A December home improvement list does not need to be long. The cold months are the right time for a handful of indoor jobs that make a Connecticut house warmer, safer and brighter, and for planning the bigger exterior work you want done when the weather turns. Here is a practical checklist you can work through over a few weekends.
Your December Home Improvement Checklist
Wash your windows on the inside
Winter daylight is short, so let in as much of it as you can. Clean the inside of the glass with a mild cleaner such as diluted vinegar, then wipe out the window tracks where dust and grit collect. A squeegee followed by a microfiber cloth picks up the remaining moisture without leaving streaks the way paper towels can.
While you are up close, look at the windows themselves. Drafts you can feel with your hand, condensation between the panes and sashes that stick are all signs the window is past its best. You can read more about what to do about sun-damaged windows, and if yours are worn out, new vinyl replacement windows will make the rooms noticeably less drafty.
Change the furnace filter and have the heating system serviced
Swapping a furnace filter takes a few minutes, and a clean filter helps the system run more efficiently, which keeps heating bills in check. Have the heating system serviced by a professional once a year as well.
If you plan to be away for more than a week during cold weather, take precautions so the pipes do not freeze. A problem that starts while nobody is home can turn into an expensive repair.
Check your smoke detector batteries
Smoke detectors only protect you when their batteries work. Press the test button on each one, replace weak or dead batteries right away, and make a note of the date. Changing the batteries twice a year, once before summer and once before winter, is an easy routine to remember.
Improve the lighting in busy rooms
A new light fixture is a simple way to make a room feel updated, and it matters most in the months when it gets dark early. Start with high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, hallway or foyer. Pick a fixture that gives enough light for the space and suits the style of the house. If you are not comfortable with wiring, have an electrician install it.
Look at Your Front Door
December is when a tired front door shows its age. If you feel cold air around the edges, see daylight at the threshold, or have to push hard to get it to latch, the door is costing you comfort and heat.
Ask yourself a few questions before you decide what to do. Does the door need to be replaced, or only the weatherstripping? What material and style would suit the house? What kind of lock do you want? A contractor who installs entry doors and patio doors can look at the current door and frame and tell you what a replacement would involve and what it would cost.
Adding one of today’s storm doors is another option. It puts a second barrier between your entry door and the winter wind, and it lets in light on mild days. For more inspiration, see these front door ideas to boost curb appeal.
Use the Quiet Season to Plan Bigger Projects
You do not have to finish everything this month. Winter is a good time to measure, compare options and gather estimates for exterior home improvements that add value, so the work is already lined up when spring arrives.
Walk around the house and write down what bothers you: a drafty window, a loose railing, a door that sticks, a patio that gets too hot in July. That list makes the conversation with a contractor much quicker.
Get Help With Windows and Doors This Winter
Aladdin Inc is a family-owned company in Wallingford that has worked on Connecticut homes since 1949. If your December list includes new windows, a front door or a storm door, call (203) 776-9996 or contact us to request an estimate.