While there’s a great deal of pride and satisfaction that comes along with owning your very own home, there’s no denying that it can be extremely frustrating, too. Nobody wants to deal with the expensive repairs that always seem to come up when it’s least convenient and taking care of your home can require a lot of time and energy. While it’s impossible to completely avoid dealing with repairs, there are some ways to cut down on the amount of time you spend maintaining your home. In fact, if there’s a component of your home that’s due for replacement, why not look for a low-maintenance alternative? Here are just a few options that could help cut down on the amount of time you spend working on home maintenance.
Flooring
Few parts of your home get as much wear and tear as your floors do. If low maintenance is what you want, carpeting is definitely something to avoid. And while hardwood floors can look very beautiful, you may prefer to shop around for an alternative that resists moisture, scratching, and never needs to be refinished. Laminate and engineered wood both closely mimic the look of real wood and not only do they require less attention, they’re also more affordable. Concrete, stone, linoleum, ceramic tile, and vinyl are other types of flooring materials that are durable and don’t require a lot of upkeep.
Windows
Since windows are constantly being exposed to the elements, it’s important to look for a type of window that can withstand a lot without needing much upkeep. Wood windows regularly need to be sanded and painted or stained to protect the wood from being damaged by the elements. Vinyl replacement windows, on the other hand, never need to be painted, won’t be damaged by exposure to moisture, and require very little maintenance otherwise.
Roof
A well maintained roof can protect your home for decades, but if the time has come to replace your roof, why not consider a metal roof? Metal roofs are extremely durable and have an average life expectancy of 50 years, which is great if you live in an area where you can get a lot of storms and severe weather. Plus, you won’t have to worry about shingles coming loose or cracking and you won’t have to deal with finding those granules in your gutters and on the ground along the edge of your house.
Siding
Siding is another thing that homeowners don’t have to deal with replacing very often, but if the time has come to replace it, why not look for a low-maintenance option? Vinyl siding is affordable, never needs to be painted, and modern vinyl siding is designed to resist fading over time. Fiber-cement siding is more expensive than vinyl siding, but is also very durable, doesn’t fade easily, and isn’t prone to the types of problems that wood siding is. While vinyl siding can’t be painted, fiber-cement can be painted if you choose to do so.
Kitchen Counters
Kitchens are easily one of the most heavily used areas of any home and counter tops in particular can get a lot of abuse. If you don’t want to have to deal with scratches and stains, consider quartz, other types of engineered stone, stainless steel, or concrete counter tops. If you’re on a budget, you might be surprised by how durable and stain resistant modern laminate counter tops can be.
