Staff writer
Indoor projects can help pass time during cold weather and could help owners lower their utility bills.
Bathroom and kitchen remodels are popular winter home improvement projects, said Morgan Wheeler at The Building Center in Marion.
Wheeler said faucets, sinks, vanities, tubs, showers, toilets, or walk-in showers can be replaced or added during cold winter months.
Mildewed bathroom tiles can be re-grouted to give the bathroom a fresher appearance.
Outdated kitchen cabinets and counters, or plumbing fixtures such as sinks and faucets can also be tackled during winter.
Dated kitchen appliances can be switched out to newer models.
Indoor walls can get new coats of paint, and trim work or drywall can be replaced.
“Flooring is a big one,” Wheeler said. “Also people will often times end up replacing windows or doors during winter time because that’s when they realize it’s leaking air.”
If a door doesn’t need to be replaced, it can be refurbished or repainted to give it a new look.
Before the weather gets really cold, grass, shrubs, and trees can be fertilized to protect them during the coldest months.
Thermostats can be replaced with programmable ones that will save utility costs when set to cooler temperatures during daytime hours when the family is at work and school and warm up the house before people arrive home.
Attic insulation can be added during winter — another utility-cost saving project. So can insulation around basement windows.