There is no better time to jazz up your home than in the summertime! DIY updates might be the last thing on your mind, but with more people taking “staycations” this summer and spending more time at home — it is the perfect season to repair and improve your home to create a relaxing refuge from work and school. Whether it’s cooling down your interior spaces or repairing exterior cracks, now is the time to give your home a much-needed boost to help you get through the summer months.
“A cool and updated house provides a great oasis from the harshness of the summer heat!” stated Patricia Willis at
Sneade's Ace Home Center, Inc. “Making sure that your home is properly insulated and updating your air conditioning systems is a must-do this time of year. With warmer temperatures outside and more free time during the vacation months of summer, it’s the perfect time to complete your home improvement projects.”
Willis
offers these cost effective and simple tips and projects to keep you cool, calm and collected while tackling summer home repairs.
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First Things First:
Create a summer home maintenance checklist that includes care and repair of your home’s exterior, cleaning and caring for your air conditioning unit, and testing and maintaining garage doors.
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It’s Getting Hot In Here
: Purchase and install a room or window-unit air conditioner if you do not have central air. A little planning before installation will save you money and time. First, make sure that you have a proper amount of space and that the unit is level. Install the unit in a shaded area on your home’s northeast or east side to insure that direct sunlight does not reach the unit’s outdoor heat exchanger. This can decrease its efficiency by as much as 10-percent.
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Insulation Inspiration
: If you have central air conditioning, proper insulation will help keep your home cool and your utility bills less expensive by reducing the amount of cool air that escapes. Start by applying insulating material to critical areas including the attic, attic access door, and areas under floors or above unheated basements and crawl spaces.
· Back to the Basics : According to ENERGY STAR, using an efficient ceiling fan can save up to $15 a year on your utility bills, a savings of about 50-percent compared to conventional units.
Beauty and The Bank
: What’s the easiest way to add a little beauty to your home while decreasing your utility bills? Put up an awning or louver! This simple home improvement can reduce the amount of heat that enters the home by as much as 80-percent. We recommend the easy to use and store DeWalt Heavy Duty 3/8-inch VSR Drill for easy installation.
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Looking Good
: Warm summer days are the best time to make repairs to your home’s exterior, including replacing worn out wood, chipped vinyl or cracked stucco. It is especially important to make repairs before any painting is done.
· Paint Protection: Summer is a great time to treat the exterior of your home to a new coat of paint – not only can you spend time outside enjoying the warm weather, but also give your home some much-needed tender love and care from damage caused by seasons past. This DIY simple project will give your home that coveted curb appeal, while also serving as a protective “shield” from the deteriorating effects of wind, water, sun and mildew. Try Ace’s tough, durable and weather resistant exterior paint line, Ace Royal!
“Spackle, paint and insulate! Turn summertime into DIY-time and tackle some basic projects that need to be completed around the home. With more leeway in your schedule, why not spend some of your free days getting to work on your home?” explained
Willis.“The summer months are definitely the time for leisure and vacation, but the great news is that most of projects can be accomplished over the weekend, or even in the evening. Take advantage of the warm temperatures outside to amp up the curb appeal of your home and repair exterior wear and tear from the previous winter months.”
For more information, visit your neighborhood Ace Hardware store or go to www.acehardware.com to learn more about Ace products as well as DIY tips and project ideas from Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man.”