Winter may only come around once a year, but it sure can be a challenging time for properties. It can damage the strength of your windows and doors and increase the chance of uncontrolled moisture levels – it can really take its toll if you’re not ready. That doesn’t mean you have to panic yet, though. You can tackle this in many ways by adding some winter-ready architectural structures.
If you live somewhere with harsh winters and low temperatures, you’ll want to prepare your home for the upcoming season with these 5 stylish solutions.
Aesthetically Appealing Insulating Materials
Making your home warm doesn’t mean you have to cut back on aesthetics. When people hear the word insulation, they immediately think of the pale yellow-colored fluffy material that has that raggedy look. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick to that style; if you tap into your creative side, you’ll be amazed at what you can do with it.
Some materials you can use for both insulating and decorative purposes are:
- Wood fiber panels: These can be left exposed for a natural, warm appearance while providing good insulation.
- Cork: An excellent insulator that can be used as wall paneling or flooring, offering a unique and organic aesthetic.
- Sheep’s wool: Can be used behind glass panels for an interesting textural element while insulating effectively.
- Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs): These can be finished with various attractive materials while providing excellent insulation.
Slip-Resistant Walkways
Over 13 visits per 10,000 emergency department visits are related to falls on ice or snow during winter. This means that if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, there’s a good chance you may fall if you don’t have a slip-resistant walkway.
Photo credit: Kristaps Ungurs
One could imagine that popular slip-resistant walkways lack visual appeal, but that’s not true. Consider looking at certain types of pavers; porcelain pavers are easy on the eyes and are made with skid-proof structural clay.
If you didn’t want to remove your paving, you could add some high-quality anti-slip mats. That way, you can always take them up after winter is finished and store them away until the following year.
Winterizing Park Model Homes
A lot of ideas for getting your home ready for cold weather can be inspired by (or sometimes just copied from) the techniques used for winterizing park model homes.
Park model homes are like normal houses, but you can transport them wherever you want – as long as you have a chassis. Because they’re portable, they need insulating materials that are also light. By adding insulation to the walls and roof, installing heating, and sourcing strong windows that can withstand a blizzard, park model homes can be prepared for winter. If you’re a park model house owner, insulating it will definitely change your level of comfort.
These solutions are often cost-effective and very useful, so make sure you check them out as options, even if you’re looking to winter-proof a different type of house.
Clay or Concrete Tiling
Choosing the right roofing material for your home is essential so that you don’t start getting leaks during heavy snowfall. There are a couple of options, but clay or concrete tiling is one of the safest due to its durability and natural insulation.
You need to be careful with clay or concrete tiling because they’re heavy, and some homes might not be able to handle the weight. While installing them can be expensive, their strength makes up for it; they can last up to 100 years if maintained properly.
Clay and concrete tiling can also really add some character to your home. In the modern world, where roofing has become so advanced, these types of tiling showcase timeless aesthetics with their pale orange color.
American-Style Porches With Covers
American-style porches are absolutely beautiful because of the way they wrap around the side of properties. They’re like a mix between inside and outside, and you can put them on or take them off whenever you want if your design contemplates it.
You might think that American-style porches aren’t equipped for winter, which might be true on paper, but you can equip them yourself with a few touches. For example, you can add covers on the sides when it’s cold and snowy, so you’ll be able to protect yourself. Such covers can be then removed during the warmer months. Finally, adding a stove or couches with blankets will complete your dream winter hideaway.
How Prepared Are You for This Upcoming Winter?
Many people dread the thought of winter, from the low temperatures to the constant cleaning up of wet floors after you’ve come from outside.
These things shouldn’t mean that you have to be uncomfortable for three months every year. By installing some of these solutions, your home will always be well-equipped for winter and cold weather.
