Menards®

Our home is our safe space. It’s where we relax, make memories, and feel the most secure. But we all could use a little more peace of mind, and being a homeowner isn’t without its stresses. From general maintenance tasks to physical security, the following projects can help you feel more secure, safe, and generally enjoy more peace of mind in your home. Here’s what you should know about installing new front door locks, tackling small maintenance tasks, and other projects that provide peace of mind. Beef Up Your Home’s Security You can’t put a price tag on a secure home, and knowing your locks are in good shape and your entryways are monitored 24/7 can provide endless amounts of peace of mind. These days, you don’t need to go all out and hire a professional company to install a security system either (unless you want to). You can find kits that feature all the sensors you need for doors and windows, along with a base station that acts as the main hub and connects with yo...

The year has flown by, and summer is right around the corner! Soon, those frosty mornings will be well behind us, and we’ll all be outside enjoying our beautifully manicured lawns, kicking back and soaking in the sunny weather. Before then, there are a few maintenance and home improvement projects to tackle. From organizing your tools with a cabinet garage storage system to inspecting your gutters, here are a few things to consider. Get Your Summer Lawn Tools Organized If you’re like most homeowners, the garage can get a little chaotic during the transitional seasons. One day, you’re trimming the bushes around the house; the next, you’re shoveling some unexpected, late-season snow. Now that the cold weather is safely in the rearview, you can store away your winter tools and get the summer equipment out and organized. With your trimmers, lawnmower, pruners, pots, soil, and other summer essentials organized and in plain view, it’ll be easier to tackle your summer project...

If you are expecting, there are a number of home improvement projects to get done around the house before you welcome your bundle of joy. From getting proper tool storage to keep potentially dangerous tools safely tucked away to replacing worn-out deck boards, these projects can help you prepare for your new baby, ensuring your home is as safe and welcoming as possible. Paint a Neutral Room You might want bright colors for a nursery room when your baby is first born, welcoming them with a fun room. However, painting more neutral colors can create a more relaxing, welcoming space, perfect for keeping them calm and helping them sleep. As they get older, you can switch to brighter, more fun colors, but for now, stick with neutral colors, such as grays and earth tones. It doesn’t have to be boring, just not too bright. Replace the Wooden Deck If you have a deck, your baby will be crawling on it eventually, so make sure that it’s safe. Along with gates, consider the condit...

Spring is the perfect time to organize your garage, upgrade your tools and tool storage , and make it easier for you to complete DIY projects around your home. From pouring an epoxy floor to installing a wall-spanning cabinet system to ensure all of your tools are stored safely, don’t forget about these garage and tool upgrades while you’re spring-cleaning the rest of your home. Upgrade Worn-Out Tools Tools are essential for any DIY project, and we use some tools more than others. If your favorite tools are losing a step, showing signs of corrosion, or you just know they could be better, it might be time to head to your local home improvement store. You might want a better saw, a hammer with a more ergonomic design, or a new socket set. The key here is to get rid of tools that aren’t working well or have stopped working, cleaning out what you don’t need in favor of tools you do need. With better tools, all of your spring and summer DIY projects will go much smoother. In...

It’s time for spring cleaning, and along with organizing your closets and decluttering the garage, there are a few maintenance tasks to check off your list. Some are just quick checks, while others are essential for keeping your home running smoothly. From inspecting and maintaining electric hot water heaters to replacing fence posts, here are a few things to check around your home this spring. Check Deck Boards for Rot Depending on whether you used deck boards composite vs. fully natural wood, you should check for any rot, insect damage, or cracks that happened over the winter. Composite boards won’t have these problems, as they are a mix of resin and wood and don’t have the drawbacks of wooden boards. If your natural wood deck boards do have damage, you might want to replace them with composite boards. Regardless, spring is an excellent time to check your deck and see how it’s holding up. Be sure to check the top of the deck, underneath, and any handrails for damage. In...

Are you looking for home improvement upgrades to improve your home’s functionality and aesthetics? These upgrades don’t have to be months-long projects like renovating a bathroom. They could be installing ceiling tiles in a few rooms or making your home smart with Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smart front door locks . The right projects can change the feel of your home and make everyday tasks easier. Install New Ceiling Tiles While not a small project, installing ceiling tiles isn’t a major renovation, either. However, it can totally change the aesthetics of any given room. The color or texture of tiles for ceilings can change the vibe of the room and add a decorative touch. You can also find corrosion-resistant ceiling tiles, perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. They’re relatively easy to install and will turn any boring room into a work of art. Implement Smart Devices Throughout Your Home Next, making your home a smart home can add several layers of convenience to yo...

Are you looking to turn your home into a smart home? With connected devices, you can control various parts of your home from anywhere you have an internet connection. From electric hot water heaters connected to Wi-Fi to an irrigation system you can control from your couch, there are plenty of smart home upgrades to consider. Here are a few to know. Smart Water Heaters With smart water heaters, you get several different capabilities. Whether you go tankless or choose a traditional water heater, you can find Wi-Fi-enabled options that allow you to customize the settings so it’s as efficient as possible. You can control your water heater remotely, tracking energy usage, adjusting the temperature, or setting heating times to help save energy. Plus, many Wi-Fi-enabled water heaters have leak alarms that will notify you immediately with auto-shutoff features to prevent costly water damage. Security Cameras If you’re looking for a way to better secure your house, consider ...

Any home restoration project is full of surprises. That said, fixing up an older home usually comes with a few more surprises than you might initially expect. If you just bought an older home or are deciding to update your existing home one project at a time, here are a few things to consider. From ensuring you have the proper tool storage to budgeting for unexpected appliance upgrades, these are the things to know about restoring an older home. Be Prepared with a Budget Restoring, renovating, or remodeling an older home will likely cost more than you think. Restoring it while updating it to keep it up to code and practical to live in could cost far more than you would initially expect. It’s important to set a realistic budget based on the work that needs to be done, and thorough inspections are key to developing this budget. Roofs can get expensive quickly, as can replacing wiring. Plan to go over your initial budget, just in case. Consider prioritizing certain rooms or ...

There are plenty of reasons to invest some time and materials into your garage. The right upgrades can make it more organized and aesthetically appealing, while also adding some utility to this underutilized space. From adding extra lighting to installing a new workstation for your hobbies to a full cabinet garage storage solution, these upgrades will completely change how you see and use your garage.  Cabinet Garage Storage Try New Flooring The first major upgrade is installing new flooring. The typical choice is an epoxy floor. Not only can you make your garage floor look cooler, but epoxy is much more durable than plain concrete. It’s impact, heat, and fire resistant and can last up to 20 years. It’s also easy to clean and resistant to chemicals and stains, making it ideal if you love working on your car but don’t don’t love oil stains on your floor. It’s also relatively simple to do this upgrade as long as you take your time with the prep work. Store Your Tools S...

Are you looking for ways to make your home more secure? Several home improvement projects will help you and your family feel safer and they are relatively quick for handy DIYers. From switching out the front door locks to getting a garage door opener with a built-in camera, these projects can seriously improve your home’s security. Let’s take a closer look.  Upgrade Your Front Door Lock The first step is the front door lock. If you didn’t do anything except rekey your lock when you moved in, it’s likely time for an upgrade. Modern locks can even come with electronic keypads, making it easy to get in the house without a key if you know the passcode. It’s still secure but easier than reaching in your purse, bag, or backpack for your keys. It also enables pet sitters, housekeepers, guests, and kids to get in easily with a temporary guest code. Another upgrade is a Wi-Fi-enabled lock, which you can lock or unlock from anywhere with an internet connection. Get a Garage D...