Time is one of the biggest challenges a homeowner faces. Wear and tear, weather conditions and just it's age in general will have our homes looking tattered and torn if we don't keep up with regular home maintenance. From the exterior to the interior and everything in between, here are eight upgrades you should consider making to your older home.
8 Ways To Upgrade An Older Home
Windows
Many homeowners don't realize how much of an impact their windows have on their home overall. Older windows are typically single pane, and not at all as energy efficient as their double and triple paned counterparts, resulting in higher energy bills. If replacing your windows is out of your budget right now, consider using weatherstripping and caulking, as well as a window insulation shrink kit in winter. Wondering how energy efficient your home is? Use the EPA's Home Energy Yardstick, which provides a simple assessment of your home's annual energy use compared to similar homes.
Stone Work
There's nothing more beautiful in a home than the look of natural stone, whether it's used on the exterior like a wall or patio floor, or on the interior, like a fireplace surround or exposed chimney. Older stone tends to darken with age, and regardless of the application, will need to be cleaned and maintained just like any other building material. The best solution for cleaning exterior stonework? Power washing. This will help to remove moss, mildew and other debris from between the cracks and joints. Just be sure to use the lowest PSI setting, as power washing can damage and / or loosen mortar.
Brick Exteriors
Obvi, not all homes are made of stone. Your home's exterior could be covered in anything from wood shingles, vinyl siding or brick. Ah, brick. According to Bob Vila, on top of its durability and aesthetic, "buildings with brick masonry can be better at cooling down during hot weather than framed and sided houses". If you have a brick home, be sure to inspect the mortar regularly and patch as necessary. If you happen to find moss, mildew or mold, use a solution of one cup of chlorine bleach mixed with a gallon of water and scrub the affected area with a natural or synthetic bristle brush; a wire brush could leave steel remnants behind that can rust and discolor the bricks.
Obvi, not all homes are made of stone. Your home's exterior could be covered in anything from wood shingles, vinyl siding or brick. Ah, brick. According to Bob Vila, on top of its durability and aesthetic, "buildings with brick masonry can be better at cooling down during hot weather than framed and sided houses". If you have a brick home, be sure to inspect the mortar regularly and patch as necessary. If you happen to find moss, mildew or mold, use a solution of one cup of chlorine bleach mixed with a gallon of water and scrub the affected area with a natural or synthetic bristle brush; a wire brush could leave steel remnants behind that can rust and discolor the bricks.
Tile
Generally found in bathrooms, kitchens and as flooring in high traffic areas, tile is a great material to work with in the home thanks to its durability, attractiveness and low maintenance. And while a damaged tile in any other room could be nothing more than just an eyesore, damaged tile in the bathroom could spell trouble. Cracked floor tiles, for example, can create an opening that may allow moisture to reach the subfloor. Cracked tiles in the tub surround can mean water damage to the backerboard. If you spot any cracked or damaged tile (or even missing grout), you should take steps to fix and repair as soon as possible before a small headache becomes a real nightmare.
Generally found in bathrooms, kitchens and as flooring in high traffic areas, tile is a great material to work with in the home thanks to its durability, attractiveness and low maintenance. And while a damaged tile in any other room could be nothing more than just an eyesore, damaged tile in the bathroom could spell trouble. Cracked floor tiles, for example, can create an opening that may allow moisture to reach the subfloor. Cracked tiles in the tub surround can mean water damage to the backerboard. If you spot any cracked or damaged tile (or even missing grout), you should take steps to fix and repair as soon as possible before a small headache becomes a real nightmare.
Outdoor Metals
Metals like wrought iron have been a staple of outdoor furniture and fencing for decades. But just like other metals, wrought iron can rust over time. To keep your outdoor metals looking new, be sure to clean them using a rag and warm, soapy water. For hard to reach areas and other crevices, use a toothbrush. Rinse well with clean water to remove all of the soap and allow to air dry. If you come across any rust spots, simply buff them away using a wire brush or sandpaper, then apply a coat of primer and paint with a a rust-resistant protective enamel paint.
Carpets
We've said it before: carpet stains are a drag. Aside from cracked floor tiles, nothing will make an older home look more dated and worn than stained carpets. As far as home improvements are concerned, replacing wall to wall carpeting is at the affordable end of the spectrum, with certain styles and piles hovering around the $63-$108 per square yard range (excluding installation). Our suggestion before you buy? Rent a carpet cleaner from a reputable company like Rug Doctor, and spend a Saturday giving your carpets a thorough cleaning. If there's no saving the carpet--say, worn pile and disintegrating padding--then don't even waste your time. Replacing is going to be your best bet.
Metals like wrought iron have been a staple of outdoor furniture and fencing for decades. But just like other metals, wrought iron can rust over time. To keep your outdoor metals looking new, be sure to clean them using a rag and warm, soapy water. For hard to reach areas and other crevices, use a toothbrush. Rinse well with clean water to remove all of the soap and allow to air dry. If you come across any rust spots, simply buff them away using a wire brush or sandpaper, then apply a coat of primer and paint with a a rust-resistant protective enamel paint.
Carpets
We've said it before: carpet stains are a drag. Aside from cracked floor tiles, nothing will make an older home look more dated and worn than stained carpets. As far as home improvements are concerned, replacing wall to wall carpeting is at the affordable end of the spectrum, with certain styles and piles hovering around the $63-$108 per square yard range (excluding installation). Our suggestion before you buy? Rent a carpet cleaner from a reputable company like Rug Doctor, and spend a Saturday giving your carpets a thorough cleaning. If there's no saving the carpet--say, worn pile and disintegrating padding--then don't even waste your time. Replacing is going to be your best bet.
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Landscaping
As time goes on, fewer and fewer homes are being built with designated garden space. However, if you are lucky enough to have a home with a garden, then you are aware of the work which goes into maintaining it. You shouldn't shy away of creating an attractive landscape just because it's hard work though: gardening guru or not, it doesn't take much to create an attractive landscape. Take a weekend and tick the following off your landscaping list:
Major Appliances
Aside from replacing dated carpeting, if there's one thing you take away from this post it's to replace old, dated appliances. Today's appliances are energy efficient, using much less energy than their ancestors. About 20% of the electricity you use in your home comes from your appliances, and Energy Star-certified appliances can reduce that share. Some appliances you should consider upgrading include:
As time goes on, fewer and fewer homes are being built with designated garden space. However, if you are lucky enough to have a home with a garden, then you are aware of the work which goes into maintaining it. You shouldn't shy away of creating an attractive landscape just because it's hard work though: gardening guru or not, it doesn't take much to create an attractive landscape. Take a weekend and tick the following off your landscaping list:
- Weed any garden beds you have
- Cut back vines and any other overgrown shrubbery
- Pick up sticks, twigs and felled tree branches (and bag any other trash in your yard, including dog poop)
- Mow your lawn to a height of no less than 3"
- Trim edges along fences and walkways
- Replace missing gravel where necessary, and add new mulch to flower beds
- No green thumb? Try using artificial flowers and plants
Major Appliances
Aside from replacing dated carpeting, if there's one thing you take away from this post it's to replace old, dated appliances. Today's appliances are energy efficient, using much less energy than their ancestors. About 20% of the electricity you use in your home comes from your appliances, and Energy Star-certified appliances can reduce that share. Some appliances you should consider upgrading include:
- Refrigerator: Fridges that are Energy Star-certified use up to 40% less energy than conventional models that were sold in 2001.
- Dishwasher: Energy Star-certified dishwashers clock in at 12% more efficient than non-certified models currently for sale.
- Clothes Dryer: Clothes dryers that are Energy Star-certified use about 20% less electricity than conventional models.
Hopefully we've given you a few ideas on how to update your older home. But if you're considering major renovations in your older home, such as tearing out walls and rewiring electricity, you may have to contend with more than just rust and a few broken tiles. Here's what you should look out for when doing major renovations on an older home:
Infographic courtesy of bestpickreports.com
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