There is hardly a spot on the planet that is uninhabited today. This means that people live in varying climate conditions, exposing their home to all kinds of weather. In desert areas, temperatures can soar during the day and then drop below zero at night, putting huge stress on residential structures. These are all reasons why weatherproofing should be a top priority for every conscientious homeowner. There are numerous home improvements that will help with weatherproofing your house from the roof to the basement.
Color and quality
Most people think about the color of the façade more than the actual quality of paint they are going to apply. Orange or white, it doesn’t matter that much is the pain is solid enough that UV rays cannot damage it. The last thing you need is painting the exterior of your house only to find the paint cracking, building, and peeling off after just a couple of years. Apart from strong sunlight, frost can also hurt the façade by getting underneath it and then cracking it open from the inside.
The importance of ventilation
You probably have an exhaust hood over the stove in the kitchen but you should add additional vents. The flow of air inside the house is essential because the last thing you need is stale air which you and your children breathe in. Poor quality air can cause all sorts of respiratory problems that will take years to treat.
Like in an office building that has a central ventilation shaft, every room in the house should feature a ventilation opening that will allow for air to flow freely. Furthermore, you can install a large ceiling fan instead of the AC unit. This move will result in lower electricity bills as well.
The benefits of a programmable thermostat
Speaking of the air inside your home, you should be able to regulate its temperature as well. Studies have shown that humans sleep better in a cooler room so lowering the room temperature in the evening will help you both sleep better and pay lower electricity bills at the end of the month. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature to rise once more in the morning so you would wake up to a warm bedroom, despite how chilly it might be outside.
Insulating the walls
Once you start regulating the air temperature inside, it becomes essential to prevent heat from escaping through the floors, walls, and the roof. As far as the wall surfaces are concerned, even a thin layer of insulation is worthwhile home improvement. Furthermore, you can insulate the basement ant the attic to ensure that the home is insulated from all directions. What you are essentially doing is creating a microclimate inside that is 100% independent from the weather conditions outside.
Securing the roof
As far as the rood in concerned, a layer of insulation underneath it won’t do much good if there are holes inside its structure. Inspecting the roof for leaks and repairing the missing or damaged sections is crucial if you wish to stop rain and thawing show from getting inside the house.
The weakest spot on any roof are the opening around vents, skylights, and chimney stacks. The flashings around these sections of the roof are more likely to give way, so installing a good-quality lead flashing around a ventilation pipe is a real must. Otherwise, water will most definitely find its way inside your house, causing extensive damage.
Establishing a green barrier
You are probably thinking that erecting a high fence won’t help with weatherproofing your house and you are partially right. A fence on its own, regardless of whether it’s a chain-link or a wooden fence won’t protect your house from extreme weather conditions.
However, if you add some plants to it, then you are getting a proper green barrier that serves several purposes. Firstly, it increases home privacy by blocking the view completely. Secondly, it is ideal for eliminating the noise of traffic or thunder which is no small deal in the world literally polluted by loud noises.
Finally, a green barrier comprised of vines and other climbers will stop dust from getting inside your backyard, let alone the house. This last upside of a green wall is becoming increasingly important due to the global issue of deforestation.
That pesky draft from under the front door
Don’t you just hate it when you feel a slight breeze coming from the front door in winter? In general, a draft inside the house is a clear sign that you haven’t been weatherproofing your structure properly. Lucky, the gap under the door can easily be sealed using a silicone gasket that is attached to the backside of the front door. Not only will you windproof the house with this simple hack but you’ll preserve the curb appeal of your house since the gasket is not visible from the outside.
Weatherproofing your home is really homeownership one-on-one. If you cannot protect your house from strong winds, hail, and chilling cold, how can you ever hope to turn it into a family home!
Liam Smith is a young and aspiring Australian blogger with a passion for everything related to home, design and lifestyle. He has a B.Sc. in Interior design and is an avid reader. https://twitter.com/LiamSmith2034