Tackle These 6 Projects Before the 4th of July Weekend

Keeping Your Home Festive

In most parts of the country, summer is the hottest and most humid time of the year. But summer also brings some of the most fun! There are so many holidays to celebrate, not the least of which is the 4th of July, which is a time many people love to show off their home by hosting parties.

If this describes you, you will want to be sure to tackle these 6 home improvement projects before the 4th of July arrives.

Project #1: Freshen up your lawn and garden

Nothing says "festive" like fresh blooming summer flowers. If you've been neglecting your lawn and garden areas, now is a great time to find your motivation and get to work.

Pay special attention to these tasks:

- Give your lawn a good mow and edge (but not too short or your grass may dehydrate).
- Weed, clean debris and re-mulch the flower beds.
- Plant new flowers to fill in any gaps left from the winter's chill.
- Give the bushes/trees a good pruning.

Project #2: Update your lighting inside and out

If you have been putting off changing out your old incandescent light bulbs for new energy efficient lighting, now is a great time to tackle this project.

Pay special attention to the lighting in visitor areas such as your front walk and your driveway. Adding solar-power lighting can boost visibility without increasing costs.

Here are the most commonly selected types of energy efficient lighting for homes today:

- CFL (compact fluorescent lighting) - These bulbs make a great replacement for any traditional fluorescent bulbs you may be using.
- LED (light emitting diode) - These bulbs are the most popular choice to replace traditional incandescent bulbs because they can save up to 70 percent on energy use and they last much longer than other bulb types.
- Halogen incandescent - These bulbs can be used with dimmers for light fixtures that offer that option.

Project #3: Check your faucets inside and out

Leaky faucets and hoses can cost you more money in the summer than at any other time of year, especially when you factor in watering your grass and maintaining a pool or water feature.

One of the easiest ways to test and see if you have a leak is to read your water meter, shut off the main water valve, wait for an hour or two, turn the water valve back on and read the meter again. If the two numbers do not match, there is a good chance you have a leak somewhere.

Project #4: Convert to hardwoods - or brighten the ones you have

Hardwoods are definitely "in" for home decor today. Not only are hardwoods easier to clean and less prone to collecting dust mites and allergens, but hardwoods are so versatile and gorgeous to boot.

If you have never rolled back the carpeting in your home, you might be surprised to discover you actually have hardwoods underneath. In this case, some freshening up may be all they need. If you want to add hardwood, you have a wonderful array of options today.

Here are some of the best options for converting carpeting to hardwoods:

- Sustainable woods like hemp or bamboo - Easy to maintain, very durable and helps the environment.
- Solid natural hardwoods - Hands-down the longest lasting and (to many) the most beautiful choice.
- Engineered hardwoods - This alternative to solid hardwoods (hard wood over a layer of plywood) can be installed over just about any surface with a minimum of effort and expense.
- Laminate - Laminate flooring is a fabulous choice for areas that get high foot traffic.
- Cork - Cork is great as a hardwood alternative that offers great sound-proofing plus a comfortable walking surface.

Project #5: Clean your deck

In many parts of the country, an outside deck can take quite a beating in the coldest and hottest months of the year. This can cause the wood to crack or sag and can cause that once new-finish to look drab and dull.

Cleaning your deck is an easy 4-step process:

- First, make any necessary repairs to ensure your deck is safe and structurally sound.
- Next, give the deck a thorough cleaning and allow it to dry fully.
- Once your deck is dry, you can re-stain it with the color of your choice.
- Add or repair the railing.

Project #6: Update your windows or window dressings

For many families, summer is a time when cooling costs skyrocket. Often the cause can be traced back not to a thermostat-lowering family member but to energy inefficient windows or window dressings.

Consider replacing any windows that bear the brunt of mid-day direct sun with energy-efficient, noise-reducing windows. For all other windows, summer is a great time to change out old or faded window dressings in favor of heat-repelling, cool-retaining blinds, shades or draperies.

Here are some helpful tips to select the right window dressings:

- Choose lighter colors for draperies and shades that naturally repel the heat.
- Add window film (mirrored is best for UV and heat repelling properties) on any windows that face to the east and west to keep the heat out during early morning and late afternoon.
- If the heat gets very intense where you live, outdoor awnings on windows that face south and west can give you some extra relief as well.
- Install energy efficient double-pane Low-E windows that naturally repel the heat and keep the cool inside.

With these six projects, you can reinvigorate your home space and find new enthusiasm to host the most festive 4th of July party yet!

If you are in the East Lansing, MI area, contact The Meridian Company by phone at (517)-339-63000.