Many homeowners tend to postpone major home improvement projects until spring and summer, but the professionals who do home improvements and the suppliers who sell the materials are ready to do business year-round.
During the offseasons, many of these businesses will offer lower prices to attract more customers. That means homeowners might find that it’s easier to not only schedule professionals to do the job but also get a break on the price.
Here are a few projects to consider during this winter season:
Get a new roof
Depending on how severe our February weather gets in the Chattanooga area, replacing your roof in the winter can make sense. Winter weather can sometimes get in the way of getting the job done quickly, but a roofer with a light winter schedule will have the flexibility to work around the weather and make adjustments to get the job done right.
Low temperatures can present challenges. Materials, especially asphalt shingles, require special handling and in some cases alternative adhesives when it’s cold. Moreover, icy surfaces, sleet and snow make work out of the question. Plus, some days might be too cold. Roofers can work around these issues using different techniques, and given enough leeway in scheduling the work.
Replace windows
If your windows could use updating, winter reminds you of it every day. Does the temperature drop when you get close to a window to take a look outside? Why not tackle the problem now? Window replacement companies frequently offer special pricing during the offseason and can schedule your job on shorter notice.
Installers might take on windows one at a time, putting up barriers and shutting off rooms to minimize the cold air coming into the house. The process might take longer than it would if letting in outdoor air weren’t such a concern, but you’ll feel the results right away once the job is done.
Paint a room
Spending more time indoors might draw your attention to dingy walls or make you wish for an updated room color. A window opened just a crack and maybe an exhaust fan in the window should be more than enough ventilation for a fresh new coat of today’s low volatile compound (VOC) paints. If you don’t want to do the painting yourself, you might find a choice of painting contractors with openings in their calendars.
Make sure walls are warm enough for paint to stick well. Paint cans will tell you the temperatures for best adhesion. Even though the room is warm, walls can be cooler, so you might need to turn up the heat to be sure they present the best conditions for paint to stick.
Refinish wood floors
As with painting, you’ll want to ventilate, but you can minimize the amount of time you’ll need to open a window or door. Finishes with low VOC ingredients don’t require much airing out, and winter’s low humidity air speeds up the time it takes to dry. Also, some flooring professionals offer a new dustless sanding process, reducing dust and making it that much easier to stay indoors and out of the cold.
Ready to take the icy plunge into winter home improvements? Visit the www.HBAGC.net online membership directory for a list of quality remodelers, builders and other home professionals in the tri-state area.