Spring is a season of optimism, with the longer days and blooming flowers sure to put smiles on homeowners’ faces everywhere. What better way to maximize these positive vibes than to perform home renovation projects that coincides with the season’s arrival?
With this in mind, keep reading for 5 of the top home renovation projects to complete before spring.
1. Upgrade the Insulation
As we kick off 2023, energy efficiency remains at the top of the priority list for homeowners. While many people’s minds immediately jump to solar panels and other types of PV treatments around the home, one of the most tried and true means of improving energy efficiency is solidifying the insulation in your home.
Whether you choose to install roof, below-grade, or exterior wall insulation, an insulation project can help homeowners cut energy costs in a number of ways, such as:
- Increased R-value to prevent interior temperature fluctuations in times of extreme heat and cold
- Eliminate thermal bridges that allow for an unwanted air transfer
- Improved moisture protection that can keep the building envelope from degrading over time due to rot
If you want to get trendy and environmentally conscious with your insulation upgrade, consider using sustainably sourced products such as hemp, cork, denim, or sheep wool over more traditional insulation products.
2. Perform a Window Project
Regarding energy efficiency, old and degraded windows is one of the first places air transfer will occur. Whether it be breakdowns in the window-wall transition or glass panes coming loose from the sash, windows can deteriorate in a number of ways. Keeping your windows in top condition is one of the best ways to ensure an energy-efficient home.
In addition to sealing the building envelope, quality windows can promote natural light transmission, reducing the reliance on electric lights this spring. More innovative smart window technology can absorb or transmit the sun’s heat waves to help promote the most ideal interior temperature possible.
3. Choose a Modern Cladding Style
There is no denying the rustic charm of siding products such as wood planks and brick. However, those cozy feelings of home can go by the wayside rather quickly when the maintenance requirements of these cladding options sink in. Wood siding must be painted or stained at least every other year to maintain its insulative properties, while brick must be regularly sealed to prevent moisture absorption.
Fortunately, several innovative cladding solutions can help homeowners achieve a rustic curb appeal with few maintenance requirements. For example, fiber cement and steel siding can be manufactured in a number of styles that are nearly indistinguishable from natural wood or stone siding. Despite the appearance, these modern siding solutions are completely resistant to sun, moisture, and pest damage, ensuring that your home maintains a stunning exterior appearance with little intervention required by the homeowner.
4. Switch Out the Flooring
There is no season like winter to put your floor’s inadequacies under the microscope. Whether it be carpet stained from tracking in snow/mud mixes or hardwood floors stripped down by errant sidewalk salt, the winter can quickly cause your floors to turn shabby. Therefore, giving your floors a facelift is a great project to perform prior to spring’s arrival. While products such as luxury vinyl tile are popular thanks to their relative affordability and ease of installation, polished concrete is an increasingly trendy flooring material being used in residential properties.
Not only can it be stained in a number of finishes to promote a stunning interior ambiance, but its durability and ease of maintenance are highly appealing to homeowners with busy lifestyles.
5. Add a Porch
With the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent explosion of remote living, homeowners are increasingly looking for creative ways to add variety to their homes. As such, one of the best ways to create a change of scenery on your property is to increase its functional exterior space. While ideas such as outdoor kitchens and stand-alone gazebos garner a lot of attention, one of the best ways to improve your home’s exterior is with a porch.
Connected to your home, a porch is essentially an extension of your home’s square footage and makes the perfect location to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or an outdoor meal in the evening. To fully maximize the benefits of a porch addition, it is important to explore Rustic Porch Ceiling ideas to guarantee that the area is shaded from the sun and inclement weather to keep the porch accessible during all seasons.
Be Ready for Spring With These Trending Renovation Projects
Spring is a season of hope and change, a welcome arrival for homeowners after months of dark and cold weather. To be prepared for its arrival, consider an insulation upgrade, a window replacement, new siding, improved flooring, and a porch addition as 5 of the top home renovation projects to complete before springtime.
Natalie Akins is a freelance writer who currently resides in Austin, Texas. She has over 20 years of experience in interior design and restoration. Natalie has worked on many projects, including commercial office design and residential spaces. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and helping her friends renovate their homes.
