Give the Garage a Facelift

A lot of emphasis is frequently given to updating kitchens or bathrooms or landscapes, but those aren’t the only areas of a home that deserve attention. The garage may be one of the most overlooked sections of a home when it comes to remodeling. However, with a bit of time and energy, your garage space can become a greatly organized and highly functional haven. And if you decide to sell your home, having a spruced up garage can be very appealing to prospective homebuyers!

Look Up

The thought may have never dawned on some people, but space near the ceiling of the garage is a perfect place to store rarely used items. Overhead racks that carry a high weight capacity can be installed using multiple mountings to ensure safe storage. Place items that need to be stored for an extended time in a spot where they will not take up valuable space closer to the ground of your garage.

Keep It Handy

If an item gets used on a regular basis, it obviously deserves to be kept somewhere you’ll have easy access to it. Keeping these items easily seen makes them so much easier to find the next time they are needed. A shelving hook system combined with various racks in one section of the garage can multiply the number of items that remain visible and handy to reach. Buckets can also be hung on some of the hooks to hold multiple smaller items like cleaning rags or bungee cords.

A Wall For Rides

For a household with biking enthusiasts, finding an out-of-the-way spot in the garage for each bicycle can be a very challenging undertaking. There are, however, a number of bike storage systems that can easily open up floor space for other items, like a car. A vertical rack can be mounted on the wall for each bicycle, or a floor-to-ceiling pole can be installed to hold two bikes, one above the other. There's even a hoist storage system designed especially for bicycles that might be a favored choice for some. Of course, plastic tubs and totes are always good for garage storage, especially when the see-through type are used; and bags of potting soil, winter ice melt, and even dog food fit well on low hanging shelves, making them easier to lift. In no time, with the right supplies, one can transform the garage from a jungle into an organized collection.

Getting the Most Out of Your Windows

Windows are one of the number one sources for leaks in homes and no matter what time of year it is, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your windows. When the winter season comes around, you don't want to to be heating your entire neighborhood and you don’t the cold air from your air conditioner getting out in the middle of summer. Here are a few tips you can apply to make sure your windows are properly insulated to keep you warm and cozy all through the wintery months ahead.

Apply Weather Sealing

Do your windows have some drafts, but you aren’t able to replace your window right away? Using weather sealing can be a temporary fix. Weather sealing is a type of material that can be applied to the frame of a window in order to close any drafts. While it isn't a long-term solution, it will usually last for one or two seasons. Standard packs of the material can be found in any hardware store.

Use the Right Curtains

The curtains you use can make a difference in how well your windows keep your home warm. If you're unable to do any exterior maintenance on your windows during the winter months, consider hanging curtains made of heavy fabric. This fabric not only locks out light, but helps to keep out drafts. You may even want to consider getting insulated curtains for maximum warmth. As a side benefit, heavier curtains can help absorb sound, keeping the noise level down within your home.

Use Cell Shades

Cellular shades are a type of window covering that can be purchased at most hardware stores. These shades are cut to fit your windows. While they allow light to come through, they help to insulate the windows against the cold; this is particularly effective in homes that do not have vinyl replacement windows. These shades are also useful if you have a cracked window you are unable to replace right away because they help to stabilize the glass and block out any drafts that may come through the cracks.

Use a Draft Snake

Have you ever rolled a towel and stuck it underneath a door to keep the heat inside? That's the same concept a draft snake operates on. It's a tube of fabric placed at the window sill that prevents heat from your furnace or cold air from your air conditioner from escaping. Best of all, you can make your own draft snake by simply sewing a tube of fabric, filling it with dry rice, and sewing it shut. If you have an old sock, it can do the trick just as easily.

Caulk the Windows

The best option for insulation a window frame is to apply caulk. Caulk is easy to use and can be done as a DIY project, but you can also seek professional application if you're uncomfortable doing it yourself.

Tips for Reducing Outside Noise in Your Home

If you live close to a busy road or in a busy city, you might love your home’s location, but not the noise that comes with having so much traffic in your area. The frequent sounds of vehicle horns honking, sirens from emergency vehicles, or people yelling can keep you up at night or make it hard to relax during the daytime. Noise pollution is not good for your physical health and it also becomes frustrating mentally. Frequent noise from outside your home makes it difficult to relax by enjoying a television program or reading a book. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to cut down on the amount of noise you hear in your home.

Add Acoustical Caulking Around Windows

Instead of squirting basic liquid caulking around your home’s windows, opt for a higher quality acoustical caulking that blocks noise. You may have to order acoustical caulking from an online store because it might not be available at your local hardware store, but the extra expense is worth it. You can apply acoustical caulking the same way that regular caulking is applied. For the best results, use the acoustical caulking on both the outside and inside of a home.

Use Heavier Coverings on Windows

If you have only lightweight curtains or window blinds on a home’s windows, then switch to heavier materials. You can buy thicker draperies or have customized acoustical window coverings made. An additional way to eliminate street noise is by attaching wood shutters to windows that you can close when there is a lot of noise outside.

Have Multiple Layers of Window Coverings

Rather than having only one layer of window coverings, why not have multiple layers that include sheer curtains for privacy, heavy acoustical fabric draperies and window shutters? If there are windows in your home that aren’t needed on a daily basis to provide sunlight, then cut a piece of foam or wood to place over the windows. Just make sure that these devices are quick and easy to remove in case of an emergency such as a fire that requires exiting through a window.

Install New Windows If you have single-pane windows in your home, then it is time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows that have more than one pane. Not only will these windows help to reduce the noise you hear from outside, but you will also notice fewer drafts along with lower heating and cooling costs.

Top Ways to Maintain Your Home's Value

Anyone who owns a home knows the importance of maintaining the property value of the home. A home is one of the most important investments a person can make so the last thing you want to do is let it loose its value. And if you ever decide to sell your home, the things you do to maintain or improve its value will make it easier to sell once it's listed on the market. The more that a homeowner works to maintain the value, the more money they'll earn when it's sold to a buyer. Here are some of the best things you can do to preserve your home’s value.

Update the Exterior

It's important that the exterior of your home looks fresh and blends in nicely with the rest of the neighborhood. Consider painting it a neutral color that will appeal to potential buyers in the future while also repainting the trim. If your home has something like vinyl siding, you might want to consider replacing it if it’s starting to look worn.

Make Necessary Repairs

Over the years, it's normal for a door handle to become loose or a faucet to become leaky, which can detract from the home's functionality. It's important to make necessary repairs in a timely manner to ensure that the home doesn't have multiple issues on the property. The last thing a potential buyer wants to happen when they’re looking at a home is to start a mental list of all the little things they’d have to fix once they move in.

Update Old Features

From the fireplace to light fixtures, there are a number of different features in the home that can start to look outdated over time. Although the fixtures may still work well and can be in good condition, they can detract from the aesthetics of the property. It's important to update features that are several decades old to ensure that the home is attractive on both the exterior and interior.

Break Down Walls

As a homeowner, one of the most important steps to take as you maintain your property is to be aware of what current home buyers are looking for in properties. One of the most recent features that will sell a home quickly are homes that have open floor plans, which creates a spacious area that is easy to entertain in. Consider knocking down certain walls that are closing off rooms from the rest of the home and allowing them to feel small. This will create a property that feels as if it has more square footage and is easier to use.

Update the Basement

More homeowners are updating their basement and refinishing the space for an area that can serve different purposes. Consider using it for an entertainment room or even a home office space, which will enhance your home's appeal. If your basement is prone to flooding, being able to say your basement has been recently waterproofed can be very appealing to a prospective buyer.

Replace Doors and Windows Nowadays, one of the top things that homebuyers are looking for is energy efficiency. They want to be sure they’re moving into a home that won’t be losing heat in the dead of winter because of drafts old doors and windows can have. If it’s been many years since you had your doors and windows replaced, it might be a good idea to do so before putting your home on the market. Vinyl windows are much more energy efficient than older windows and a new door could not only be more energy efficient, but also more secure.

How to Childproof Your Windows and Blinds

As soon as a child begins to walk, you will find that the things they are attracted to are often the most dangerous things in your home. While you may find it cute that your toddler loves to peek at the neighbors through the window, you need to stop and think about the safety of the window. The fact is that if the window breaks or the child can get the window open, it is a definite safety hazard. Your job is to make sure that your windows and window blinds are childproof. The following are some tips to help you to make sure your windows are safe for your child:

Keep the Windows Clear

No matter how high your windows are, your toddler is going to want to look out of it. They will use anything in front of them to climb on so they can see outside. You want to remove all items that could be used as a makeshift ladder by them. Furniture should be moved further away from your windows as a child could easily stand on the arm of a chair and fall through a window. Also, be sure that all objects that could break the window are removed from the area.

Window Locks

Most windows come with a locking mechanism that allows you to lock the window and preventing it from being raised or tilted. Unfortunately, your toddler will quickly learn how to unlock it by simply watching. There are products available that can prevent the window from opening, even when it is unlocked. Window stops and window guards are made for several different types of windows and will keep your child safe.

Window Film

You will also find there is a special window film that can be purchased to prevent the glass from shattering if a window does get broken. It is affordable and will help to keep your child safe. If your windows are old, you may want to consider replacing them with vinyl windows so that you no longer have to worry about your child getting hurt on the unsafe windows.

Window Blinds

If you have blinds in your home, you must do what you can to get the cords out of the way of the child. There are safety products available or you can simply cut the cords and refit them to a tassel stay or fit them with cord stops. The idea is to get the extra cordage off the blinds and keep the remaining cord out of the child’s reach.