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A Short Guide to Winter Renovations

Why does summer get to have all the fun? While many homeowners opt to wait until the temperature rises before jumpstarting their reno projects, the winter is just as good – if not better.

If your windows need replacing, your kitchen needs remodeling, or your plumbing fixtures need an update, don’t wait a whole six months to begin. This article serves as a handy guide for homeowners greeting the winter with home improvement projects. In it, let’s discuss why you should renovate in the winter, what you should know and which tasks you should prioritize.

Why Renovate in the Winter?

It makes complete sense. Winter is a time when everyone spends more time indoors, interacting with their home and using their fixtures. It’s the time of year when efficient products are most sorely needed, as the cold weather outside threatens to strain your home’s systems. Therefore, it’s the logical season for improvement.

Further, winter isn’t quite as busy as the summer (though there’s a caveat below,) and you may have an easier time finding trusted tradespeople, installers and renovators.

Finally, renovating in the winter allows you to finish in time to enjoy your improvements in the summer. Summers are busy, and it’s best to spend them leisurely. Being proactive about home improvements leaves your summers free for enjoyment.

Common Myths about Winter Renovation, Debunked

While renovating in the winter is a great idea, there are some myths around it that ought to be debunked.

Firstly, many people assume that winter renovations will be cheaper. This isn’t necessarily true. While many manufacturers and servicepeople offer discounts and sales in the winter, there isn’t a widespread seasonal drop in pricing. You wouldn’t charge less for your work on account of the cold weather – neither should they.

Secondly, winter is typically less busy than the summer for tradespeople, but that isn’t a fact on which you should count. Sometimes, tradespeople are very busy in the winter. Sometimes, they aren’t. In any case, you should act immediately if you want to undertake a project – don’t leave it to the last minute.

Thirdly, several resources claim winter is a poor time to install wood, because it’s susceptible to warping. This is untrue. On the contrary, winter is a great time to work with wood because winter is the driest season.  

Top Winter Renovations

The main renovation to recommend during the winter is new window installations. If your windows are old and inefficient, they could be costing you a lot of money on your energy bill. They may also restrict the amount of natural light your home receives, which is never good in the winter. Check out these windows made in London Ontario for an example of efficient, beautiful and well-made windows.

Other essential winter renovations include water fixtures and kitchen projects. Water fixtures, like your shower and faucets, get a lot of use in the winter, so it makes sense to replace them now. For an efficient option, check out low-flow appliances. The kitchen also sees a lot of use in the winter; if you have plans to remodel by updating the countertops, appliances or cabinetry, do so now.

To summarize, don’t wait for summer. Call your tradespeople, contact a window and door specialist and start researching appliances. Once the warm weather rolls around, you’ll be glad you did.

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