Although an open porch can be quite pleasant to have when the weather is nice, it is not a whole lot of fun to sit in an open porch once the weather turns colder or when it is raining. As a result, use of an open porch is quite limited. Therefore, if you want to get more use out of your porch, you might want to consider transforming it into a sunroom instead. Thankfully, the process of transforming a porch into a sunroom doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.

Consider What You Are Working With

The reality is that much of the structure you need for transforming a porch into a sunroom is already in place. Therefore, you likely will not need to do any major construction in order to get the process started. Still, you will need to take a critical look at your porch in order to determine if you need to add more to the basic structure in order to support the walls that you will be adding later.

Build the Walls and Ceiling

Essentially, you are just going to need to add walls and a ceiling to your porch in order to change it into a sunroom. When installing the walls, however, be sure to plan for windows and to include insulation in the walls. This way, your porch will stay nice and warm for you in the colder months so you can enjoy it throughout the year.

Choose the Right Windows

In order to help keep the heat in and the cold out, you should select double-pane, tempered windows for you sunroom. In addition, you should plan on putting plenty of windows in your sunroom. After all, you want to be able to enjoy watching the great outdoors whenever you sit in your new room.

Let There be Heat

In addition to installing windows to help keep the cold out, you might also want to consider adding some sort of a heating unit to your sunroom. If possible, you might want to add some ductwork and tie it into your existing furnace. If this is not possible, you might simply add a wood or gas stove to the room. This way, you can heat it up and warm up the sunroom whenever you like!

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How to Make Your Porch Into a Sunroom for Year-Round Use

There is no doubt about it – the winter seasons truly test your home when it comes to determining its level of energy-efficiency. Unfortunately, having a home that isn’t energy efficient is not only bad for the environment, it is bad for your pocketbook as well. Therefore, you might want to consider implementing these 5 tips to make your home energy-efficient this winter before the temperatures start to drop.

Tip #1: Insulate Your Water Heater

One of the simplest steps you can take for making your home more energy efficient is to insulate your water heater. You might also want to consider lowering the temperature of your water heater; just make sure you do not lower it below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Or, you might want to consider putting a timer on your water heater so it does not unnecessarily heat your water throughout the day while you are not at home.

Tip #2: Wrap Your Pipes

Another way to make your home more energy efficient is to wrap your pipes. Not only will this help prevent your pipes from freezing and subsequently bursting, it will also help the water that is being transported maintain its heat. When the water loses heat, your water heater has to work even harder to heat the water for you to use.

Tip #3: Replace Your Furnace Filters

Furnace filters are inexpensive and easy to replace. Yet, many people ignore this simple maintenance step. When your filters are clogged, the air is unable to properly flow through the heating and cooling system and your heating unit is forced to work harder. If the filters become severely clogged, it can cause your heating unit to overheat. You should check your furnace filters once per month throughout the winter season. If you cannot easily see light come through the filter, it is time to replace it.

Tip #4: Cover Your Windows

Before winter rolls around, it is time to take out your window screens and to replace them with storm windows. If you don’t have storm windows or if your windows do not have a good seal, you should seal any leaks you have or even consider replacing the windows. If this is not an option, you should put clear plastic over your windows so you don’t lose so much heat. The reality is that the majority of heat lost during the winter is through windows and doors, with many experts estimating that up to 35% of winter heating bills are caused by heat lost through windows. Therefore, paying close attention to your windows is an essential step in making your home more energy-efficient.

Tip #5: Install a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are relatively inexpensive, but they go a long way toward helping to reduce energy costs when properly implemented. By programming your thermostat to turn down the heat at night but to turn it back up shortly before you wake up, you will save energy during the night without having to wake up to a cold house. Similarly, programming your thermostat to turn down during the day and to go back up before you come home from work helps prevent wasting energy throughout the day without forcing you to come home to a cold house.

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5 Tips to Make Your Home Energy-Efficient this Winter

If you have a deck or patio, it is essential for you to take a few steps to properly prepare it for the winter. By taking a few precautionary measures now, you can potentially save yourself a great deal of heartache and expenses once spring rolls around.

Tip #1: Clean it Thoroughly

The first thing you need to do to prepare your deck or patio for winter is to simply clean it thoroughly. Be sure to remove all of the fungus, dirt, mildew, algae, rust stains and anything else that has accumulated on the deck or patio. Use a formulated deck cleaner to thoroughly remove the grime before doing anything else to prep your deck or patio.

Tip #2: Strip Away Unwanted Finish

After cleaning the deck or patio thoroughly, you should strip away any finish that is deteriorated or otherwise unwanted. Again, there are products available that you can use to remove oil or latex paints as well as semi-transparent stains and clear finishes that might need to be removed.

Tip #3: Reapply Finish and Stain

If you had to remove finish that was deteriorating, you will need to replace it in order to protect the wood and to keep your deck or patio looking great.

Tip #4: Seal it Up

Finally, you should seal your deck or patio with a water repellant. This way, it will be able to withstand all of the moisture, snow and ice that it will endure throughout the winter months. If you do not seal your deck or patio, the wood surface may start to crack and become warped.

Although it will take you a bit of time to prepare your deck or patio for winter and it will certainly cost you a little money to purchase the products needed to properly clean and seal your deck or patio, the time and money you spend will be well worth it when your deck or patio looks great in the spring!

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4 Tips to Care for Your Deck and Patio Before Winter

With winter right around the corner, there are many things you will want to do in order to properly prepare your home. By winterizing your home, you can help conserve energy while also minimize your chances of suffering from leaks or other serious problems brought on by the cold, snow and ice. One place that certainly deserves some attention before winter is your windows, as a great deal of energy can be wasted through windows that are ready for an upgrade. To that end, here are 5 signs you should look for that indicate you need to upgrade your windows before winter.

Sign #1: You Hear Whistling

If you hear whistling through your windows when the wind blows, it is a sure sign that you have a leak. If you can’t afford to upgrade your windows at this time, you should at least find the leak and seal it with caulking or weather stripping.

Sign #2: Moisture is Getting Into the House

If you find moisture on your windowsill or on the flooring or nearby furniture after it rains, it is another indication that your windows are ready for an upgrade. Once again, window stripping and caulking are your friends in this situation, but it is really time for you to start budgeting to upgrade your windows, even if you have to replace them one at a time.

Sign #3: You Don’t Have Storm Windows

One of the best ways to conserve energy during the wintertime is to replace your window screens with storm windows. Of course, if you don’t have storm windows, an important upgrade for you to make is to purchase these windows so you can have an extra layer of protection to keep the cold out and the heat in.

Sign #4: Condensation is Building Up Between the Panes

If you are noticing condensation building up between your windowpanes, it is a sign that one or both of your panes has a leak. Not only does this reduce the efficiency of your windows, it also makes it difficult to look outside and enjoy the wintertime scenery.

Sign #5: You Have a Crack in Your Window

You would be surprised by the number of people who have cracks in their windows, but decide not to replace them. If you have been putting off replacement of a cracked window, you really can’t afford to continue doing so once winter hits. Even if you don’t upgrade to what would be considered a better type of window, simply replacing the cracked window with the same type of window will go a long way toward increasing its energy efficiency.

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5 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Windows Before Winter

Are you feeling a bit concerned about the shape of your roof? If your roof is in need of repair, withstanding the cold temperatures and moisture that winter brings with it will certainly be quite difficult. In fact, you will be setting yourself up for experiencing a significant amount of trouble during the winter if your roof is in need of repair. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep your eyes open for these signs that your needs fixing before winter.

Leaks in the Attic

A leaky attic is one sure sign that your roof is in need of repair. It is important to note that it can sometimes be difficult to spot leaks in the attic, so you should check your attic on more than one occasion in order to make certain you didn’t miss something. Also, it is a good idea to check your attic after a good rain or even during a strong downpour. This way, you will be more likely to spot the leaks and trace them back to the source of the problem.

Wet Spots In the Roof

After you experience a downpour, you should also look in the area just beneath your roof and look for signs of wetness, mold or rot. It is important to note, however, that the wet spots you find might not be directly under the shingle where the leak is occurring. Therefore, you might need to trace the water back in order to find the source of the leak.

Seepage Around the Chimney

If you have a chimney, you should also check this area for potential problems. If you discover water is seeping or draining from this area, it is a sign of a leak that needs to be repaired.

Shingles in Disrepair

Before the bad weather starts, you should also get on your rooftop and check for shingles that are torn, cracked, or just plain missing. Pay particular attention to corners and other angled sections. If you are uncomfortable with getting on top of the roof or if you are simply not sure what you are looking for, you might want to hire a pro to do the job.

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Signs Your Roof Needs Fixing Before Winter

When it comes to your home and your family, safety is always your number one priority. This is particularly true when it comes to fire, as a house fire can destroy everything that you hold dear. Luckily, there are many things that you can do in order to make your house more fireproof and to reduce the chances of a fire getting out of control.

#1: Invest in a Fire Extinguisher

Perhaps the single most important thing you can do to make your house more fireproof is to simply invest in a fire extinguisher. Ideally, you should have at least one fire extinguisher in every room of your home, including your basement. In addition, you should have one in your kitchen and anywhere else where fire is used regularly, such as in a den with a fireplace.

#2: Install and Check Smoke Alarms

Another important step you can take in order to make your home safe from fire is to install smoke alarms in your home and to check the batteries in the alarms at least twice per year. This way, you will be alerted quickly if a fire does occur.

#3: Remove Old Clothes and Other Flammable Items

Allowing old flammable items such as clothes, boxes, newspapers and magazines to pile up is a definite fire hazard. So, get rid of these old piles of items in order to reduce your chances of a fire.

#4: Install Fireproof Carpeting

Installing fireproof carpeting will also help reduce the chances of a fire occurring and will slow down the progress of a fire if one does start to develop.

#5: Purchase Fireproof Furniture

If your furniture isn’t already fireproof, ask the store to coat it with fireproof chemicals. Although this may cost you a couple hundred dollars, the investment will be worth it. In many cases, getting a fireproof coating will also involve making your furniture stain resistant, which is a nice added bonus.

#6: Never Leave Candles Unattended

This may seem like a no-brainer, but candles are one of the top causes of house fires. It is far too easy to become comfortable with candles and to think nothing bad could happen if you leave a candle unattended for even a short period of time. But, the reality is that it quite easy for a candle to get accidentally knocked over or to otherwise lead to a house fire.

#7: Maintain Your Furnace Properly

Proper maintenance of your furnace is also an essential part of keeping fires at bay. Failure to change out your filter can lead to overheating and other damage to your furnace that can ultimately lead to a fire.

#8: Clean Out Your Lint Trap

It is also essential for you to clean out your lint trap every time you use your dryer. If you do not remove the lint that has accumulated, your dryer can become overheated and can lead to a fire.

#9: Don’t Overload Your Electrical Wires

You should also take care to avoid overloading your electrical wires and making sure your wiring is installed properly, as overloaded wires can quickly lead to an electrical fire.

#10: Perform Regular Checks

Finally, be sure to regularly check your appliances and electrical cords in order to make sure they are not becoming worn out and frayed. If wires are damaged or if appliances are becoming worn out, repair or replace them as necessary.

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10 Ways to Make Your Home More Fireproof

It is no secret that the attic is one place where a significant amount of heat can be lost each winter. Therefore, in order to make sure you are not losing heat through your attic and in order to make certain you do not experience an unexpected leaks during the summer, it is important to inspect your attic before winter hits. In fact, by implementing these 5 helpful tips, you can potentially save a significant amount of energy while keeping your roof and attic in good shape throughout the winter.

Tip #1: Make Sure it is Properly Insulated

Heat rises, which means the heat in your home ultimately works its way up to your attic. If your attic is not well-insulated, this heat will continue to move up and out of your home. As a general rule of thumb, you should have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic and you should not be able to see your ceiling joists. If you do not have enough insulation, add some more so your attic will be more energy-efficient.

Tip #2: Check Your Gutters

If your gutters are full of debris or otherwise dirty, water will not be able to flow properly during the winter. If water flow is restricted, it will freeze and lead to ice dams. This, in turn, can cause leaks to occur in your attack. So, by taking care of your gutters, you can help ensure your attic stays in good shape throughout the winter.

Tip #3: Check Your Flashing

If flashing is damaged or is missing from your home, water from melting snow and winter rainstorms will find its way beneath the flashing and will freeze. This can also result in attic leaks, so replace any missing or damaged flashing in order to prevent this from happening.

Tip #4: Inspect Roof Shingles and Tiles

Worn out roof tiles and shingles are also a source of potential wintertime water leaks. So, before the temperature starts dipping below zero, check the condition of your roof and replace worn out shingles and tiles in order to stave off potential leaks.

Tip #5: Inspect the Interior

Finally, you need to inspect the interior of your attic in order to make sure it is in good shape. After a storm, go up into your attic and look for any obvious leaks and seal them up if you find any. This way, you can keep moisture at bay while also preventing heat from escaping.

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5 Helpful Tips to Ensure Your Attic is Ready for Winter

Although it is always fulfilling to do a project yourself, there are certainly times when hiring a contractor to do the job makes more sense. If you are considering hiring a contractor to help you with your home improvement projects, however, it is essential to be aware of a few of the most common contractor scams. This way, you can be certain you will not be taken advantage of by a scam artist.

Scam #1: “I Have Extra Materials”

If you are ever approached by a supposed contractor who offers to do a job at a great price because or she has “extra materials,” this should send up red flags. This scam is most often employed by con artists who claim to have just completed a driveway repaving project down the road. The scammer offers to repave your driveway with the “leftovers” at a reduce cost. Usually, the person offering to do the job isn’t even the same contractor who did the job down the road!

Scam #2: “I Was in the Neighborhood”

If a contractor comes to your home and claims he or she was in the neighborhood and thought you might be interested in his or her services, you should politely turn that person away. Legitimate contractors don’t act like door-to-door salesmen looking for homeowners to rescue. Simply put – if a contractor comes to you looking for work, he or she is most likely a scam artist.

Scam #3: Your Insurance Will Pay for It

Many con artists will talk you into getting a job done because your insurance company will pay for the repairs. If there is no real basis for your insurance claim, you could be facing insurance fraud charges if you turn the bill into your insurance company.

Scam #4: I Only Accept Cash

If your contractor insists that you pay for the job with cash, you should look for someone else to do the job. This is particularly true if the contractor wants you to pay in cash before the job even starts. Many of these scammers will offer you a big discount if you pay in cash, but paying in cash is a sure way to lose out on a whole lot of money by a con artist who will just take your money and run.

Scam #5: I Can Help You Get Financing

If you are taking on a costly project and the contractor offers to help you obtain financing if you sign over your deed, you should contact your local police department instead. With this scam, the supposed contractor is only trying to get you to sign over your deed so he or she can assume ownership. If you fall for this one, you won’t need to worry about the cost of your remodeling project because you will no longer be the owner of the home.

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Top 5 Contractor Scams to be Aware Of

Are you looking for ways to make your home a little more energy-efficient this winter? Or, perhaps you simply want to do whatever it takes to make sure your home is safe and as worry-free as possible throughout the winter. Either way, if you are ready to winterize your home, here are the five basic steps you need to take.

Step #1: Add Insulation to Your Attic

If you do not already have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic, you should spend a little money and add some insulation before winter rolls around. As a general rule of thumb, your attic needs more insulation if you can see the ceiling joists. When adding more insulation to existing insulation, however, you should not use insulation with a paper backing. If you do, the backing will act like a vapor barrier and will cause moisture problems to develop.

Step #2: Wrap Your Pipes

Wrapping your pipes will help prevent them from freezing, which is important because frozen pipes have a tendency to burst. Obviously, the last thing you want to deal with in the winter is a burst pipe spraying water everywhere. Any pipe that is not insulated or that runs through an unheated space, such as a basement, crawlspace or garage, should be wrapped with fiberglass insulation, a foam rubber sleeve or heating tape.

Step #3: Clean Your Gutters

Don’t wait until spring to clean out your gutters, as the thawing snow will need someplace to drain during the wintertime. If it doesn’t have anywhere to go, the water will back up, form ice dams and eventually cause water to seep into your house. So, once your leaves have fallen, clean out all of the debris and then rinse your gutters out with the hose. This way, everything will be able to flow without a problem.

Step #4: Check Your Furnace

You certainly don’t want your furnace to quit on you in the middle of winter, so you should test it before the cold weather hits. Ideally, you should have your furnace inspected and cleaned before you fire it up. This way, you can be sure it is in good shape and is ready to warm your home properly throughout the season.

Step #5: Put Up Storm Windows

Finally, you should take down your window screens and replace them with storm windows. This way, your windows will be more energy efficient. If you don’t already have storm windows, you should consider purchasing them – even if you only purchase one or two per year and slowly get them for all of your windows. In the meantime, you should purchase a window insulator kit and use it to add plastic sheeting to the inside of your windows. Although it may not be the most attractive look, it is highly effective at preventing energy loss and the sheets can be easily removed once winter is offer.

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5 Basic Steps to Winterize Your House

Your bedroom is your sanctuary. This room should be a place you can escape from the pressures of life and from your family and get the privacy and rest you need. Nonetheless, it may be time to make a change to your sanctuary in the form of a remodeling project. By considering these top 5 signs you need to remodel your master bedroom, you can determine if a remodeling project is in your near future.

Sign #1: You Aren’t Feeling Relaxed

If you aren’t feeling relaxed when you escape to your master bedroom, you might need to make a few changes in order to make it more soothing. Simply changing your paint color to a cool color, such as blue, or changing your lighting scheme can provide a more relaxed atmosphere.

Sign #2: You Need More Room

If you find yourself feeling cramped in your master bedroom, it may be time to add on to it or to take some steps to make it feel more open. Adding a patio door to the outside, for example, can allow more natural light to enter and make you feel as if you have more room.

Sign #3: You Really Need a Bathroom Nearby

If you are tired of walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night, or not having the privacy you need; you might want to consider adding a bathroom to your master bedroom. Plus adding a Master Bath in your home would also help boost the value of your home.

Sign #4: You Need More Closet Space

You may have noticed that your closet is overflowing. If this is the case, creating a larger closet in your master bedroom may be the answer. If room allows, a large walk-in closet is ideal.

Sign #5: You Are Ready for a New Look

Sometimes, you simply want to remodel a space just because you are bored with the current look. If you are feeling bored or ready for a fresh, new look, calling a remodeling contractor to remodel your master bedroom may be the right step for you.

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5 Signs You Need to Remodel Your Master Bedroom