How to Maintain Durability of Home Features Exposed to the Elements

Nature possesses some of the most destructive forces known to the planet, which can quickly tarnish your home’s exposed features. Maintenance of outdoor furniture, window and door trim and exposed electrical systems can ensure these outlast wind storms, rain, hail and drastic temperatures. These basic tasks are well within the scope of the average DIY enthusiast and ideal for a sunny weekend. Love Your Wood Furniture Most modern homes have extensive exterior woodwork, such as door frames, pool furniture, decking and picket fencing. Heat, UV damage, excessive water and wind force can cause your home’s exterior woodwork to deteriorate quickly. Fortunately, with some elbow juice, sanding paper, brushes and wood treatment products, you can quickly breathe new life into these vital features and give your home a mini facelift. Start by checking for signs of rot. You can still salvage the items if it hasn’t penetrated deeply yet. However, if rot or insect damage has reached the core, it’s time to replace compromised sections. Strip away rotten decking and furniture sections that are beyond salvaging. Then, find replacement pieces that fit well. Next, sand as much of the surface away as possible, leaving a fresh start. Seal the entire piece with the appropriate UV-resistant sealant or paint, such as the whole deck or an entire pool lounger. Follow the manufacturer’s guide on drying times and decide whether you require a second coat to achieve a lasting finish. Maintain Burglar Guards Next, inspect the burglar guards on your windows and the ornamental railings on your balconies. Do you notice any rust or damage? Remove any cracked paint or signs of rust. Apply a rustproofing undercoat and consider powder coating the entire framework for a durable finish lasting 15-25 years with regular cleaning and maintenance. Choose a polyester or polyurethane coating to ensure UV weathering doesn’t cause cracking or fading. Consider Adding Window Shutters Evaluate the type of forces your home faces daily. Add wooden shutters to protect your windows if you experience frequent storms and high winds. Start by measuring your windows, leaving enough room for the hinges and some overlap to protect the vulnerable glass. Note any hardware, like water downpipes secured against the walls near your windows. The hardware store may advise you on premade shutters, or if you’re very handy, you can buy timber and make shutters from scratch. Stain and seal the shutters before installing them, but let them dry to avoid sticky fingers and smudged walls. Once dry, measure carefully so the panels align and mount them with the appropriate hardware. Add weatherproof latches to secure the boards and stop them from flapping against the walls or glass. Treat and inspect these annually to ensure a long service life and continued functionality. Seal Framework Look at the window and door frames while you’re on the windows and walls. These will most likely need a little TLC, too. Note any cracks or gaps around the framework where masonry may have fallen out. Any gaps can significantly affect your home’s energy envelope, reducing the efficiency of your HVAC system and running up your electricity bill. Large gaps will need weatherproof stripping, while smaller cracks need simple caulking. Use a wire brush and rubbing alcohol to remove any loose grit in the openings and apply the correct caulking grade to eliminate these. Finish up with a fresh coat of paint, or if you’re not ready for a complete repaint, choose an alternate color and paint a thin frame around the window or door frame, creating a unique architectural look. Secure Your AC Unit Finally, your AC unit serves you faithfully all year round, and the large box outside your home needs a quick check, too. Rust is a common AC killer, so switch off the unit’s power, ensuring there’s no live electricity in the circuit it’s wired to and remove the exterior covering. Use a soft brush to remove any dust or debris, and evaluate whether the unit needs a repaint or filter changes or if you should install an AC cover to protect it from rain, hail and heat. Remember, the cover is likely steel, so you can treat it like your burglar guards by applying a rustproofing coating first and then painting as needed. Also, check the mounting hardware for signs of damage, which can compromise the unit’s safety, and replace these if required. Facelift Your Home Today Durability comes down to maintenance, hardware choices and regular inspection. Add these items to your seasonal property checklist and regularly clean all outdoor features to eliminate dust and rust. With care, these items can last decades.   Jack Shaw is a writer and editor for the lifestyle magazine Modded, as well as a car enthusiast and lover of nature. His writings on home design and renovations have been published on sites like CADdetails, A House in the Hills, House 2 Home Organizing and more. Feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn.