Improve Your Home

Utility prices are in the spotlight as rates rise and homeowners foot the bill. Energy prices now exceed $110 a month for the average American, and as a result, cost-conscious consumers are considering ways to cut energy consumption. Some have turned to creative lighting solutions to illuminate a path to savings. If you find yourself glaring the next time you look at your electric bill, here are three ideas designed to brighten your home without lightening your wallet.

Get the LED Out

Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs will be a fixture in the future, but they are already in widespread use today. Although consumers can expect to pay more initially for LEDs, the long-term savings are significant. With an energy consumption of just 25 percent that of its incandescent cousins and a lifespan 25 times longer, LEDs – especially those boasting the ENERGY STAR rating – will lower your lighting costs …

When a first-time home buyer looks into a property, they often only consider what needs to be updated and upgraded for the interior. There are also plenty of places where routine maintenance can be a benefit on the exterior of the home. Here are some of the places where you should look for opportunities to update and add value to a property.

The Roof

The roof of a home is one of the most important parts of the exterior structure. It is what keeps all of the elements away from your living spaces and can protect you from all types of natural occurrences. Making sure that there are no roof leaks or significant damage is important to protect the home, but also to protect the value of your property. Unseen damage from small leaks can cause big problems later on, leading to costs for repair that any homeowner would want …

The world of siding provides an assortment of choices for homeowners seeking to optimize their property value and curb appeal. When it comes time to selecting a material for siding, you will want to select something that works in terms of your preference in addition to your budget. Each sort of siding comes with its distinct look and feel, so make certain to review all the possible choices with your siding contractor before making this important decision.

Vinyl Siding
Considered one of the more basic kinds of siding, vinyl is among the most economical and easily maintainable materials in the marketplace. On the flip side, vinyl is not the most powerful siding material on the market. Strong winds and other similar weather-related elements can lead to vinyl siding panels to buckle, crack, or fly, making repairs a probable factor down the road. Vinyl also has a means of looking somewhat …

After a long winter, there’s nothing better than spending time outside. All too often, however, homeowners default to the conventional choice and pick a generic open lawn instead of considering what to do to make their outdoor spaces as appealing as their indoor ones. 

Seating and Living

If you’re going to spend any amount of time outside, you’re going to want to sit. Spend as much time considering your outdoor furnishings as you do your indoor ones. There are many creative ideas for how to make your outdoor space truly livable. Many indoor activities such as cooking, eating and entertaining, can easily be moved outside if you have the right furnishings.

Lighting

An oft-overlooked aspect of landscape design is lighting. Especially in the early parts of spring and the late parts of fall you want to be able to spend time outside even if the sun is down. Find …