When you think of home renovation, the potential cost is probably one of the first things that spring to mind. According to the Homeowners Alliance, typical costs of renovating a house can range anywhere from £1000 for treating rot to £34,000 for a new extension, so it’s easy to see why the potential price tag might cause you to hesitate.
However, rather than buying new furniture or replacing your windows and doors, there are more budget-friendly ways to improve them or fit them to your style instead.
From easy fixes to DIY projects and fresh coats of paint, we’ll look at some of the small things that can make a big difference to your windows and doors, without costing the earth.
Ironmongery
Changing the ironmongery around your home is a great and inexpensive way of adding characterful touches to any room, as well as making sure that your windows and doors are kept in working order.
From modern and minimal graphite to traditional brass handles, there are many different colours and styles available to match the rest of your décor. As a rough budget you can have three handles supplied and installed from as little as £100.
Replace cabinet doors
If the doors in your bathroom or kitchen have become marked, stained, or just outdated, they can make the whole room look tired.
Rather than ripping everything out and replacing it with new cabinetry, it’s possible to just change the doors for a fraction of the cost. New cabinet doors can completely change the overall look of a room and are an easy way to transform your kitchen.
A fresh coat of paint
Whether for furniture, walls, or even doors, paint is possibly one of the easiest ways to spruce up your home. It can also mean less effort and disruption if you don’t have the time to commit to full-scale renovations.
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way towards giving doors and furniture a new lease of life; if you’re feeling experimental, it’s a great way to go beyond the usual plain white. Choose vivid colours to create a focal point, use stencils to incorporate patterns, or try contrasting colours for a stylish edge.
For your kitchen, painting your top and bottom cabinets in different colours can result in a very striking and on-trend finish. Just make sure that your doors, particularly those in your kitchen, are thoroughly cleaned, sanded, and primed before painting.
Brighten up your windows and doors
Instead of replacing windows entirely, there are smaller things you can do that are very cost effective.
One of the ways in which you can easily refresh your windows is to have new timber sills and surrounds fitted on the inside. If you have a small or dark room, choose a brilliant white to instantly brighten it. If you want something more classic, a solid oak or cherry sill can add warmth and cosiness.
Over time, you may also find that your windows and doors don’t quite work as they should. They may have become draughty or developed condensation in between the panes of glass, which is usually caused by a breakdown in the seal that binds the glass unit together.
Repairing misted or cracked glazing is another way to breathe new life into a room, with costs starting from around £150 per glass unit, fully fitted.
With doors, you can replace faulty locks, fit new letterboxes or personalise with stained glass to change the entire look of your door – your home will look reinvigorated as a result.
Deal with the little issues
There are lots of reasons why you might want to give the windows and doors in your home a facelift. It could be to make the space more suited to you and your family, to be better for entertaining guests, or even to help increase its value.
Whichever improvements you might decide to carry out on your home, it’s also the perfect opportunity to fix up the little problems as well.
Draughty doors, wobbly handles, or misted glass may not be on the top of your list when it comes to renovating your home, but they all affect how your home feels to live in.
Straight-forward window or door repairs can improve the security and sustainability of your home both now and in the years to come. When you use FIX from CR Smith, all repairs come with a 12-month warranty for your peace of mind. Sometimes, it’s the small enhancements that make your home feel like it’s had an entire makeover and transform it into a space that makes you comfortable and relaxed – just as a home should.
Sources
https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/house-renovation-costs/