While most homeowners have a seemingly endless list of home improvement projects to address, the season for getting each project completed should be considered along with budgeting, time, and contractors to ensure durability and efficiency of the project. Outdoor areas, masonry, landscape designs, and hardscape designs are best worked on during spring, summer, and early fall, while indoor projects are best saved for the late fall, winter, and early spring. Read on for some general rules of thumb for your projects and the time of year they should be done.
Outdoor Projects
Late spring through early fall is a great time for hardscaping projects like paver patios, walkways, and driveways because there is less risk of stone and concrete hardscape materials overheating, cracking, or setting incorrectly. The pros of building a patio in the spring is that it will be ready to use for summer, but keep in mind that spring rain can halt or delay work.
While summer is the peak season for creating outdoor designs such as outdoor kitchens, fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, water features, and chimney facing, the cooler temperatures of late spring or early fall allow for more comfortable outdoor work. Summer is great for laying pavers and creating retaining walls because the soil is less wet and not heavy.
Focusing on landscape projects like retaining walls and laying pavers while it is dry out will make sure that everything is set properly and ready to use before rain or harsher winter conditions. The pros of placing concrete pavers, retaining wall blocks, and natural elements like flagstone during mild conditions is there is little risk of incorrect installation. Use the early fall to finish any outdoor areas before winter.
Avoid doing any outdoor projects like cladding or laying pavers in the winter because bedding sand and joint can’t get wet. Use time during the winter to work on indoor projects or pre-plan your spring projects and finalize all details.
Masonry Projects
The moderate weather of spring and fall is perfect for masonry work and even curing for manufactured and natural stone veneer, as well as brick veneer. Concrete and mortar install well in stable summer conditions, though it’s important to keep these materials moist in extreme heat to prevent damage. Spring is a great time for wall and outdoor living space masonry installation as well as chimney work.
Only emergency or small repairs should be performed in winter instead of large improvement projects unless you live somewhere with mild conditions. During the winter, focus on indoor masonry projects. Slimbrick, Natural Stone Veneer, and Cultured Stone or Eldorado Stone are all popular choices for creating an accent wall, arch, or indoor fireplace.
Natural & Manufactured Stone Veneer
Whether you’re focusing on outdoor living spaces, hardscaping, landscaping, masonry, or a combination of projects, planning during the correct seasons can allow homeowners to get the most out of their home improvement and curb appeal efforts. Plan strategically to create a project that will have peak functionality and durability as well as being something you will enjoy for years to come.
External Resources:
Internal Resources:
- Mutual Materials – Protect Your Home from All Weather Conditions
- Mutual Materials – Prepare Your Chimney For Winter
- Mutual Materials – Know the Difference: Hardscape, Landscape, and Masonry
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