As time passes and parts of your home wear out, you will want to make repairs, renovations, and upgrades. Or perhaps you have saved enough funding to make your home just as you want it to be. Regardless of your motivation, keep reading to learn about some innovative ideas to make worthwhile changes to the place you call home.
Change Your Home’s Power Source
If you currently power and heat your home on electricity, perhaps it is time to change to an alternative and more environmentally-friendly power source. Moving from electricity to gas will lower your monthly utility bills. To make this switch, contact a professional gas line installer to ensure proper and safe installation.
While there are several large and small appliances you can run off of gas versus traditional and generally more costly electricity, some impactful ones to get started on might include:
- Home Heating Furnace
- Water Heater
- Stove
- Fireplace
- Clothes Dryer
Should you have an outdoor kitchen or are looking to build one, installing it with a gas power source for the stove and grill at the outset is a great idea. The same goes for a permanent fire pit. When it runs off of gas instead of another fuel source, you never need to find wood or lug propane tanks again.
Upgrade the Garage Door
You might be surprised at the difference a new garage door can make for your home. To start, it offers curb appeal that expands beyond the value of the door. When you make an update such as this, it will add to the outward appeal of your dwelling.
In addition, a new garage door allows you to take advantage of updates in technology and manufacturing techniques. Regardless of your climate, opt for a garage door with sufficient insulation to keep the heat and cold out and help moderate the temperature inside the garage.
As part of the new garage door installation, consider updating its technology. Add a garage door opener that operates on the traditional remote and through an app on your smartphone. With this feature, you can control opening and closing features from your phone and monitor its status while you are away from home.
A bonus of installing a new garage door is that it will work significantly better than your current one. Over time dirt and debris make their way into the workings of the door. Parts wear down and can become unsafe. A new door with properly working parts will ensure longer running efficiency and safety for you and your family.
Change the Front Door
A home’s front door is another way to show your style via curb appeal. If you would like to change it, you have quite a few options before you depending on your preference.
First, look for a high-quality door with good insulation. Next, check and then double-check the measurements to make sure you will have a suitable fit. When looking at the dimensions, allow for more room in depth if you currently have or are installing a screen door.
Choosing the door color can be a fun endeavor. You can match it to complement the home’s existing (or new) color. Or, you can pick something that will contrast the nature of the home’s exterior designs. Part of this selection process is also deciding if you would like details on the door, such as windows or picture molding, etc.
Finally, you will probably want to change out the hardware. When doing this, note where the hardware will lie relative to the current strike plates. Make any adjustments or fill holes as needed before proceeding with the installation. Again, if you need to factor a screen door into your plans, identify the location of the internal and external handles or knobs on each door to confirm they do not bump up against or impede one another’s movement.
Watch this video for inspiration on front door ideas for your home.
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Add a Security System
When you work hard on maintaining your home, you want to keep it safe and protected. The security of your family is essential, too. To keep everyone and everything secure you should install a security system on your property.
Several companies on the market offer competing security systems. The key to finding one suitable for your home is to do your research. Make your decision based on the components you wish to have in addition to the contract or lack thereof that you prefer.
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Components
With home security systems, you should start with a keypad and work from there. It is best to install one at each entry point to your home. This way, you do not have to run to only one keypad to deactivate the system regardless of how you come into your home.
From there, assess your sensor needs. You should place a linked sensor on every window and door, especially the windows on the main floor and basement access points.
Other sensors should include those which detect water and fire. Place sensors near your water heater and inside sink cupboards in case of a leak. Smoke alarms wired into the system installed in or near strategic points such as bedrooms are essential.
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Contract vs. Monthly
If you wish to go with a company that requires a contract, thoroughly read through the fine print to understand how long you are bound by the agreement. The contract should also clearly outline the exact services and equipment that will be provided by the company.
Going with a different type of company may afford you different options and the freedom to have more control over your security selections. With these security companies, you can still pay for monthly monitoring. You will do this via autopay and can cancel at any time without incurring a penalty.
Use these innovative and functional ideas to make proactive and useful changes or upgrades within and outside your home. You will be happy once you have everything in place. Your home will be more pleasing to look at and easy to use.
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