Economic uncertainty has made selling a home in today’s market a shaky proposition. For those who were planning to sell but have decided to put it off for a few years, here are our picks for the best projects to make your current home feel new!

You Want to Sell Because You Don’t Have Enough Room
This is one of the most common reasons to sell a property. Families grow, belongings accumulate, but your living space stays exactly the same. If the market’s got you thinking that now is NOT the time to sell, a basement or attic remodel can increase your living space without the expense of a traditional addition.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value Report, family room, master suite, and second story additions average $78,989, $98,863, and $139,297 respectively. Compare those figures to basement remodels ($59,435, which includes a bathroom) and attic bedroom remodels ($46,691, also includes a bathroom), and it’s easy to see what a bargain remodeling existing space really is!

You Want to Sell Because You Have Too Much Room
On the other end of the spectrum, some homeowners whose kids have grown up and moved out might not need all the space they have. Instead of moving, creating a separate living space to rent out can bring in some extra income while simultaneously reducing your living space to something more manageable.

A project like this often involves putting up some new walls (ServiceMagic puts the national average for drywall installation at $2,150). In some cases, adding a new bathroom ($37,202 according to Remodeling Magazine) may also be beneficial.

You Want to Upgrade
Sometimes it’s not the size of the house but its quality that makes homeowners decide to sell. Moving might eliminate the inconvenience that comes with remodeling, but remodeling is certainly the most direct approach to a more appealing environment (not to mention that, in many cases, the new house has some headaches of its own). Instead of moving to a posher place, upgrading your current house might be a better option.

Outside, consider re-siding with fiber-cement (Remodeling’s estimate: $13,212) to boost appearance, increase your property value, and give you an exterior that will last for 50 years. For the inside, install hardwood flooring (ServiceMagic’s average: $5,106) or install a brick or stone fireplace (SM’s average: $2,937).

You Want to Live in a Different Neighborhood
For some, the decision to sell a house stems from a desire to live in a better neighborhood. While remodeling can’t change the location of a house, many neighborhoods have been improved simply because the properties there have been remodeled. Of course, you can’t force your neighbors to remodel along with you, but everyone knows that keeping up with the Jones’s can be a big motivator. In many major cities across the country (including, but certainly not limited to Austin, TX’s east side, Philadelphia, PA’s south side, many parts of Manhattan, and numerous areas of LA) collective remodeling has taken neighborhoods that might not have been appealing to new families and turned them into places people are proud to call home!

Unless your funds are next to unlimited (and really, whose are?), beginning a home improvement project is a pretty daunting prospect. Though getting the kitchen, bathroom, or addition you’ve always wanted is great, finding a way to get the results you want while staying within your budget can be a headache-riddled task. While many homeowners have had their dream project compromised enough that they barely recognize what they end up with, others have used these tools to get what they imagine at a price they can afford.

The DIY Route
For many home improvement jobs, labor accounts for a huge portion of the total cost. If you have the experience to do some part of the work yourself (or the patience to learn how), you may be able to save a significant amount of money on your remodel. Be careful, however! More than one eager homeowner that’s gone the do-it-yourself route has found him or herself in a situation that ends up costing more than it would have been to hire a contractor. If you don’t have the experience to do the job right, or the time and ambition to learn as you go, the DIY route is probably not for you.

Making Planned Sacrifices
Most homeowners embarking on a major remodel will have to make some sacrifices of one sort or another; the trick is to know beforehand what you can and can’t do. After you have a clear idea of what your remodel would look like in an ideal world, make a list of your “must-haves” and “could-do-withouts.” Once you choose a contractor to do the work, you can then discuss which of the “extras” you can afford without going over budget.

Reduce Cost By Avoiding Costly Procedures
Though it sounds obvious, some homeowners end up compromising more than they need to because they pick the wrong parts of the job to go forward with. Moving the location of certain components (load-bearing walls, plumbing, windows, etc.) can get very costly really quickly. On the other hand, keeping everything in the same area but changing fixtures, surfaces, or lighting can often be done relatively inexpensively. Getting a new look for a room doesn’t necessarily mean turning it upside-down; making smart decisions during the planning stages can get you more of what you want without the unreasonable expense.

Invest in the Future
If this is the last house you ever plan to live in, it won’t really matter how personalized it is. However, if you are improving a property that is likely to be sold in the future, it is a good idea to pick projects that will increase your home’s property value and marketability. Doing a little research on the things that home buyers want is never a bad idea in this situation. The most profitable projects vary depending on where you live and the type of neighborhood you occupy. If you pick the right remodels, they might even pay for themselves when it comes time to sell.

Get Plenty of Quotes
This is probably the easiest way for homeowners to get what they want without breaking the bank. Talking to contractors doesn’t cost you anything, but picking an overpriced one can run you thousands. Make sure to get quotes from several companies before you settle on one, and make sure that you have a clear plan to discuss with them so those quotes are accurate as possible. Remember, though, that the lowest bid isn’t always the best option; as many homeowners who’ve been through the process will tell you, hiring a contractor who you communicate with well and have confidence in is often worth a little extra!

Photo taken by www.robotmonkeylab.com

Working on your own house can be a wonderful experience, and die-hard do-it-yourselfers of all shapes and sizes have been known to tackle projects of every possible magnitude (sometimes leading to great results). On the other hand, there are plenty of homeowners out there who would sooner tame their own tiger or make their own penicillin than fix, alter, or in any way attend to their own plumbing. Even if you can get hold of a guide that tells you exactly what to do in terms that are easy to understand (good luck with that, by the way), after a busy work week, it can be a little difficult to get jazzed about snaking your toilet. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to avoid some serious plumbing problems that take very little effort and donýt require you to know the difference between an O-ring and a C-clamp!

Avoiding Clogs

• Clogs happen when one large thing or multiple small things get caught in a pipe. Though some clogs are caused by issues that you have little control over, most of them are caused by putting something in a drain that simply doesnýt belong there. By preventing clogs, you are eliminating a huge percent of the total number of plumbing issues your home will have. To avoid clogs:
• Never flush anything down a toilet other than bodily waste and toilet paper (even if said item claims to be flushable). Donýt forget to make sure that children are well aware of what can and cannot be flushed, too!
• The garbage disposal in your sink is far from a garbage can; never put anything fibrous, greasy, or non-biodegradable down your garbage disposal and always keep the water on while it is in use as well as for 15 seconds before and after it is operated.
• Make sure that shower drains are fitted with some sort of grate to catch hair.
• Use a product to prevent root growth in your pipes twice a year (especially if you have had roots in your pipes before).

Dealing with Leaks, Burst Pipes, Strange Noises, Water Pressure, and Hot Water Issues
Clogs are certainly a common problem, but they are far from the only thing that can go wrong with your plumbing. Fixing a leaky pipe, identifying a strange noise in your system, or enhancing your water pressure are jobs that some handy homeowners are more than willing to take on. Lucky for the rest of us, thereýs a simple solution to nearly every plumbing problem that can ever arise: call a plumber!

Find a Plumber You Like
Though this might take a little time, when problems occur youýll be glad you put in the effort. Having a good plumber is very much like having a mechanic you can trust. Sure, it might take a few tries before you find one you communicate well with, but once youýve got one, he or she is worth holding onto. Donýt be shy about contacting several different plumbers, and donýt stop till you find one that you like. Having a plumber you trust takes the guess work out of any problem that can occur in your system; when you already know who to call, every problem has an efficient solution!

The news that Mount Redoubt, after two months of warnings from the Alaska Volcano Observatory and U.S. Geological Survey, erupted on March 22 solicits only academic interest for anyone not living in the 49th state or planning to fly across the northern-most skies in the upcoming weeks and months. Yet, the warning mechanisms and the lessons of preparation closely parallel eruptions, collapse, and calamity of your home’s roofing system. Here are the warning signs and types of roofing damage that threaten to compromise the all-important peak of your home.

External and Internal Signs of Roofing Damage
While the top blowing off your home is an easy metaphor to make, a more informative analogy applies to the external and internal signs of eruption or collapse. Take a look at these common warning signs to identify the more obvious symptoms of an impending roofing disaster.

Ceiling Spots, Mold: Ceiling spots or the smell of mold indicates condensation and moisture have saturated your roofing system, a clear signal that bigger problems are on the way.

Curling and Buckling: Actual physical changes to your roof’s exterior virtually guarantee professional roofing services are needed. Curling and buckling makes roofing systems especially susceptible to high winds.

Missing Shingles, Damage to Flashings: Missing shingles or damaged flashings can be caused by systematic problems, such as poor ventilation, or isolated events like hail or fallen tree branches. Failure to address these signs will lead to a costly roof leak and eventually total roofing failure.

Algae and Granule Loss: The presence of algae must be promptly remedied to prevent granule loss and further damage. The loss of granules—the shingle’s protective mineral covering—is also associated with algae, hail, and other external forces. Check gutters, downspouts, and the ground for shed granules to determine if your roof is at risk.

A Home can Erupt without Warning Signs
Homeowners should have their roofs professionally inspected each year. (The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends you have your roof inspected twice a year.) According to research studies conducted by roofing manufacturers, as well as anecdotal evidence from qualified roofing contractors across the country, up to 90 percent of residential roofs aren’t installed properly, causing problems to arise that aren’t covered by manufacturer warranties. In some circumstances, evidence of the improper installation may be detected only after years of wear-and-tear have exposed installation techniques used in sub-surface spaces. Identifying these types of problems before damage occurs can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs.

Uncertain Timelines, Uncertain Consequences
Signs of roof damage can present themselves many seasons before major roofing failure occurs and a new roof is needed. Plenty of warning signs were present in the weeks leading up to Mount St. Helens, but the eruption dwarfed the experts’ worst-case scenarios. Similarly, homeowners who see a wet spot on their ceiling, a few missing shingles, or the presence of attic mold and fail to act are risking more than an expensive roof repair. Here are three disaster scenarios associated with roofing failure:

1. Hurricane Blows Roof off Home. Damaged or worn roofing is much less likely to withstand the force of a hurricane, even roofs that were originally designed to endure extreme winds. When a roof is blown off a home during a hurricane the collapsing pressure usually results in total property loss.

2. Roof Vents and Wildfires Burn Down Home. Roof ventilation is critical to maintaining a roof’s life expectancy and energy-efficiency, but poorly designed or installed roof vents can leave your home vulnerable to wind-blown embers.

3. Mold and Pests Present Health Hazard. Damaged roofs lead to moisture, which in turn allows mold to grow and, possibly, cause headaches, fatigue, respiratory distress, or worse. Fecal matter and waste left by any number of pests can also introduce dangerous biohazardous materials into the home.

Other Areas of Your Home that Might Erupt
While roofing makes for a natural metaphor for volcanic eruptions, any number of home areas can mirror this natural disaster. Chinese-made drywall, for example, has been found to contain and eventually emit sulfur-based gas that can corrode electrical wiring, air conditioning coils, plumbing fixtures, and other metal items. Coincidentally, sulfur dioxide is one of the main gases expelled during volcanic explosions and is one of the main toxins associated with acid rain. Creosote is the resin that builds up and lines the walls of your chimney. Without periodic cleaning, this by-product can ignite and cause a flue fire that erupts from the top of your chimney with sparks and chunks of flaming creosote.

Sometimes it just takes a new perspective to see what has always been in front of you. So we sent our crack photojournalism team into the home of Burt & Mabel, who are just average suburban citizens going through a kitchen remodel. And by average, we mean they are less than seven years old.

That’s right. They’re seven. For a while there, apparently anyone could get a home loan. Nevertheless, our documentary team followed Burt & Mabel around for a few weeks during their home remodeling process just to see what other homeowners (adults) might be able to learn from these upstarts.

Their findings are shocking.
Their conclusions are heart-wrenching.
And the Internet Fairy is about the cutest thing we’re ever come across.

So if there are children in the room, keep them in the room. As this 5-part video series is rated G.

Burt & Mabel’s Story: Episode 1

Prevention is always the best medicine, whether you’re talking an annual physical with your primary physician, a 30,000 mile checkup with the neighborhood grease monkey, or a DIY energy audit for your home. If you’re wondering how you can find ways to save money and go green when it comes to your home, here’s an easy 10 point DIY energy audit to help you identify areas where you can turn your home a brighter shade of green.

#1—Inspect Your Lighting
The lights in your home can account for as much as 10% of your home’s annual energy use. If you’re still using incandescent light bulbs, it’s time to switch them out. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use a third of the electricity as incandescents and last 10 times longer!

#2—Evaluate Your Appliances
A new, Energy Star rated dishwasher is 41% more efficient than a non-Energy Star rated model, an Energy Star rated clothes washer will save you $550 in energy costs over the course of its lifetime, and new Energy Star rated refrigerators are 40% more efficient than models sold in 2001. Add to that the fact that high efficiency furnaces and air conditioners can reduce energy bills by as much as 50% when they replace older units, and it’s easy to see why appliances are one of the first places to look if you’re interested in going green and saving money.

#3—Check Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are two of the worst offenders when it comes to reducing home energy efficiency. Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows to help eliminate unwanted air flow, and think about installing high efficiency models if your current windows and doors are starting to show their age.

#4—Light Some Incense
Curious where hot air might be escaping or entering your home? Fortunately, there’s an easy, DIY way to find out. Close up your home, turn on the ventilation fans on your oven hood and in your bathroom, and then light a stick of incense. By passing the smoke in front of windows, doors, light switches, outlets, and other common sources of air leaks, you can easily identify areas that need to be sealed up.

#5—Check the Attic
Take a minute or two of your time and poke your head into the attic. Ideally, you should have a foot to a foot and a half of insulation lining your attic floor. If you don’t, you’ve just discovered a major source of energy inefficiency in your home. Upgrade the insulation throughout your attic, and don’t forget to insulate the hatch, a major source of heat and cooling loss that is overlooked by many homeowners.

#6—Tour Your Electrical Outlets
Plugged in, unused electrical devices can account for as much as 8% of your home’s annual energy bill! In order to eliminate these “phantom loads,” walk through your home, and unplug any electrical devices (including cell phone chargers, hair dryers, and larger appliances, for example) that aren’t being used on a regular basis.

#7—Check Furnace Filters and Compressor Coils
Dirty furnace filters and air conditioner compressor coils can seriously compromise your heating and cooling system’s ability to operate at peak efficiency. Considering the fact that heating and cooling accounts for over 50% of the energy costs in most American homes, it’s easy to see why it pays to change your furnace filter on a monthly basis, and vacuum off your AC’s compressor coils on a regular schedule as well.

#8—Check Your Ductwork
Poorly sealed ductwork can reduce your home’s energy efficiency in two ways. If your ductwork is poorly sealed, you’re spending a lot of money to heat and cool your attic and crawlspace, instead of your living area! And if your ductwork runs through unconditioned areas, such as an old attic or unfinished basement, you should consider insulating it in order to reduce unnecessary heat loss and gain as much as possible.

#9—Is Your Insulation Up to Par?
Professionally administered infrared thermographic scans are the best way to see how the insulation in your home is holding up, but there are some DIY tricks you can perform to help gauge the current status of your home’s insulation. Cutting a small hole in the drywall in an inconspicuous spot, for example, should give you a good idea of the level of insulation you’re currently working with. Or you can just take five and sit on the couch for a few minutes. If you can hear your neighbors chatting it up even with all the windows and doors closed, there’s little doubt that your insulation needs an upgrade.

#10—Review Your Utility Bills (Before & After!)
The proof is in the pudding. Before you perform your home energy audit, pull your old energy bills out of the filing cabinet and look them over carefully. Dramatic spikes in energy usage in summer and winter may indicate that your home’s insulation isn’t up to par, and that your furnace and air conditioning units are having to work overtime during these times to compensate. Furthermore, by comparing pre-energy audit energy use to your bills after you’ve made some green home improvements, you’ll be able to see exactly how much your DIY home energy audit is saving you, and if there is more that needs to be done.

This time of year, homeowners begin looking at their heating systems and their heating bills and wonder if there isn’t some way to save on their home heating costs. Indeed, for homes that haven’t seen any upgrades in recent years, there’s a good chance you could be throwing away money each month on a system that is draining your expendable income and our country’s energy supply.

“In Boston, it’s about a 50-50 split for homes with forced hot air or a boiler,” according to the perception of Joe Ciampa from Absolute Home Comfort. This highly-skilled HVAC contractor sees homes everyday that could benefit from a heating system upgrade. Of course, older homes and severe winters aren’t exclusive to the New England area, and much of the wisdom Ciampa gives to client’s everyday applies to homeowners across the country.

Hybrids aren’t Just for Cars
If someone with a forced hot air heating system or boiler asks Ciampa what high-performance, energy-efficient system he recommends, generally the first thing he mentions is a hybrid heating system. Much like hybrid cars that reclaim energy when you brake, hybrid heating systems use their component systems to maximize energy-efficiency. Instead of ion-lithium batteries and a small gas engine, hybrid heating systems use heat pumps and a conventional furnace or boiler. Heat pumps work by exchanging colder and warmer air particles from inside your home and the outside air. These pumps can work wonders in moderate temperatures but quickly lose their effectiveness as temperatures plummet lower and lower.

The heat pump that Ciampa recommends for homeowners loses its manufacturer tested energy efficiency rating at temperatures below 47 degrees. At this point, the conventional gas furnace or boiler, which in itself will run with a 90+ percent efficiency rating, will kick in. Better yet, Ciampa says, “these hybrid heating systems have an outside temperature sensor that you never have to touch.” This means, if the temperature drops below 40 degrees overnight, your conventional furnace or boiler will keep your home comfortable without a hitch, and by mid-morning, when reasonable temperatures return, your heat pump will again go to work, creating considerable energy savings. In this, the Information Age, the greatest technology is created not from gadgets and gimmicks, but the efficiency created from knowledge and automation.

Conversions aren’t Just for the Metric System
Although oil futures have recently seen a precipitous drop, the projected cost of oil over the next 5, 10, and 20 years remains high compared to cost of the previous decade. This leads many homeowners to conclude converting their heating system from oil to gas is a wise investment. In many cases, there is a strong case to be made for this claim. That said, more than just reducing our dependence on foreign oil, the “green” virtues of converting from oil to natural gas have a lot to do with local availability. Much of the country’s natural gas reserves are located in the south and central U.S. According to the Natural Gas Supply Association, Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado have much of the natural gas reserves.

Ciampa notes that there are a lot of code changes that relate to oil-to-gas conversions. Some, such as more stringent requirements for chimney linings, are geared toward ensuring basic safety. On the other hand, more and more natural gas companies are offering rebates for conversions. In the end, the setup of your current heating systems, including pipes, any necessary safety retrofitting, can wildly affect the cost of the conversion. Absolute Home Comfort is advertising basic conversions that start at a very reasonable $3,000.00, although additional work may be required.

Another common heating system conversion—especially in areas with older homes and older heating systems—is from steam heat to forced hot water systems. Forced hot water systems require less maintenance, less frequent repairs, and offer greater control?.If you’ve ever had a bedroom on the top story of a home or apartment with steam heat, you know the value of converting to a system more controllable heat distribution.

Combo Meals aren’t just for Fast Food
Another great way for homeowners to increase the energy-efficiency of their heating system is to increase the efficiency of the distribution system. Forced air heating systems use convection to distribute heat throughout your home, while radiant floors use pipes and hot water to transfer heat through conduction and radiation. Ciampa explains that “these pipes are laid in track lines—grooves cut into the plywood subflooring—to pump hot water through your home.” This is a relatively simple process in new construction, but can be complicated at best to retrofit older homes.

In fact, often, radiant flooring is best installed when it’s time to replace older flooring. Being able to refresh the look of your home, while increasing the efficiency and comfort level of your home’s heating system, is a can’t-miss home improvement that too many homeowners overlook and one that commonly helps sell your home when the time comes. During these times when it’s hard to justify home remodels for purely aesthetic reasons, this combination project is no doubt a diamond in the rough.

Land of the free, you say? Well, not if you want to wrestle a bear in Alabama or your kid wants to build a snowman bigger than him or herself on school property in Alaska! We’ve searched the data at dumblaws.com and found that even on your own property there are a surprising number of things you aren’t allowed to do (technically, that is).

Thinking of Remodeling Your Bathroom?
Homeowners in Kansas City, Missouri beware, as the installation of a four-legged bathtub with toes that resemble those of an animal is prohibited. In California, it is illegal to eat an orange while in the bathtub, no matter what its design!

Landscaping Quandaries
In a shocking step to a more Americana America, Seaside, Florida has a law on the books requiring that all houses must have white picket fences and full-width, two-story porches (in Columbus, Georgia it would be illegal to sit on those porches in an indecent position).

Lawn work can be a drag, but if you live in Pueblo, Colorado, keep up with your weeding as it is illegal to let a dandelion grow within city limits.

Homeowners in California should make sure that their drainage is adequate (or keep a congenial demeanor after each rain storm) because it’s illegal to prevent children from playfully jumping over puddles of water.

The holidays are on their way, but be careful if you live in Maine where a person can be fined for having Christmas decorations up after January 14th.

Behind Closed Doors
Though there are all sorts of laws pertaining to behavior in public, these laws prove that big brother is watching in ways you might not expect.

Don’t expect your dog to sit, roll over, or play dead in Hartford, Connecticut where it’s illegal to educate a canine.

Are your windows secure? In Massachusetts they better be, as snoring is illegal unless all bedroom windows are shut and securely locked.

If you’re planning on installing a basement bar in Mount Laurel, New Jersey go easy on the libations, as it is illegal to get drunk and annoy others in your house.

Knowing the difference between a Monet and a Manet is important in Wyoming, where all new buildings that cost over $100,000 to build must have 1% of funds spent on art work for the building.

Metals and the Dynamics of Compensation
Anybody with even a basic grasp of metal properties knows that steel will rust and that aluminum isn’t as strong as steel. Most people also know there are common ways around these problems. An aluminum roof can be made just as strong as some forms of steel by making the aluminum thicker. A steel roof can be made largely invulnerable from all types of corrosion by installing a stainless steel alloy (steel and chromium) or by galvanizing the steel (coating the steel with zinc or aluminum and zinc). Thus, the initial strengths and weaknesses of the raw metal may bear little resemblance to the performance of the finished product.

In terms of high-quality metal roofing, the steel v. aluminum debate is one that often fails to yield a clear answer. Indeed, without knowing the specific location of your home, the pitch of the roof, the desired life expectancy, and the budget for your new roofing installation, it would be irresponsible to make a blanket recommendation. There is no substitute, no online forum that can replace the value of finding a reliable, local roofing contractor. Whichever way you decide to go, make sure your metal roof is designed to compensate for its inherent flaws. Choosing an aluminum that won’t rust but will show signs of denting after the first hailstorm or choosing steel that won’t dent but shows signs of rust after the first rainy season is a poor investment any way you look at it.

• Cost vs. Value Tip: Like a Lexus, metal roofing is coveted by many homeowners aware of its performance and durability. You should see a good rate of return on this investment when it comes time to sell your home.

The Quintessential, Fully-Loaded Metal Roofing Project
Metal roofing is one of the highest performing materials in the entire roofing industry. Pulling out all the stops for a new metal roof can lead to repercussions for the entire layout of your home. How’s this? Metal’s strength and lightweight means you can simultaneously reduce the pitch of your roof, while eliminating bulky support structures in your sub-roofing attic space. This can dramatically increase the amount of headroom and usable space in your attic, allowing for an attic conversion.

Needless to say, a project of this kind isn’t cheap, but if your alternative is to build a home addition or add a second story to your home, this move might just save you tens of thousands of dollars, while delivering the last roof your home may ever need. Rather than seeking out a roofing contractor, advice for a renovation of this caliber is probably best solicited from a general contractor, albeit one with some experience in metal roofing.

Country Roads and City Streets: Understand Your Roofing Environs
With all the various decisions, upgrades, and styles to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. While national metal roofing manufacturers may gear their marketing toward a national audience or a region that doesn’t apply to you, it’s important to understand local climatic conditions. Just as a family with 3 or 4 children is likely to value the Lexus LX Luxury Utility Vehicle and a young, urban professional with the resources to burn is more likely to go after the Lexus SC Coupe, your home and its environs is likely to determine the right choices for your metal roof.

The West Coast/East Coast Bias for Aluminum: I’m not talking about politics or college football conferences—any coastal region tends to have a high concentration of aluminum roofing. Any home within walking distance of the ocean is likely to experience a good amount of salt spray, for which aluminum is commonly considered the best roofing material, metal or otherwise. Keep in mind, though, that many homes along the coast are also susceptible to severe weather, so look for a thicker, more durable line of aluminum roofing.

The American Heartland: Less known for its metal roofing installation, the fierce wind and comprehensive weathering elements—most of the American interior experiences four distinct seasons—make high quality roofing, like metal, a great asset for your home. People in tornado alley, especially, will benefit from a roof that isn’t going to be spooked at the first sign of wind and flying debris. To this end, steel is probably best. Just make sure you have a fastening system that will accommodate the movement associated with temperature swings and thermal expansion and contraction.

Tacos and Hockey: This leaves the upper and lower extremes of the American Southwest and the far northern states, such as Michigan, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Culturally, they may be identified by tacos and hockey, but their roofing demands are defined by heat and sun in the southern latitudes and cold and snow in the northern ones. The great advantage metal roofing holds over every other roofing material is the energy-efficient benefits of reflective coatings. Many roofing materials are great insulators, but metal’s unique ability to reflect the vast majority of the sunlight away from the home makes it the premiere roofing material of the American Southwest. As for you hockey fans, the strength of metal roofing is where the emphasis lies. Load-bearing roofs must deal with an incredible amount of weight and, again, no roofing material handles this problem better than metal.

1. Increase Your Insulation
snow remin the most severe cases, poor insulation can be costing you money not just in fuel or electricity, but in repairs! Those in colder climates should pay particular attention to the insulation on their pipes to prevent freezing (and possible rupture). According to ServiceMagic.com, an online resource matching homeowners to contractors, the average cost of adding insulation to your walls and attic nationwide is about $1,590 for blown-in insulation and around $1,884 for other types of insulation.

In colder climates, the savings can pay for the upgrade rather quickly. For example, if you double the R-value of your insulation over 1000 square feet of a home in central West Virginia , a home with electric heat (at $0.12 per Kilowatt Hour) may see a reduction of about $211 the first year. If that same home were in Vermont , the first year savings would be closer to $295. These estimates (generated by the Insulation Upgrade Savings Calculator at builditsolar.com) only take into account savings during the winter; you may see additional savings in the summer if you have central A/C!

2. Inspect Your Roof
Your roof plays an important role all year round, but during the winter roofs in colder climates can be subjected to some pretty harsh mistreatment. Snow and ice can add a lot of weight to your roof, and if it isn’t able to support that weight, breaches, leaks, or even collapse can occur.

By getting a roof inspection, you are taking a step to reduce problems in the winter, but you are also doing your home a favor for the rest of the year by identifying small problems before they become large ones. ServiceMagic puts the average cost of a roof inspection at just under $300 nationwide; if that couple hundred dollars leads to finding a small leak before it has the chance to do any damage, you could be avoiding a $500 to $1,500 roof repair, a $2,000 drywall replacement, or a $2,500 mold removal (or put a few more years between you and your next multiple thousand dollar roof replacement)!

3. Supplement Heating
Our heating systems generally do a pretty good job, but anyone who’s gotten hit this year with incredibly cold weather or a long term power outage knows that a little extra heat doesn’t hurt! While the classic fireplace can be as charming as it is warm, their efficiency can leave much to be desired (but, hey, $3,000 for a brick fireplace installation or $1,350 for a pre-fab might just be worth it anyway)! For anyone looking for a heavy-duty second heat source, a wood or pellet stove might be just what the doctor ordered. With an average installation cost of under $2,500 (stove not included!), the expense might seem a bit much, but when you consider that some of today’s pellet, biomass, and wood stoves are capable of heating an entire house, this investment might be worth looking into. It should be noted that some newer stoves require electricity to operate; if you live in an area where power outages are a way of life, make sure you get a stove that will do the job without the help of the utility company!

4. Install a Generator
The recent rash of killer winter weather that has gripped much of the eastern US is only the latest installment in what has turned out to be a winter that will go down in history. Massive power outages and snow heavy enough to inhibit travel for days at a time have been the norm for many of us this year, but just because the lights go out doesn’t mean you have to be powerless!

Small, portable generators that can be used to power a few household staples are relatively inexpensive and can work in a pinch, but are not nearly powerful enough to provide electricity to an entire house. Stationary emergency generators that can give you all the comforts of home during a power outage are a bit more pricey. Remodeling Magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value Report puts the total price of outfitting your property with a hefty standby generator at over $14,000; ServiceMagic (who processed over 2,500 requests for generator installation in 2008) puts the national average cost of installing a generator at under $1,500 plus the cost of the unit (which can vary dramatically).

5. Call for Snow Removal
Snow can be beautiful, but few would say that shoveling their driveway in sub-freezing temperatures is a job they look forward to. If your driveway is a formidable one, perhaps the coziest addition you can make to your home for this winter and the ones to come is to hire a snow removal service. Imagine, waking up after a nighttime snowfall and being able to relax, eat your breakfast, and enjoy your morning coffee and simply hopping from your house to your car without lifting a shovel (or straining your lower back). Snow removal services often charge by the storm, and may have a higher rate if they must return twice during the same storm. Of course, the bottom line price will vary depending on the size of your driveway, but no matter what deal you strike, put it in writing (which shouldn’t be a problem for a professional snow removal service)!