3 Home Improvements to Make After a Record-Breaking Summer

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If your town experienced record-breaking temperatures this summer, you might have enjoyed having an excuse to break out the water balloons, visit your local swimming spot, or indulge in some frozen treats! Even if you know how to make the most of the dog days of summer, your home may need a little help withstanding the heat.

Check out these three weatherproofing home improvement projects to get a head start on next summer’s heat waves.


Step Up Your Siding

If you’ve spent time in Arizona, New Mexico, or any other desert climate, you might have noticed stunning Pueblo-style architecture. This Spanish-influenced style often uses mortar or cement siding to protect a home's exterior from the hot desert sun.

If you’re in the Midwest, however, your home probably wasn’t built to handle extreme desert heat, yet we still see super high temperatures in the summer nowadays. Over time, excessive heat and sun exposure can take a toll on the exterior of your home, causing paint to fade, chip, or peel. Fortunately, you can protect your home from your next sunny summer with a solution that boosts curb appeal and may add durability: a stone veneer panel accent.

Stone Veneer Panel

Improve Your Insulation

Homes are like people: What's on the inside matters most. This is especially true when it comes to keeping your home cool during heat waves. Even with powerful air conditioning and fans, true climate control starts inside your walls.

Make sure your house is well-insulated to keep it cool in the summer and cozy in the winter. If your thermostat kept climbing no matter how high you cranked the AC this summer, save yourself and your energy bill the hassle next year by adding a layer of batt insulation to key areas of your home. This project may take a little elbow grease and invasive drywall work, but you’ll thank yourself in the long run for keeping your home well-insulated.


Stay Shaded in Style

Adding a little shade is a simple yet effective way to keep your home cool and your outside areas pleasant during heat waves. Plus, most shade-focused home improvements can add a pop of style to the inside or outside of your home.

Here are a few simple ways to protect your home with shade:

● Blackout Curtains: If you have large east- or west-facing windows, consider installing curtains to block out the sun during intense times of day and keep your house cool and comfortable.
● Outdoor Shade Sail: A large outdoor shade sail is a great way to add shade to your patio or garden. Plus, the added shade can help protect your exterior walls from intense sun exposure.
● Landscaping: This option requires patience but has a great payoff. Planting large, shady trees or shrubbery is a great way to boost backyard privacy and block excessive sun rays.

Even if you love soaking up the summer sun, it’s important to protect your home from the heat. While warm weather is still fresh in your mind, get a head start on next summer's heat waves with these three end-of-summer home improvement projects.

About Menards®

 Since 1958, homeowners have trusted Menards® to help them Save Big Money® and finish big projects. Menards® has you covered with reliable tools, friendly service, and the materials you need for your next home improvement project. Whether you’re finally tackling that remodel or installing new and improved shelf brackets, their knowledgeable staff and useful resources can help. Swing by the Design-It Center to map out your plans, or ask about how their handy Budget Calculator can help you find the best deals and most competitive prices. Surfing the web instead of shopping in-store? No problem! You’ll find helpful resources and project planning tools on the Menards® website to help you with anything from sealing out moisture with Flex Paste to sealing in heat with batt insulation.

 Wrap up your summer projects with tools and supplies available at https://www.menards.com/

Location: 5101 Menard Dr, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA

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