Depending on where you live, you'll find that summer is the best season to work on your home and make upgrades. Summer is a popular time to hire professionals to work on your home. You should take advantage of this time to make upgrades to your house since the winter is usually very harsh on it. This way, you can have it ready for the upcoming winter, fall, and spring. Here are five home upgrades that could make your home better than ever.

1. Install New Windows

When it comes to keeping your home warm or cool, your windows play a big part. If you have older windows with spaces in between the wall and window, that's going to make it much more difficult to keep cold or hot air out. Should you repair or replace any faulty windows, you'll improve insulation by a great deal but also, you'll see a return on your investment as that'll make your home much more energy efficient. Ask a professional to inspect your windows to verify whether the windows can be repaired or if they need to be replaced. A screen room enclosure can make a big difference.

There's an additional aspect to keep in mind regarding your windows. When you want to have vinyl-glazed window enclosures, you need to decide whether they are vertical or horizontal. According to our team, the vertical four-track panels can give you 75% protection for parts of your home like your deck, sunroom, or porch. On the other hand, the horizontal side sliders can have a larger range, between 50-100% ventilation. You'll need to choose between those two. Your home exterior professional can help you find the best product for your needs.

2. Build Your Deck

A deck can be a boon for a homeowner for a variety of reasons. For example, in warmer months, a deck can be an excellent hosting or dining space. All you need is a grill and some patio furniture. You also might just want to put a hammock on it so that you can lounge around during the lazy days of summer. Whatever the case, you'll want to ensure that it's sturdy and weatherproof.

When constructing your deck, you'll want to build it intentionally. If you live in a wetter region, like Georgia, you'd definitely want to include a wood stain to safeguard it from water damage. It'll also be a good idea to find power washing contractors beforehand. Over time, that maintenance will do wonders to get rid of all the dirt and other things that have accumulated. You could also add things to the deck, like furniture, lighting, screens or a screen room enclosure, or even a roof. A sunshade would be an excellent idea if you're planning on hosting a lot of guests throughout the summer and fall.

3. Create a Sunroom

If you're not a fan of lounging about outside, be it due to the bugs or the sun, a sunroom might be the perfect alternative! Sunrooms offer the benefits of outdoor space, such as natural light and fresh air, without the extreme temperatures. Glass patio enclosures aren't just all about aesthetics. They can prove to be practical spaces that add to the resale value of your home.

There are many things to do in a sunroom. For example, some homeowners choose to make their sunrooms into temperature-controlled greenhouses, growing plants there and making use of the massive amount of natural sunlight. Other homeowners choose to make it a functional space. You can add shelving, for example, and make it a storage space. Alternatively, you could lean into the idea of having your morning coffee while bathing in sunlight. Add some chairs, a table, and some decor to make it your own personal coffee shop!

4. Install Roof Gutters

This is another upgrade that you want to prioritize during the summer. Rain gutters stop an accumulation of water, be it on your roof or on your property, where it shouldn't be. Without any sort of roof gutter system, you're risking structural damage to your home, especially if you're in a part of the country where it rains a lot. Even if you already have gutters, harsh winters could take a toll on the system, so it's a good idea to have it inspected every so often, especially if you're noticing leaks in your home.

Take advantage of the milder weather to install these. The winter, of course, is less convenient due to cold temperatures. This is definitely a job you'd want to veer on the side of caution for. To avoid mistakes and safety issues, you're better off having a professional do it. They will be licensed and insured, so if they are hurt on the job, they will be covered. This upgrade should definitely be considered a priority. Otherwise, you could wind up paying down the road.

5. Make Your Home Energy-Efficient

There are a ton of smaller upgrades and projects that you could choose to make your home more sustainable and energy efficient. These sorts of upgrades give you a more immediate return on investment. You don't even need to make all of these upgrades at once. By making one great change every year, you'll see your energy bills lower annually.

Vinyl siding, for example, creates structural integrity but also, increases R-value, meaning that it is more energy efficient. By having a hand in the vinyl siding of your own home, you can really tailor every aspect of it to your needs. If your house is usually hot and you're concerned about keeping your HVAC costs down, it might be a great idea to invest in white vinyl siding versus any darker colors. New siding is a huge undertaking and you'll want to make sure it's expertly installed. If there are gaps or seams between the home and its siding, that could be the cause for unseen mold growth.

Metal roofing is another way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. If you own an older home, it's something to consider anyways, as your existing roof may be due for an upgrade. Metal roofing is a more long-term option as, on average. It has double the lifespan of a shingle roof but also is known for its energy efficiency. Metal roofing actually blocks heat coming from the sun, making your air conditioning unit have to expend less energy to keep your home cool in the summer. Installing a metal roof will save you in replacement costs and in energy bills, but the roof itself is also recyclable, so that's another way your home's environmental impact is lessened.

It might be difficult to do in one summer. If that's the case, look at your home and decide what to prioritize. You could spread them out over the course of several summers. That way, you won't be spending too much money over the course of the season. Find the ones that need to be done first and then go from there. That will help ensure that your home looks good and is both safe and energy efficient for a very long time.

These are just a few improvements to prioritize this summer. Are you interested in getting a screen room enclosure or other improvement for your home? Contact Eicher's Pro Vinyl today to find out about our wide array of options to choose from.