12 Fall Home Improvement Projects to Add to Your To-Do List

Homeowners often can’t wait for the cooler weather that fall brings. A break from the summer heat is one perk of the season, but it’s also time to work on the home maintenance that you neglected over the summer months. Fall home improvement projects are great because the weather is mild.

You’ll also be able to give your home a fresh look by checking these home improvement ideas off of your to-do list.

We’re going to start with one of the most important projects: front door replacement. Then, we’ll dive into additional projects you can complete.

12 Fall Home Improvement Projects to Consider

1. Replace Your Front Door

Have you been holding off on a front door replacement? If so, it may be time to make that exterior door replacement a priority. New doors improve durability, reduce noise, keep the cold air from entering the home and look great.

If you need a glass door replacement for your storm door, now is the perfect time to make that replacement.

Insulated front doors, such as fiberglass or steel, keep your energy bills low and improve the home’s comfort level.

2. Caulk or Re-Caulk Your Windows and Doors

Your windows and doors are weak points in the home where cold air can seep in, making the interior temperature uncomfortable and increasing energy bills. One thing that you should do every fall is to check the caulking around doors and windows.

If the sealant needs to be touched up, replaced, or added, fall is the right time to do it.

While reviewing these components, be sure to check the weather stripping and the locks to ensure they’re in good working order.

3. Replace Old and Single-Pane Windows

Old or single-pane windows may have served your home well over the years, but it’s time to upgrade to a double or triple pane window. You’ll also want to replace your windows if you feel a chill when you stand by them in the winter.

Windows that frost or have a lot of condensation are often less efficient and should be replaced.

Swapping out your windows for new ones will:

• Improve your home’s efficiency
• Reduce heating and energy bills

Multiple panes or filler gases can help eliminate the frost or condensation that you’re dealing with.

4. Paint or Repaint Your Interior Molding or Trim

When was the last time that you painted or repainted your trim or molding? Painting these key components adds to the look and feel of the home while also helping to reduce dust and dirt in the process.

You can do the painting on your own or hire a professional painter to help with the job.

5. Power Wash Your House

Power washing is a great way to make your home look great, but it can do more than just improve your home’s aesthetics. When you power wash, you’ll prevent mildew and mold from growing on your siding.

If you’re concerned about damaging your exterior, call in a professional to do the work for you.

6. Wood Repair

One of the many weekend home improvement projects that you should add to your to-do list is to make repairs to your:

• Window casing
• Porch or patio
• Siding

Summer heat and the spring rain cause dry rot or cracking. If you allow your porch to rot, it can lead to sagging or eventual breaking in the future. You’ll want to inspect these key wooden fixtures of your home and hire a professional when you can’t handle the repairs on your own.

7. Check Insulation

Insulation needs to be checked and replaced as necessary. You’ll want to start with your windows and doors to check for any issue with weatherstripping. Be sure to replace any worn or damaged weatherstripping at this time.

If you have a garage door, be sure to do the same inspections and repairs.

Walk into your attic and look for any signs of light. If you notice any light shining through, repairs need to be made.

Seal any gaps, too. Your heating system will work overtime if you allow these key components to go without repair, costing you more money and lowering the lifespan of your HVAC system.

8. Paint Your Home’s Exterior

Fall is the time to paint your home’s exterior. A fresh coat of paint will help seal the exterior of the house. Of course, this isn’t something that you need to do every fall. You should repaint your exterior every 5 to 10 years, depending on the type of siding that you have.

9. Clean, Repair, and Protect Your Gutters

Fall and spring home maintenance are synonymous with gutters. When leaves begin to fall, it’s a good time to clean out your gutters. If the gutters have any damage, be sure to replace them, too.

Clean gutters help promote proper drainage and lower the risk of ice dams in the winter.

10. Roof Repairs

Roof repairs are one of those home improvement projects that pay off because roof replacement costs, on average, are $8,000. But they can be $20,000 or more depending on the home. If you can safely do so, go onto your roof and inspect the shingles that you have.

You’ll want to:

• Replace missing shingles
• Replace damaged shingles

Shingles offer your roof protection from the elements, and replacing them can help reduce the risk of a serious leak in the future. If you notice any other roof damage, be sure to make repairs as necessary.

11. Prep Your Fireplace and Chimney

If you use your fireplace often, you should have the chimney cleaned by a professional as the nights grow colder. You should also have a professional come in to:

• Inspect your flue
• Repair or clean the chimney
• Conduct a full fireplace inspection

Your fireplace is one of the integral components of your home that is difficult to maintain on your own.

12. Fall Lawn Care

One of the home improvement ideas that people seem to neglect is their lawn care. Fall is the best time to reseed your lawn, rake leaves, aerate the ground, and re-mulch. If you want to beef up your grass growth, you can even mulch the leaves and grass to add more nutrients to the soil.

If you have drainage for your driveway or other areas, be sure to take leaves out of these key areas.

Where To Start

Not sure how to prioritize home improvement projects? Start with the most serious issues. Roof repairs, for example, should be a higher priority than lawn care because failing to repair a roof can have significant ramifications.

If you complete some of these fall home improvement projects, you’ll be better prepared for the cold winter months.