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

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

Exterior home remodeling projects can give you great curb appeal. Whether you are considering selling your home or looking to freshen things up a bit, you might want to consider hiring these exterior home remodeling contractors to complete your home improvement plans.

Top 10 Exterior Home Renovators

1. Roofers
2. Siding contractors
3. Deck contractors
4. Landscapers
5. Garage contractors
6. Driveway Contractors
7. Addition Contractors
8. Home Painters
9. Swimming Pool Contractors
10. Patio Contractors

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Top 10 Exterior Home Remodeling Contractors

Improving the outside appearance of your home is an important step to take in order to improve the value of your home. Regardless of the size of your budget, one of these top 5 exterior remodeling projects is sure to boost its value while making your home more enjoyable for you to use.

Repaint or Reside Your Home

Repainting or residing your home – particularly if you make it a new color – can completely change the appearance of your home. Start looking around for new colors and don’t be afraid to make a change to the outside of your home. This can be done by a painting contractor or a siding contractor, depending on what you want to do.

Add a Deck

Adding a deck or any other outside living space to your home can substantially increase its value. If space allows, consider replacing a window or door with a patio door and adding a deck to the outside. If you have a two story house, you might want to consider adding a balcony instead. Call a deck contractor to help you if you don’t want to do it yourself.

Plant a Garden

Planting a garden, adding bushes, and other landscaping projects can really brighten up your yard and increase its curb appeal. If you don’t have much of a green thumb, look at getting plants that are low-maintenance and easy to care for. Plants that are native to the area in which you live are the best choice for landscaping projects. You might want to consider a landscaping contractor to help you plan properly.

Put on a New Roof

If your roof is in bad shape, you should replace it as soon as possible. Keeping a damaged roof in place can lead to additional damage to your roof and the ceilings in your home. In addition, an old and tattered roof is quite unattractive. If roofing is not your cup of tea, then you should find a qualified roofing contractor.

Build a Garage

If you don’t have a garage, this might be the right time to add one. In order to get the most value out of the project, however, make certain it is at least a two car garage. One car garages aren’t very valuable to potential homebuyers – and you will definitely make use out of the garage, even if you have just one car. Building a garage can be difficult. You might also want to contact a garage contractor to help you with this remodeling project.

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Top 5 Exterior Remodeling Projects

Curb appeal is important when it comes to impressing the neighbors and increasing the chances of selling your home. By making your home look attractive from the road, it will leave a positive and long-lasting first impression.

Clean Up Clutter

All clutter should be cleaned up from your yard and porch area, and your lawn should have a neat and tidy appearance.

Paint Your House

Your house should have a nice coat of paint that is not pealing or it should have clean siding. Repaint the house as necessary to keep it looking great and power wash siding every year so it is clean and shiny.

Add Flowers

You don’t necessarily need to have a green thumb to add flowers to your home. Hanging baskets and pots of annuals will provide blooms all season and look great. It can be as simple as going to your local greenhouse and picking a few of your favorite potted flowers and plants to place on the porch or plant in front or along walkway.

Plant Bushes

Hide the bottom of your house with bushes. Flowering bushes add color, while evergreen bushes ensure the area is covered all year through. Small bushes can a be nice way to landscaped the area along the walkway and side of house without over powering the front yard.

Install a New Door

The entrance to the home is generally seen from the road, which means the door should be attractive and eye-catching. If getting a new door is not in the budget, there is the option of simply cleaning, painting or refinishing the one you have now.

Maintain Your Driveway

Whether you have an asphalt or concrete driveway, make sure it remains in good shape. Repair cracks in cement right away and get asphalt resealed on a regular basis; also remember to get rid of those unattractive weeds that like to creep up.

Repair Your Roof

A raggedy roof can be easily spotted from the road. Make certain the roof remains in good shape and make repairs as needed. Along with the roof, remember the rain gutters and downspouts to keep them clean and free of leaves and debri.

Keep Garage Doors Shut

While it is great that you have a garage that provides you with plenty of storage space, no one needs to see what you have hidden away inside. Keep your garage door shut so no one has to look at the mess inside.

Keep Your Lawn Mowed

A mowed and well manicured lawn is quite attractive. Keep weeds out of your lawn and trim the edges.

Trim Trees and Other Plant Life

Overhanging trees and other out of control vegetation will detract from the beauty of your home, particularly if they are hanging over into the driveway. Keep vegetation manicured and trimmed.

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10 Ways to Increase Curb Appeal of Your Home

Landscaping your home can add a great deal of visual beauty to your home while also adding value. With these top 10 landscaping ideas, you can create a beautiful outdoor utopia that you will be certain to love.

#1: Build a Retaining Wall Around Your House

Building a retaining wall around your home is a great way to display flowers and bushes while also trimming off your home and creating a tidier appearance.

#2: Plant a Perennial Garden

Perennial gardens can be quite easy to maintain if you select flowers that are native to your area. Plant a garden that is proportionate with your yard and create a beautiful natural retreat.

#3: Install a Garden Pond

Installing and maintaining garden ponds can be somewhat tricky. Once you get everything running properly, however, they can be a source of great joy. The wildlife they bring with them is worth the trouble of getting a pond started!

#4: Build a Patio

With some decorative bricks and a little creativity, you can build a lovely brick patio that will provide you with a place to sit and enjoy the outdoors.

#5: Create a Deck or Balcony

Building a deck or a balcony is another great way to increase your outdoor living space. Add some flower baskets and pots and your deck or balcony is sure to be quite lovely.

#6: Install Birdfeeders

With a little planning, you can add some birdfeeders to your landscape in a natural and attractive way.

#7: Create Sitting Space

You don’t have to build a patio or create a deck or balcony in order to create a sitting area. In fact, you might plant a perennial garden and put a garden swing in the center where you can enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

#8: Build a Rock Garden

If you aren’t comfortable with flower gardens, you might want to consider creating a rock garden. With some carefully selected and laid out boulders and other rocks, you can create a truly unique and interesting look.

#9: Mulch, Mulch, and More Mulch

Whether you are planting a garden or are looking for a way to make it easier to mow around the trees in your yard, mulch can help. Mulch helps prevent weeds from growing while also making the ground better for your flowers. When you add a ring of mulch around your trees, you can make them look more trimmed while also making mowing easier.

#10: Use Trim

There are many different forms of garden trim available, so you will need to look around to find the one that you prefer. Nonetheless, trim helps create more defined edges in your lawn and in your gardens while also making mowing more manageable.

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Top 10 Landscaping Ideas

Are you wondering how to select the best driveway for your home? The reality is that there are several different types of materials that can be used to create a driveway. Therefore, you need to consider your budget, your style, as well as building codes when determining which material is right for you.

The Gravel Driveway

Gravel driveways are easily the least expensive option for creating a driveway. Depending upon the size of your driveway, you may be able to get enough gravel to cover it for less than $1,000. At the same time, you will need to have more gravel brought in every few years, as the gravel will work its way into the ground and need to be replaced. In addition, some jurisdictions consider gravel driveways to be unfinished and will not allow them to serve as the finished product.

The Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt driveway, which are also referred to as blacktop driveways, are more expensive than gravel driveways. Nonetheless, they are the least expensive solid surface option available. While asphalt driveways can be quite attractive, they do need to resealed every few years and require a bit of maintenance in order to keep them looking good.

The Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways can be quite a bit more expensive than asphalt driveways. At the same time, they do not need to be resealed and require very little maintenance. In fact, the only maintenance necessary for concrete driveways involves getting cracks filled right away if a crack should occur. Another advantage to concrete is that it can be shaped to create intricate curves and designs. In addition, it can be colored in order to create a very unique look.

The Brick or Cobblestone Driveway

Brick and cobblestone driveways are the most expensive driveway material option. Although this material is quite attractive, it does have a tendency to settle unevenly. As a result, you may need to get it repaired on a semi-regular basis. Nonetheless, the material is very decorative is used on many high-end homes.

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How to Select the Best Driveway for Your Home

When getting ready to side your home, you will find that there are several different types of siding options available. It is important to explore your siding options in order to make certain you make the right choice for you.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is available in just about every color imaginable. It is also available in a number of different textures that mimic the texture you would find in wood. Vinyl siding is very simple to install and to maintain. It is also quite durable and does not require any maintenance, though you may need to power wash it every spring in order to keep it looking bright and clean.

Wood Siding

Wood siding can be installed for painting or staining. Rather than painting wood, most homeowners that are interested in color decide to use vinyl siding instead because of its durability. If you want to stain your home, on the other hand, you will still need to install wood siding. Over time, stained wood siding will fade and you will still need to power wash your siding every spring in order to keep it looking good.

Faux Stone or Brick Siding

Faux stone or brick siding is another option. If you love the look of stone or brick homes, this siding may be a good alternative for you. Faux and brick and stone siding is much cheaper than installing real brick or stone and is also easier to install. At the same time, is generally the most expensive siding option you can use. For this reason, many homeowners choose to only side a portion of their home with this type of siding and will side the rest with wood siding or vinyl siding. This siding is quite durable, but still may need to be cleaned every season in order to continue looking great.

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What Kind of Siding Should You Use for Your Home?

Nothing feels better than diving into a swimming pool on a hot summer’s day. If you are considering installing a swimming pool, however, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by your options. With these tips on selecting the right kind of swimming pool to build, however, you should be able to select the best option for your situation.

Tip #1: Consider Your Budget

Your budget will play a large part in determining the type of swimming pool that is best for you to build. An above ground pool is the least expensive of your options. If you want an inground pool, a pool with a liner will be your least costly choice. A fiberclass pool would be your next most expensive option, followed by a pool made with concrete.

Tip #2: Consider Your Climate

Your climate can have an impact on deciding which pool is your best option. If you live in an area with cold winters and warm summers, for example, a concrete pool may crack from the temperature changes. In this case, it may be better for you to select a fiberglass pool if you are going to install an inground pool.

Tip #3: Consider Your Soil

If you have sandy soil, a fiberglass inground pool may be perfect for you. If you have clay soil, on the other hand, you may have problems with a fiberglass pool because the clay may push in on the pool and cause it to collapse somewhat on itself. In this case, a concrete pool may be a better option for you.

Tip #4: Consider the Shape and Size of the Pool

Of these choices, the only pool that provides you with an unlimited number of sizes and shapes is the concrete pool. While you will have a pretty wide variety of pool sizes and shapes if you choose to have a fiberglass pool, your choices will still be limited. Therefore, of you want an unusual shape or size, concrete is the choice for you.

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Tips on Selecting the Right Kind of Swimming Pool to Build