Ok, so normally it’s classed as “spring” cleaning but why wait until it could be too late? With summer seemingly coming to an end…here in the UK at least, why not get on top of your spring cleaning and start right now?!
Plus, while you’re at it, you could also give your house the once over to make sure it’s wind and watertight before the cold winter months set in.
In this article, we have listed a few top tips to help you update and generally look after your doors and windows and make sure your home has the kerb appeal it deserves…
Replace your exterior doors
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to put it off and make the most of what we have, replacement is the best answer. The options available for replacement doors and windows are almost endless so it really depends on your budget and what your preferences are. However, if you do decide to replace any of your doors and/or windows, make sure you hire a professional to do the work. This guarantees no mistakes are made with measurements, the installation is done correctly and will ensure they close and lock properly.
There are plenty of things you can do that don’t involve replacing your doors and windows as this can be super expensive to do but in case you do need to do this, check each window and door individually as they might not all need replacing, which could save you a lot of money! Once you have decided which ones need replacing, do your research and ask a few different companies for a quote so you can get the best price and quality you can afford.
Wood versus uPVC
Many older homes generally have wooden doors and windows and although they may look beautiful, the upkeep of them can be both expensive and time-consuming, plus wooden doors and windows often cost a lot more to replace. Whereas uPVC doors and windows are cheaper to make, and therefore cheaper for you to buy and won’t warp or rot over time. You can even get wood effect uPVC windows these days so no one would ever know they aren’t real wood, especially from the kerb, admiring them from afar!
Apply a new coat of paint
This tip is more for internal doors or if you have a wooden front door. Especially if you have a wooden front door, maintenance is very important to ensure your door stays waterproof and in tip top condition. These days a tin of paint doesn’t cost that much and whether you’re a professional painter or not, it doesn’t really matter. There are so many online tutorials to help you paint like a pro.
Replacing old hardware
Hardware can be anything from door handles and hinges to letterboxes or even house numbers. If any of your hardware is outdated, rusty or doesn’t match the overall aesthetic you are going for, it may be time for a change.
Most hardware can be purchased either online at places such as Ironmongery Experts where they have a huge range to choose from or in your local hardware store. Most of the time, you should be able to install your new hardware yourself, looking at online tutorials if needs be, or you could hire someone to come in and do it for you if you’d prefer.
Porch appeal
Ok, so this one is more about making your door/porch look pretty than anything else, but who doesn’t want an inviting looking home?! There are so many little things you can do to make your porch look appealing such as: have some hanging baskets filled with beautiful, well-kept flowers on either side, or have matching flower pots on the ground by the door, or you could even have a nice light feature mounted on the wall. Even something as simple as having an outside doormat can improve the look and these are generally very cheap to buy. At this time of year, it’s much easier to make your home have porch appeal by adding a few fairy lights here and there. Maybe you have the perfect bush by your porch where you could drop some twinkly lights or you can simply add a beautiful wreath to hang on your front door.
Keep the area clean
Even the best-looking doors won’t impress anyone if they’re covered in dirt, rust or even mould! Rain, mud, dust and cobwebs will all create a bad impression of your home and diminish your kerb appeal. If you keep on top of it, it shouldn’t take you long to do, maybe once a week. A good sweeping of the entryway, a bit of dust, followed by a simple scrubbing of the area with soap and water, can bring back your kerb appeal. You should get your windows cleaned at least once every 2 months and while this is being done, they can check your gutters for blockages and clean down the sills as well. By doing this often, you should be able to catch any issues before they become a problem.
