Top 10 Outdoor Projects to Help Ready Your Home for Cold Weather

With cold weather on the way, here are 10 outdoor projects to get your home ready for winter and the holidays.

In this Complete Home Remodeling Guide we outline outdoor projects that will get your home ready for the cold weather ahead!

Fix Driveway Cracks

Small cracks in your asphalt or concrete driveway can turn to potholes by spring. In fall, winter and early spring, the weather will put those cracks through many freeze, thaw, freeze cycles that will worsen and widen the crack. Fill them now. Use hot rubber on asphalt and concrete patch on concrete.

Insulate the Garage

Do you like to work on cars or other equipment in the garage over the winter?  Adding insulation now can make it the perfect workshop or the beginning of a man cave for cold weather.

Seal the Deck

If the deck needs a fresh coat of stain and sealer, do it now. Keeping moisture out of the wood will prevent the same type of freezing and thawing cycles that harm driveways. Also, when you add a deck or refinish your existing one, you add value to your home immediately.

Replace Windows

Heat loss through old and inefficient windows is the biggest factor in high energy bills. Choosing vinyl replacement windows that are Energy Star rated, can be pricey, but if your home is due for them anyway, replacing them before winter will cut your utility bills significantly.

Prune the Shrubs

Cut back shrubs that are blocking windows. They produce a security threat by giving burglars cover. More relevant to winter, they keep out natural light, and as the days get darker, the more natural light you can get, the better.

Repair or Replace the Roof

This is a very good time to give your roof a thorough inspection. Look for loose roofing material, gaps in flashing, gaps between the roof and the chimney or other structures. Repair of replace these now so that rain and melting snow can’t wreak havoc on your roof deck, interior of your home, attic fans or floor joists.

Re-side or Paint your Home

If your home’s siding or paint is failing, it needs to be fixed by winter. If not, moisture will infiltrate the siding or the wood and can create major problems and structural damage. If you’re entertaining this season, an updated exterior is something you can be proud of.

Hang your Holiday Lights and Decorations Early

Why wait till it gets really cold?  Put up your outdoor lighting early when the weather is decent and you’ll be in great shape for the holidays.

Repair or Replace Gutters

Gutters in bad shape can lead to water in your basement. When gutters don’t carry rain and melting snow safely away from your home, it can fall near the foundation in large amounts and make its way through even small cracks into your basement. Think ruined basement flooring and property, mold and mildew, and other undesirable results.

Replace the Front Door

If you’ve got an older front door, replacing it will make your home more energy-efficient and secure too. Plus, an attractive and stylish new front door will serve as a great backdrop to your holiday wreath and is a great place to greet your holiday guests.