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5 Popular Home Projects You Should Skip This Summer and Save for Winter

ByStan S.

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Summertime is an excellent opportunity to get a head start on a few home improvement projects, but not every job benefits from the heat and humidity of the season. Bubbling paint, unsafe temperatures in the attic, and waiting for more comfortable working conditions are all reasons you should consider putting off certain jobs this summer. And before you think you’re off the hook from any DIY renovations this season, we rounded up a few that are worth focusing on now, while the weather is warm and favorable for outdoor work.

5 Projects to Skip This Summer and Save for Winter

1. Fixture and Hardware Upgrades

While you’re spending time indoors during the winter, you might notice more things about your house that you want to change or upgrade, or you might be looking for quick and easy ways to add more interest, personality, and style to your home. Swapping out your fixtures and hardware can give your home a fresh look in a matter of minutes, and you can stay warm indoors while you work. “Upgrading light fixtures, cabinet pulls, door handles, or even installing smart home devices can significantly enhance your home’s aesthetic and functionality without being weather-dependent,” explains Shimek.

2. Insulation and Weather Stripping

Spending time in your attic messing with insulation in the summer is probably the last thing you want to do, but there are other reasons to put off this project until cooler weather arrives. In the winter, you’ll be better able to identify cold spots leaking in from damaged weather stripping and other flaws in your home’s insulation. Additionally, there will be no delay in feeling the effects of a job well done. “You’ll immediately feel the impact of improved insulation and sealed drafts as your home becomes warmer and your heating bills potentially decrease,” says Shimek.

3. Interior Painting

Painting the interior of your home during the summertime can come with a few obstacles, one of which is humidity. Moisture is a major culprit in sabotaging paint drying time. When paint doesn’t dry properly, it can lead to bubbles, cracking, and mildew issues if you’re not careful. Although Shimek says some ventilation is needed to help the paint dry during the winter, the lower humidity levels go a long way in getting walls and ceilings dry in a reasonable amount of time. Plus, the home project pro says it’s a great way to give your living spaces a fresh look during a season when you’ll be spending a lot of time inside.

4. Minor Remodels

The key here is minor, as you’ll likely spend a lot of time indoors during the winter, so whatever construction you do will likely happen while the whole family is underfoot. It is best to schedule these projects during the winter when the weather can be unstable. “These indoor projects don’t rely on good weather and can significantly improve the comfort and functionality of your home during the months you use them most,” says Shimek. Low-key bath and kitchen remodels are both projects you can move from your summertime to-do list to your wintertime schedule.

5. Dryer Vent and Chimney Cleaning

“These are crucial safety projects, especially as you begin to use your dryer more frequently and your fireplace for warmth,” says Shimek. Hiring professionals to clean your dryer vent can reduce your fire risk, while a professional chimney cleaning can prevent creosote buildup. Creosote is a tar-like byproduct of smoke from wood-burning fires that forms on the interior of the chimney. It can be a fire hazard and a health risk. Get these projects squared away early in the season to ensure your home is safe and prepared for the cold weather ahead.

5 Projects to Do Instead This Summer

When the weather is nice and you are eager for a home improvement project, get a jump on these projects that are ideal for summertime.

1. Exterior Painting

Hold off on exterior painting until days when the temperature is warm and the humidity is low. In some areas, particularly in the South, this might mean starting or completing the project early or late in the season, when the weather is moderate. These conditions are ideal for allowing paint to dry properly without cracking, bubbling, or mildew issues, says Shimek.

2. Deck and Patio Refinishing

One bonus of the summer heat is how quickly it dries surfaces, like when a sudden summer rainstorm hits and the puddles vanish before our eyes after the sun comes out. It turns out that this phenomenon is also beneficial when it comes to pressure washing, staining, sealing, and sanding patios and decks. Shimek says the warm, dry conditions help the materials dry properly, which means they should last longer.

3. Window and Door Work

Consider any window-related projects for another early- or late-season job. “Replacing windows and exterior doors is less disruptive when the weather is mild, as it exposes the interior of your home to the elements for a period,” says Shimek. He also advises replacing or repairing window screens during this time.

4. Gutter Repair and Installation

Summer is a great time to repair, install, and clean out your gutters. “With less rain and no risk of ice in summer, it’s easier and safer to work on gutters,” says Shimek. “You can clean out debris, check for leaks, and make sure there is adequate drainage before fall rains and winter snows.”

5. Landscaping Updates

If you’ve been wanting to add some new shrubs or maybe even a new paver path, summer is the ideal time to do so. “With ample daylight and favorable growing conditions, summer is prime time for enhancing your outdoor spaces,” says Shimek. Installing landscape lighting, building a garden bed, and adding a small shed are all on his list of top projects.

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    5 Mistakes Youre Making in Your Backyard That Could Be Raising Your Energy Bill This Summer

    ByStan S.

    Between watering the lawn, grilling, and spending more time outside overall, the backyard uses a lot of energy during the hot summer months. While much of the energy consumption is necessary, there are five major pitfalls experts say you can avoid to keep energy bills down. Actions as simple as unplugging string lights when you go in for the night or turning off the grill as soon as you’re done cooking decrease energy use and leave more money in your wallet. Read on to discover five hidden backyard issues that could be driving up your utility bills and expert-approved ways to fix them. Tim Heneveld is the country director for PERGOLUX North America, a pergola and other outdoor products company. Mark Feygin is the founder and CEO of PowerSetter, a digital energy comparison platform. Lou Manfredini is the resident home expert at Ace Hardware. Andy Fox is the filtration and indoor air quality specialist at 3M. 1. Lack of Shaded Areas in the Backyard A pretty pergola is a great way to upgrade your outdoor space, but thanks to the shade it provides, the structure can also lower your energy bills if placed near your home. “When your backyard lacks shade, the sun will beat down on your home’s exterior, and this will raise indoor temperatures, especially through South and West-facing windows,” says Tim Heneveld, country director for PERGOLUX North America. This forces your air conditioning unit to work overtime, which causes spikes in your energy bills. Heneveld recommends strategically incorporating shaded areas, including structures and landscaping, into your backyard for one of the smartest and most underrated ways to cut cooling costs. “If you install structures like a pergola or a retractable awning, you can block intense afternoon sun while still letting in airflow,” he says. 2. Plugged-In and Wired Outdoor Lights Whether it’s wall sconces or string lights, plugged-in and wired outdoor lights can kill your energy bills. “With longer daylight hours and more time spent outdoors, many homeowners run these lights more than they realize, which adds up quickly on the electric bill,” says Mark Feygin, founder and CEO of PowerSetter. He explains this is especially true if the lights use older, inefficient light bulbs or stay on for long periods of time every night. To reduce your energy costs, Feygin recommends switching to solar-powered outdoor lights. “They charge throughout the day using sunlight and require no electricity from your home, meaning they provide ambient lighting at night without increasing your utility bill,” he says. The switch is a simple upgrade that can lead to noticeable savings in the summer. 3. Leaving a Grill Plugged In for Too Long If you fire up the grill regularly over the summer, there’s a good chance it’s making your energy bills higher. Ace Hardware’s home expert, Lou Manfredini, says that if you are using a gas or electric grill, it should generally take 15 to 20 minutes to get it to the right temperature, after which you should do your grilling, then turn the appliance off. “Allowing too much time for warm-ups and forgetting to shut things down can add to your energy bills,” Manfredini warns. 4. Dirty HVAC Unit Cranking up the air conditioning unit is inevitable during the hot summer months, but a dirty HVAC unit could be contributing to excessively high energy bills. “If the small metal fins on the outdoor unit get clogged with dust, grass clippings, or airborne seeds, the overall cooling efficiency of the HVAC system will deteriorate, and the system will consume more energy to provide the same cooling effect,” says Andy Fox, filtration and indoor air quality specialist at 3M. For this reason, Fox stresses the importance of regularly cleaning your outdoor unit. “Consider using a shop vac to remove large debris (if you have access) and then use a hose to wash the remaining debris away after first turning off the electrical power,” Fox says. Additionally, he advises that you change your HVAC filters at least every 90 days for best performance. 5. Overwatering Your Lawn A lush green lawn is the ultimate way to boost your home’s summer curb appeal, but regulating how much water you use is key to preventing high energy bills. Overwatering your grass can lead to a huge water bill, and forgetting to turn off the irrigation system can waste large amounts of water. To avoid using too much water and seeing your utility bills skyrocket, Manfredini recommends adding a water timer that helps get the right amount of water on the lawn and turns off by itself.

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    Canadian Dental Care Plan applications are now open for people under 35

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    3 Things I Learned Hanging Grasscloth Wallpaperand 1 Big Mistake to Avoid

    ByStan S.

    Grasscloth wallpaper is notoriously difficult to install. Real grasscloth wallpaper is made from natural fibers like jute, hemp, arrowroot, or seagrass, which are handwoven and backed with paper. The organic construction is super fragile (it tears more easily than vinyl or synthetic papers), and the natural fibers actually absorb adhesive and moisture, which poses the risk of staining or warping. On top of that, grasscloth wallpaper is super difficult to trim because the natural fibers fray when cut, making clean edges very hard to achieve. You also only have one chance to apply it to the wall, as  repositioning can stretch or damage the delicate paper backing and fibers. Now, I have my fair share of experience installing wallpaper. That said: If you’re not experienced with wallpaper, definitely call a professional before attempting grasscloth. Call me crazy, but I actually love putting up wallpaper. I’ve installed almost every kind: ultra-patterned, textured vinyls, peel-and-stick—you name it. But I’ll admit, I was nervous to attempt grasscloth. I knew it can be finicky (and I can be a little clumsy) but I figured that I’m relatively experienced with wallpaper, so I’d give it a shot. Here are the top 3 things I learned—plus one huge mistake to avoid. Key Takeaways Real grasscloth wallpaper, made from natural fibers like jute or seagrass, is extremely fragile and sensitive to moisture, paste, and pressure. Prep and precision are everything: successful installation depends on meticulous preparation. Patience pays off (but it’s not for beginners). Even for an experienced wallpaperer, installing grasscloth was time-consuming and mentally taxing. Credit: David Tsay 1. Do: Paste the Paper and the Wall Most grasscloth wallpapers will call for the paste the paper method, where you apply the paste directly to the back of the wallpaper. Actually pasting the grasscloth is probably the stickiest part of the process, figuratively and literally. You need to find the sweet spot. Too much and you risk it seeping out the seams and staining the edges, but you need enough to make the wallpaper pliable and have it actually stick to the wall.  To get the right amount, I used a foam roller to apply the paste (I used Roman’s Ultra-Premium Clear Pro 880), then used a brush to do the edges. I made sure to apply enough that the wallpaper would actually stick to the wall, but not too much that would pool under the paper. Evenly spread coats are key; avoid leaving spots with excess, pooling paste. This will create problems later on. After I booked the panel (a common paste-the-paper step that allows the wallpaper to absorb the paste and expand before being hung on the wall) I used the roller to apply a small amount of paste (I’m talking an ultra-thin layer) to the wall. 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Use super sharp, clean scissors to cut the wallpaper panels, then use a very sharp knife to trim the edges once it’s up. If you’re working in an inside corner, cut two separate panels that join together. (However, if you’re wrapping around a corner, work with a single large panel.) Make sure your knife always stays sharp as you work. Dull knives risk damaging the paper and make for messy, frayed edges. 3. Do: Plan Panels Before You Start Unlike regular wallpaper, grasscloth is not all the same. Because its handmade from natural fibers, every single roll is different and color can vary from one roll to the next. That said, plan your roll transitions carefully. When you’re wallpapering a large focal wall, use as much of the same roll as you can, with the main panels coming from the same roll. If you were to use one panel from one roll and another from the next in the center of a focal wall, you risk a major color difference right in the middle of the room. 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