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Fall projects are in full swing here at my house, indoors and out. Moderate temperatures make it easy to open up windows and work indoors or set up a couple of sawhorses outdoors for sanding and finishing. (You’ll certainly sweat less in your work shirts and coveralls, wherever you set up!) Plus, there’s also a back-to-school mindset associated with fall, making it an ideal time to buckle down on home repairs.
And with the changing seasons, there’s usually plenty to do: cleaning the gutters, repairing leaky spigots, winterproofing exterior surfaces, sealing sources of drafts, and more. Personally, I like to take a long weekend for my own home improvement project palooza, now entering its third year. But since I’m trying not to spend my whole savings on my to-do list, these are the low-budget improvements I’m prioritizing.
1. Paint the exterior trim around windows and doors: $70
Many homeowners can complete this project with a single can of exterior paint, and the finished look is clean and polished. You might stick with the same color or take the opportunity to go bold with a striking contrast that complements your siding. But it’s not all about aesthetics—if you have wood siding, an extra coat also helps seal out moisture and prevent rot.
I picked up a 1-gallon can of Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Latex paint color-matched to James Hardie trim in Arctic White—when on sale, I got it for 40 percent off, about $62. Or, check out Benjamin Moore’s Element Guard starting at $70, which is designed to resist cracking and peeling even in harsh weather.
2. Seal up air leaks before winter: $35
There’s nothing comfortable about a drafty house, so take the time before winter sets in to find and seal air leaks. Caulking windows and weatherstripping exterior doors are both budget-friendly tasks that significantly improve your comfort and reduce your utility bills. Ideally, you should revisit these tasks every 5 years or so. DAP Dynaflex—our team’s favorite exterior caulk from testing—only runs $8 per tube (get two for good measure), and three strips of a five-star vinyl weatherstripping at Lowe’s will only set you back about $19.
3. Shop smart lighting while it’s on sale: $30
Seasonal sales are a great time to pick up smart home tech, including WiFi-connected LED light bulbs. While they’re a bit of an investment compared to LED bulbs, they’re becoming more affordable—like this three-pack of GE Cync bulbs for $30—and requiring less for setups (read: no hubs). Plus, they offer plenty of benefits. In our home, we use them to help us ensure our lights are off when we’re not around, schedule porch lights to greet us at dusk, and randomize lights when we’re away. We even have a set that is automated to flash blue and red as a touchdown celebration for our favorite football team—go Bills!
4. Boost curb appeal with container gardens: $60
Frame a front door with potted shrubs or container gardens for an instant upgrade in curb appeal. Heading into fall, look for evergreen plants that will stay attractive through the season. The combination of a plant and its pot—depending on the material and size—can get pricey at a nursery. But lately, I’m finding pairs of porch plants going for under $60 in local online auctions through sites like AuctionNinja.com.
5. Check your water heater settings: $0
It costs nothing to adjust your water heater temperature, and dialing it back to 120 degrees Fahrenheit could save money on your utility bills. You’ll still have comfortably warm water, but you’ll use less energy to maintain it.
My gas-powered Rheem water heater’s dial goes from Hot to A, B, C, then Very Hot. In my case, “Hot” would be the factory setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit—and it had been at C this whole time. I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to my next utility bill to spot the difference.
The post 5 Home Improvements I’m Making for Under $100 This Fall appeared first on Bob Vila.
