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Proper insulation in the home is essential as it will not only protect you and your family from the elements, but also reduce your utility bills. If your home is well insulated, it will be easier to regulate temperature meaning you’ll spend less on heating and cooling. There are several upgrades you can make from smaller jobs such as sealing drafts, to entirely replacing siding and windows. Here are seven simple ways to improve the insulation of your home.

Upgrade your siding

It might be time to upgrade your siding. Consider the material of your siding and whether this is the most insulating and economical. Look into a local siding company that offers insulated siding. This will help protect your home in all seasons and will save you money on your gas bill. Vinyl siding with a breathable foam underlayment is a great choice, for example. It’s both stylish and practical, and ensures superior performance in any climate and weather conditions.

Install eco-friendly windows

You may also want to think about upgrading your windows. Although it might seem like a big job at first, installing eco-friendly windows will save you money in the long run and will make your home much more comfortable. If you install windows with well-insulated sustainable frames and low-e glass, you’ll be able to maintain the right temperature in your home all year round. Low-e glass works by reflecting heat energy. It has a thin coating which will reflect heat back outside or inside depending on the season, leaving your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Change your window treatments

You could upgrade your curtains, blinds, or shutters to provide more insulation. This will help to make final touches if you’re refreshing your exterior. Shutters can be custom-made to fit exterior windows and create a rustic, country style. You could also switch out your lighter summer blinds for heavier curtains in winter, for instance.

Insulate your roof

A quarter of the heat your produce in the home will escape through the roof, so it’s essential to stay on top of roof maintenance. Inspect your roof for leaks and replace and broken tiles or worn out guttering. You may also want to add extra insulation to your roof to prevent the heat from escaping. It’s worth hiring roofing services to do this for you to ensure you get a professional job. They will also recommend the right type of insulation for your roof depending on the type of property you own and how you use your attic.

Seal drafty windows and doors

Heat can also escape through drafts in the windows and doors so look out for these. If you find any gaps, you can seal these off easily with caulk or sealant. You can do this yourself or hire a professional. It shouldn’t take long to do. If you have a spare afternoon you can probably DIY this. Here is a quick guide on how to seal drafts. You could also consider upgrading your doors as well as your windows if they’re particularly drafty. This will be a worthwhile investment if it saves you money on your energy bills in the long-term.

Upgrade your flooring

If you want to improve the insulation of your home, it’s advisable to consider flooring insulation options. These include underlayments made from poly foam, silicone, and recycled rubber and foam. Certain types of flooring are more insulating than others. Materials such as carpet, vinyl, and linoleum are very insulating combined with underlayment. Underlayments can wear out after a time so it’s a good idea to have these checked and replaced. You could also decorate your home with a few new rugs or carpets as these provide insulation. Add a personal touch to any room with a stylish new rug and improve insulation as well.

Consider going smart

One of the best ways to monitor the energy efficiency of your home is by going smart. There are several benefits of smart home technology. By upgrading to a smart home system, you’ll be able to control your thermostat remotely from a smartphone or other device and reduce your energy usage. You’ll also get notifications about how to make your home more energy-efficient. This will help you to understand whether your efforts to insulate your home have been successful and will point out any areas for improvement. Get your home properly insulated in time for the cooler months and this will save you money on your utility bills and keep you comfortable.

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When you’re designing your home, there’s a lot to think about. If you suffer from particularly bad allergies, it adds another dimension to how you organize and decorate. 

Whether you suffer from pollen, dust allergies, or skin irritation, here are some home design tips you should consider. 

Keep your air-con units clean

Air conditioning can be great for people with allergies, but only if they are kept scrupulously clean. If you fit HEPA filters to your air con units, you can remove a lot of dust and pollen from the air, rather than having it circulating around your home, irritating your allergies. 

If necessary, call out an AC repair company to fix any issues and give your system full service. Change the filters as often as you need to. 

Keep the air at the right humidity levels

Your lungs can be irritated by too much or too little moisture in the air. Very dry conditions and air conditioning can dry out your sinuses and throat. If this is the case, invest in a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Or, a good old-fashioned way to do it is to have a bowl of water near your radiators, or drape a damp towel over them when they are switched on. 

Sometimes your home might be the opposite and have too much moisture in the air. This could be from a problem with your damp proofing, poor ventilation or you live in an area with high humidity levels. 

This can encourage dampness and mold to grow in your home and make any respiratory issues worse. In this case, a dehumidifier is needed. You can buy powered ones or small moisture traps that you can place around the home. 

Embrace minimalism

Dust can make allergies and asthma much worse. So keeping your home clean and dust-free is important. Unfortunately, the dust gets everywhere, and the more things you have around for it to collect on, the harder it is to keep it clean. By keeping your home as clutter-free as possible, it will be much quicker and easier to clean your home. As an added benefit, it will look better too. 

Choose fabrics wisely

Soft furnishings are another place for dust and pollen to settle on. But most people never think of these as possible places for irritants. The best way to remove this is to wash them regularly, so you will need to look for fabrics that are versatile and can be washed regularly. 

Fluffy fabrics can also trap much more dust than other, smoother fabrics too. 

Set a thorough cleaning routine

Unfortunately, when you suffer from bad allergies and asthma, you have to keep on top of your home cleaning as a priority. Having a space free from allergens that you control is very important. Homes build up dust and allergens all the time, and you need to create a thorough cleaning schedule to keep your surfaces, floors, and fabrics as clean as possible. 

It is just as important to upkeep the exterior of our homes as it is the interior.  Having a home you feel happy to come home to can make a big difference to your day.  The exterior can feel overwhelming though as we don’t always know how to improve it.  In this article we will give you a few ideas to improve the exterior of your home.

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Repair

It’s really important to make sure the exterior of your property is in a good state of repair, as otherwise it could cause you problems on the inside.  You need to regularly maintain your roof and guttering, and eaves and soffits.  Consider if you need new windows, or a waterproofing contractor to fix any leaks.

Paint

A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference to the outside of a rendered home.  You could even change the colour if you are feeling adventurous.  If your home is not rendered you could consider cladding to completely change the look and improve the exterior of your home.

Fencing 

Wonky and derelict fencing immediately makes a house look uncared for.  They might just need a coat of paint, or you might need new panels entirely.  You can buy fence panels made of composite material which are very low maintenance and weather proof and great for the environment.

Driveways

It could be that you need to repave your driveway, or maybe you just need to weed it!  You can use a wet and forget weed killer that you only need to apply once a year to reduce the maintenance.  

Bin Storage

We have to store our rubbish somewhere before it is collected.  But bins can be an eyesore.  You can make or buy bin compounds that hide the bins away and stop animals from getting in there too.

Door

A statement door can completely change the look of your home.  Whether you want something in-keeping with the era of your home, or you want to modernise it, there are lots of options available.   Plus it makes it really easy to explain to the deliveroo driver which one is your house!

Plants

Plants make a house inviting.  You can start small with a window box, or create plants that climb fencing, or indeed the house itself.  

Lighting

Lighting is important for security and safety.  A modern outside light increases curb appeal.

Grass or Aggregate?

If you have a lawn outside your property, maintain it.  If you are finding it too hard to maintain, consider an aggregate such as sones or chippings, sweep regularly to keep it contained to your property.  Aggregate can be an added security benefit to your home too.

Letterboxes and Door Numbers

If you want something unique or a bit quirky, search for handmade letter boxes or door numbers and make your house the talking point of the neighbourhood.

Conclusion

Sometimes to improve the exterior of your home will require money and skilled labour.  But sometimes a bit of paint and some pretty plants can make all the difference to the curb appeal of your home, and give you a house to be proud of.

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When it comes to adding elegance to your home on a budget, there are plenty of options. For example, with the right paint colors and decorating skills, you can transform any room into an elegant space that will make you feel like royalty without having to spend thousands of dollars. 

There are also many ways to add elegance with little or no money at all. Here are a few favorite budget-friendly tips for you, so that you may be inspired!

Change Your Furnishings

The way you furnish your house can say a lot about who you are. If it’s uninviting or doesn’t match the personality of everyone living in it, that might be an indicator that someone is unhappy with where they live. You don’t have to spend a fortune on home goods and furniture to have an elegant and functional home.

You can use several methods to make your home look more elegant on a budget. One option is to change out your current furniture. Pieces like couches or armchairs that are too worn down can get replaced with something new. If the style of your furniture is not what you want, it can be an excellent time to redecorate and get something that matches your personality.

Add Little Details of Decor in Different Sections

There are many creative ways to add elegance to your home on a budget. Of course, you don’t have to spend much money or time, but you can transform the look of a room with just some small touches. Foremost, you can add mirrored cabinets and wall mirrors. And you can get them from Glasscrafters.  

Liven up empty walls by adding simple posters or framed prints. Use colorful frames to give your home an artistic feel and change them around for different looks throughout the year as new pieces go on sale in stores. If wall decor is not your thing, hang pretty curtain panels or a rug on the walls for an exciting accent.

Work on Having a Beautiful Green Lawn

For many homeowners, having a beautiful green lawn is an integral part of their home. It not only creates curb appeal but also provides support to the house, and particularly in coastal areas, it helps keep from erosion.

There are many different ways for you to beautify your lawn without breaking the bank! One, use mulch throughout the garden. You can also install artificial turf or grass instead of natural lawns in the backyard. This is an excellent option for those who don’t have time to maintain their yard regularly. Lastly, you can plant drought-resistant plants, such as cacti which require little water and maintenance.

Incorporate Different Types of Materials in the House

To add elegance to your home, mix other materials in the form of decorative pillows or rugs, like combining a wool rug with an animal print pillow cover, for example. The mix will create dimension and contrast that makes it visually attractive; this is especially true if you have neutral color walls.

It is possible to create a classy home without spending lots of money. These ideas on adding elegance are just the start, but they will get you started designing your way of adding class and sophistication to your home. It’s all about doing what works for you and finding new ways little by little as time goes on. 

Your home environment can play a massive part in how you feel mentally. If you are stressed when you are at home for any reason, it won’t translate well to your attitude, and it can leave you feeling stressed or deflated.

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The thing is, your home needn’t be a place you dread to go. It shouldn’t be. It should be your haven. The trick is to identify what you don’t like and how you can change it to change how you feel at home.

What Is The Issue? 

Knowing what it is you do not like can give you a place to start when it comes to improving the feel and vibe of your home. It could be that you need a serious declutter. Or the decor isn’t to your taste. Take in each room carefully, look at what you do not like, and write it down to make a plan.

Ask family members what they would want to change to create a home that works for everyone.

Make A Plan

Once you have identified what you want to change, you need to make a realistic plan. If you are decluttering, plan to go room by room and then look at how to clear the clutter. The trick is to remove it the same day, so you aren’t moving the problem from one room to another. Book in for Junk removal, donate to goodwill, family or friends or dispose of non-reusable goods responsibly. If you want to decorate, look at how much time you have to do it and when and what room is more urgent etc. this will give you something to follow when you get started.

Make The Time

For many people, finding the time is a problem. You are simply too busy to make the changes. But if something is worth doing and not doing it makes you unhappy, can you afford not to find the time? Even if you have to find childcare arrangements or book professional services such as a painter or decorator or a cleaning service to deep clean your bathroom.

Maybe you can rearrange the furniture of an evening when the kids are playing, or you can rope them in to help you make the changes. Even if you can only block off one day a month, commit to making the changes and put them in your schedule.

Add Something You Enjoy

If nothing sparks your joy when you arrive home, find something that does. That lamp you have been coveting or something else you have had your eye on. Be it a piece of statement art via adding prints to your walls. Once you have made the changes look to add those finishing touches that make you smile. 

Create a space that you love to come home to by committing to making changes to change how you feel about spending time at home, whether it is baby steps every few weeks or going in all at once and changing as much as possible as quickly as possible.

When you own your own home, it can feel as though the upkeep is never-ending. The biggest disasters that come from not maintaining your home as you well as could, however, can be avoided. Taking care of your roof is one of these essential tasks and upgrades to make sure that you maintain good repair. Following these roof maintenance tips can help you to avoid having to pay for expensive damage repairs. 

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Quick Tips

• Never walk directly on your roof. Always use a ladder and take plenty of notes as you look around your home to check the roof. 
• Call a professional to make any checks, if you don’t feel safe doing it yourself. Having a roofer to do the work for you is always the safest and easiest approach.
• If you don’t like heights, stand back, and check the roof with binoculars.
• If you spot any problem areas, don’t put off dealing with the issue.

Shingles

Shingles are a good indicator of how your roof is doing. If there are shingles missing, and you can see any signs of curling, cupping, or chipped and buckled shingles, you know have a problem that needs an emergency roof repair. These problems mean it is time to call a professional. Granules from your shingles are another sign of trouble. Some granules will naturally come off over time and find their way into your gutters, but if they’re piling up, or your roof is becoming uneven and spotty from the loss of these grains, then your roof is getting near the end of its life. These are red flags for much bigger problems forming and are a sign that your roof is ageing, and you should think about replacing the shingles. 

Chimneys And Flashings

Chimneys are another common place for water to get in. Check the flashing and make sure none of it has peeled away, or become dislodged or damaged. Skylights are easy to notice when they’re leaking, as you’ll notice the water getting inside almost immediately. If you can tell where the water is coming from, deal with it immediately. Vents should also be looked over to make sure that no sealant has cracked or peeled away. Any structure that penetrates through your roof and needs to be sealed to prevent leaks should be maintained and checked. These are common weak points in the rook that could let in water.

Eaves And Guttering

Cleaning your gutters is an important task to get done in the spring and fall. If debris can gather in the gutters, it will stop water from getting to your downspouts. It can soak into the roof and cause rot. This kind of damage is very expensive to fix. 

If you don’t feel confident about cleaning your gutters yourself, you can hire a roof maintenance professional to do it for you. If you do it yourself, make sure you wear gloves and use proper access equipment. Don’t try to clean gutters with your bare hands. Sweep out leaves and other debris away from the downspout and then rinse the gutters with a high-pressure hose towards the downspout. Remember to dispose of the debris safely and responsibly too.