Don't Let Cold Weather Stall Home Improvement Projects

by | May 9, 2009 | 17, Articles

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Don’t Let Cold Weather Stall Home Improvement Projects</font></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">(ARA) – Cold, harsh winter weather has arrived. Home improvement projects may not be at the top of your to-do list, but this is a great time of year to consider potential exterior enhancements. Planning and preparing are important steps for any home improvement project, and what better time to start than now?</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Potential Projects</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>* Driveway</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">If your driveway is in need of repair, it’s a good idea to fill any cracks before the winter weather creates more damage. Consider a product such as TAMKO’s Overdrive Rubberized Driveway Crack Filler, which can be used to repair cracks up to a half-inch wide and performs in all temperatures. If you delay filling the cracks in your driveway, you could end up with expensive repairs.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/17b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/17b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>* Roof</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Your roof represents nearly 50 percent of your home’s exterior protection, and it’s important to ensure your roof is ready for the rough winter. If you’re contemplating a roof repair or upgrade, it is important to research all options before making a choice.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">A popular roofing choice is asphalt shingles, which cover nearly 85 percent of homes in America. You may want to consider a premium asphalt shingle, which typically comes with a longer warranty and additional advantages that could save you money in the future. For instance, TAMKO’s Heritage Vintage laminated asphalt shingles resemble wood shake and offer a 50-year limited warranty.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Develop a List</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Before you begin making home improvements, it’s a good idea to develop a list of what you hope to accomplish. You should also keep your budget in mind because the cost of construction materials has risen more than 10 percent during the past year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"After determining your projects, it is time to prioritize and select how you’re going to tackle these home improvements," says Stephen McNally, vice president of sales and marketing for TAMKO Building Products, Inc. "For some projects you should consider consulting a professional before taking any action."</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/11a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/11a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Schedule a Professional</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">This time of year, contractors and builders are anxious to schedule outdoor projects for the following spring. If you plan to work with a professional on your exterior home improvement projects, then consider contacting them now. You may have a better chance of being first in line once construction season begins.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>No Better Time Than Now</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Now that you have a list of home improvement projects, it’s important to put your plan in motion. "Don’t allow the weather to discourage you," says McNally. "We typically have more idle time during the cold, winter months and this is a good time of year to begin planning those home improvement projects you’ve been delaying."</p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Courtesy ARAcontent</span></p></span>