom expanders to properly seal all openings. You can make the reinforcement even better by utilizing bottom sweeps which is normally made with vinyl.

New cabinets are not necessary for reviving an old kitchen. There is a process known as refacing that can really transform your cabinets. This is effective for drawers too and not just cabinets. New hardware is one more way to make a big difference in the look of your kitchen. Refacing does use solid wood but in a very thin layer. This makes the project a little more attractive to people with restricted budgets.

You should get them inspected on a yearly basis for possible leaks, corrosion or damage. If you have hard water, then this means that a larger amount of mineral deposits can accumulate. In addition, your hot water pipes should have some type of insulation. If so, then you can do a quick inspection of the insulation since you will have to remove it to check the pipes. Planning ahead can save you a lot of time, money, and headache no matter what your home improvement project happens to be. Start planning now to avoid costly mistakes and endless frustration.




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