6 Reasons to do Home Improvement Projects in the Winter

Many homeowners don’t consider winter as a good time to get home repairs and improvement projects done. Understandably so, as the busy holiday season can be a hectic time for everyone (not to mention the cold, wet weather that comes along with it!). However, the winter can be an ideal time to complete those projects you’ve been sitting on. Not convinced?  Here are 5 reasons winter is the best time to do home improvement projects:

1. Contractor Availability: Because most people do not invest in major home projects during the winter, contractors have increased availability during this time,

making it more convenient for you to schedule a time to meet with them. This also provides for a quicker timeline for your project to be completed, unlike during the busy spring or summer when scheduling construction may be pushed out several weeks, or months!

2. You Have More Free Time: Depending on their occupation, most people have a fair amount of off-time during the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s all provide for time away from the office, freeing up time for research, gathering estimates, meeting with contractors, and scheduling construction.

3. Smart Savings: Since business is slower in the cold months, savings can sometimes be found on items like doors, windows, tile, flooring and even lumber. You’d be surprised at the amount of money you can save!

4. Better Clean-up Technology: It may have been the case in the past that doing indoor projects during the winter would lead to a mess in the house. However, today’s technology, such as negative pressure fans and plastic zip doors, will help confine the dust and fumes to the area of the project itself (without interfering with your holiday décor!).

5. Trees are easier to trim: Trees are dormant and leafless in the winter, making it easier to see exactly where on the branch you want to cut. Take advantage of the winter to get rid of those branches that have been blocking your view or encroaching on your house.

6. You Can Make Spring & Summer Plans: With your big home projects behind you, your spring and summer will be wide-open for vacations, house parties, and relaxation! You can enjoy the New Year with the peace of mind that your home improvement projects have been completed!

So if you’re ready to get your home improvement projects completed before spring rolls around, contact Maze Lumber today – we’d be happy to help you out!

Maze Lumber is dedicated to providing our customers with superior service.

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MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street

P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354
Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed

Advantages and Disadvantages To Exterior Doors

So you’ve decided you’re ready to buy new exterior doors for your home. But you’re having a hard time figuring out which type of door you want. That’s where Maze Lumber can help!. We're here to give you some of the basic facts you should know when you go to purchase a door.

There are three common exterior doors you can choose from: fiberglass, steel or wood. Each type of door has its advantages and disadvantages.

EXTERIOR FIBERGLASS DOOR

Let’s start with fiberglass doors. Fiberglass doors are energy efficient. These doors offer up to four times the insulation that wood offers. They also require minimal to no maintenance. These doors won’t warp or deteriorate over time like wood can. They also aren’t going to dent or rust as a steel door might. Some people choose not to buy fiberglass because they want the authenticity that wood offers. However, you can order your fiberglass door with a wood grain or smooth finish. Then the doors can be stained or painted. One disadvantage of fiberglass doors is the cost. Fiberglass exterior doors can be double the price of a steel door. Once people hear the price, they sometimes shy away from purchasing.

EXTERIOR STEEL DOOR

Speaking of steel door, they are the next option on our list today. Just like fiberglass doors, they too are energy efficient. However, they aren’t as efficient as fiberglass but they offer good insulating value. Depending on your environment or location, they require less maintenance. Steel doors don’t do well near the water. We wouldn’t recommend them for anyone with waterfront property because they will rust overtime from the moisture. Steel doors can easily be dented as well as scratched. They can be painted, but not stained. Steel exterior doors are not available with a wood grain; they all come with a smooth finish. Their big advantage is they are far less expensive. It’s still a great quality door for about half the price.

EXTERIOR WOOD DOORS

Last, but certainly not least, are beautiful wood doors. Wood doors are seriously hit or miss. People love them because they can give your home that “high-end look.” Like we stated before about wanting authenticity, you can’t get more genuine than with real wood. Wood doors are warm and inviting. People love their natural beauty and are easily drawn to wood doors. If scratched, wood doors are easy to repair because you can simply sand it down and re-finish it. However, wood doors definitely have their disadvantages as well. They require regular maintenance. The finish on a wood door will fade over time. Usually, people who purchase a wood door are told to refinish the door every 1-2 years. Here at Maze Lumber, we also recommend people to consider some sort of overhang to protect the door from precipitation. Wood doors easily absorb moisture and this can cause the door to warp or rot. They are also the least energy efficient out of the three types and can also be very expensive.

Now that you know some facts about exterior doors, come in a take a peek at what we have to offer. We know all doors have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately the decision is yours. Take all of these pros and cons into consideration when you go to look for a new door.

Maze Lumber is dedicated to providing our customers with superior service.

Don't forget!!!

Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Check us out on Instagram!

MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street

P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354
Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed

8 Home Remodel New Year’s Resolutions

Check your home’s safety

Review your home for safety basics such as carbon monoxide detectors, fire hazard prevention, places for common falls, etc. Don’t hesitate to call in a professional when you need to!

Become more energy efficient

Whether this means using less heat or upgrading your appliances, aiming for an energy efficient home means you lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Who could ask for more? A few energy efficient improvements:

• Low-pressure shower heads
• New washer/dryer
• Check windows and doors for drafts
• Insulate
• Low-flow toilets
• Energy-efficient light bulbs
• Programmable thermostat – adjust the temperature when you’re at home vs. away. You can control thermostats from your smart phone and return the temperature to a comfortable level before you even return home.
• Check HVAC system and fix bugs

Overhaul the room nobody uses

Most houses have one of these rooms – it’s pristinely decorated, but it never gets touched. You can’t even remember the last time you sat on the couch. You don’t need to let that valuable square footage go to waste. Find a way to revamp the room and make it useful. Whether you transform its purpose or knock down a wall to expand the room next door, you’ll be grateful for the change.

Start building a home improvement budget

Depending on the size of the project, your home improvement project may cost a few bucks. Start budgeting for your dream home now, so you don’t have to cut any corners in the future.

Build better storage

Stop tripping over stray toys and digging for that missing mitten. Make a small investment in great home storage solutions (think: hidden shelving, improved entryway, new shed) and save yourself more than a few headaches.

Invest in the things you love

When do you feel the most at peace in your home? Is it sitting on the porch? Relaxing in a bubble bath? Watching movies with your family? Identify your favorite home activities, and build out that part of your home. Refinish your deck, remodel your bathroom, or finish your basement as a movie theater. When the space is more available to you, you are more likely to make use of it.

Pay attention to the details

Spend a month building up a list of small home improvements. Keep an eye out for problems such as grungy outlet covers and chipped window paint. At the end of the month, divvy up the tasks and devote the next month to getting them all done. These small projects shouldn’t take too long to complete, and they will make a huge difference in your home. This Old House made a handy list of potential fixes for your home.

Pick a pet project

Focus your year on one big home improvement project. Devote the year (or just a part of it) to research, planning, and pricing. By taking the extra time, you ensure you will plan for a project that you’ll love in the long term, and you will be more prepared for common hiccups and even be able to avoid them. Your researching planning can include Pinterest boards, drawing inspiration from friends’ homes, heading to your local home improvement store, vetting potential contractors, and setting a realistic budget.