* This is a repeat post but worth posting again as winter will be here before you know it.
Now is the time to begin preparations for the long, cold months ahead. These 7 tips on getting your home ready for winter apply to most homeowners:
- Make sure your furnace is ready. You don’t want to be stuck on the first cold day of the season without heat. Change filters and stock up on new ones. Schedule a repair if needed. Heating professionals are busy and become even busier when the unprepared realize too late that their furnaces need fixing.
- Get your chimney checked by a professional and have it cleaned. Animals like to build nests in chimney flues which is a safety concern, as is creosote buildup. For more information on the care and keeping of chimneys, visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America’s website.
- Test your smoke alarms. You should be doing this monthly as it is, according to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). The agency recommends replacing the batteries at least once a year and replacing units every 10 years.
- Blow out your sprinkler system. Turn off outside spigots and drain them as well. Cold weather can cause freezing, which is an expensive headache you won’t want to deal with later.
- Clean gutters. Clogged gutters prevent water from properly draining and can also fill with ice and cause snow buildup on your roof. The weight from snow, and then subsequent leaking from melting snow, can seriously damage your roof.
- Clean and dry patio furniture and store it away from the elements.
- Trim bushes and branches that are near the house to prevent damage during severe weather.
For more tips, read this. Then get to work! And if you have any useful tips that have worked for you, let me know in the comments!
I have had the pleasure of attending Haven, a design and DIY blogging conference in Atlanta, Ga. My company recently sponsored a session with our Aspect Peel & Stick metal, glass and stone backsplash panels.
We had the opportunity to meet with some of the best and the brightest in the DIY blogger community. We also learned about tools, products and projects, and what’s hot in the DIY world.
One of those best and brightest was Wendy Scheel, of Old Lake George blog and an Etsy store by the same name.
Wendy wanted to give our Aspect stone tiles a whirl. However, she had completed a backsplash project of her own just a few weeks prior. Instead, she decided to install our Aspect Iron Slate peel and stick tiles at the home of Jimmy and Nikki, her neighbors.
Iron Slate is one of 9 colors offered in the new Aspect stone line which consists of a revolutionary lightweight and flexible tile product made of genuine, thin-cut stone. You get the look and texture of designer stone tile at a fraction of the price. With its easy, peel and stick installation, it requires no contractor, grout, mortar, or complicated or expensive tools.
She details the start of the project in a blog post, and gives some helpful tips. We are loving the results these Minnesota Vikings fans got with their new kitchen backsplash (even though we’re diehard Packers fans).
Thanks for sharing your experience, Wendy!
Wall murals have been around for thousands of years. The first cave dwellers depicted daily life by scratching images into their surroundings. Wall murals continue to remain popular today.
Typically, wall murals are found in public spaces, government buildings or corporate environments. This is due primarily to the high cost of a custom installation. Depending upon where you live, and the quality of the artist, a custom wall mural can cost several thousand dollars. Rolled, adhesive murals (similar to wallpaper), are also fairly expensive and are not without their installation challenges.
Fasade Wall Panels
One alternative to a custom painted wall mural is Fasade wall panels. Made of decorative vinyl, Fasade wall panels bring beauty and value to any room in your home. With their textured aesthetic, these panels add depth and interest to any surrounding. Each panel measures 4’ x 8’ feet so it is easy to quickly cover 32 square feet of space. To install, simply apply construction adhesive to the back of each panel and press firmly against the surface you wish you cover.
Fasade wall panels are available in a number of designs ranging from classically traditional to contemporary or even industrial. Finishes run the gamut from clean, elegant whites that stand on their own. Or, they can be painted anything from muted, matte finishes to metallics that coordinate beautifully with appliances or other fixtures. It’s easy to cut Fasade wall panels to accommodate outlet covers, switch plates and other architectural features. Just use a scissors or snips. Matching trims are available to put the finishing touch on each project.
If you’re looking for an alternative to a costly custom wall mural, consider Fasade wall panels for your next project. For ideas on how to use them in your home, check out our photo galleries.
What do you think about customizing your space with a wall mural or wall panel? Let me know in the comments!
