Winter is coming
For some people, getting holed up in a cold, dark room makes them feel a little bit depressed. The absence of bright sunlight disrupts the body’s internal clock, which causes serotonin levels to drop. Referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it leads to feelings of depression.
10 handy tips to get your home ready for winter
Don’t let winter get you down. These handy tips from Blinds Quickly will help you get the home winter-ready and ensure that the need for expensive repairs does not occur while also keeping everyone sane:
- Insulate the home
- Seal the windows and doors
- Warm-up with a heater
- Heat the home with a fireplace
- Get the roof ready for the rain
- Prepare the veranda
- Cover the floor
- Change the lights
- Keep the inside of a house smelling fresh
- Empty the pool.
Insulate the home
Insulating the home can cut heating costs by up to 30% and can keep the house toasty in winter. In addition, insulating the ceiling prevents heat from escaping through the roof and reduces greenhouse gas emissions as it improves energy efficiency.
Wall insulation can also be installed within stud frames, wall cavities, and inside or outside the walls. Heating the floor can also help improve home heating and place rugs on the floor.
Seal the windows and doors
If your home gets too chilly in winter, it probably means that heat is escaping from the doors or windows. Always check that the doors and windows do not need any repairs. Also, make sure that glass panes are in proper shape and there are no broken or cracked glass.
Window shutters and blinds are some of the most inexpensive ways to warm a home. Solid shutters are recommended because the wood panels, decorative coating and vapour barriers act as insulation.
Make sure to leave the shutters open during the day to let the warmth of the sun in and close them at night so that the warmth does not escape. Weatherstripping or caulking can also help to prevent draughts that enter from windows and doors.
Warm-up with a heater
Using an electric or a gas heater is one of the easiest ways to keep a home warm. Flued and un-flued gas heaters are a cheaper way to heat a home. Just choose a model with the most stars on its energy rating sticker and place it in the middle of the room, safely.
Electric heaters come in various types, including convection, column, radiant, fan and storage heaters. Reverse cycle air conditioners can also function as heaters during the cold months.
Heat your home with a fireplace
A fireplace creates a cosy atmosphere whilst naturally heating a home. It is the best option for making a stylish statement, and it comes in several types. Almost any home can be fitted with a gas, freestanding, pellet burning, masonry or prefabricated fireplace. Warming up in front of the fire is one of the best things that one can do in winter. Just do clean the fireplace regularly and clean or inspect it at least once a year.
Get the roof ready for the rain
When it comes to getting gutters and downpipes ready for the winter rains, there is no better time to do it than autumn. It is when leaves and twigs start falling off the trees. Make sure to clear all this debris. Also, check for other blockages and rust, as these may cause flooding. Pruning trees near the roof can prevent debris from collecting in gutters. Do not forget to also fix any missing or cracked tiles.
Prepare the veranda
An outdoorsy type of person will not let anything keep them holed up indoors, including winter weather. Put outdoor spaces such as yards and pergolas to good use by installing an outdoor heater. This type of heater radiates heat that will keep people warm but will not heat the air.
A tabletop heater or a chiminea, which is a large clay pot that works like a chimney, can be used to keep cosy outdoors in case of limited space. A stylish outdoor fireplace can also be used for that extra warmth and ambience.
Cover the floor
It is difficult to walk on a cold floor. Hardwood, tiles, concrete and other hard floors can get extremely cold in winter. They also do not hold any heat, so try adding a rug to make them warm. Rugs not only make a room cosy – they are also good at retaining heat.
Change the lights
Lights can really change the feel of a home. Soft mood lighting can get the house ready for winter as it adds warmth and creates the perfect mood for chilly winter nights. Dim mood lighting adds to the wintry charm of a room.
Keep the inside of a house smelling fresh
Airing out a room feels harder to do in winter, so, to make sure furniture and carpets especially smell fresh, sprinkle some baking soda, let it soak for 15 minutes, and then vacuum or brush it off. Adding drops of essential oils inside the toilet paper roll can make bathrooms smell better.
Empty the pool
Swimming pools are great during summer, but they become quite a liability in winter. Like the rest of the home, they also need to be prepared for the cold months. This means emptying them of water whilst the temperature outside is still warm enough. After all, not everyone is brave enough to swim when it is below 10 degrees Celsius. Make sure the swimming pools are also free of any leaves and debris.
Don’t get caught-out when winter arrives
As you prepare your wardrobe and even mindset for the coming winter, you’ll need to ready your home as well. Blinds Quickly can help you to make your windows not only chic and elegant, we can also prepare you for the cold months ahead. We offer a variety of window blinds to help you achieve the right ambiance whilst keeping your home warm. Send us an email to info@blindsquickly.com.au or call us on 1300 112 333 to learn more about our products and services.
