One suggestion is to consider adding decorative shutters to your windows. Many of these are both decorative as well as functional and they come in a wide assortment of colours. You can get them in wood, vinyl, composite, aluminium and even fibreglass. Whether your home is brick or has vinyl siding, decorative window shutters can give it a whole new look. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

You may also want to consider having the fascia and guttering replaced at the same time to complete the new colour scheme you have chosen for your home. Actually, there may be water damage to the fascia and soffit if the current guttering system has been in place for any length of time. By having your fascia, soffit and guttering inspected and replaced, you will also be helping to prevent leaks and water damage at the same time as giving your house a new appeal.

If you want to go one step further, you could also replace the front door as well to complement your new colours. While you might feel that this could run into quite a bit of money, it is much less expensive than moving; and who knows, if you do decide to move you’ve just increased the value of your property by that much more!

One of the problem areas which many homeowners have is all that mud that collects around the perimeter of their homes after a heavy rain. Most often this is because of a faulty guttering system. If you are having difficulty keeping the lawn and garden free from mud and soil erosion, consider having a roofing contractor inspect and either repair your current gutters or install a new guttering system around your roof.

Next you need to consider if you really need all those lovely shade trees near the house. Yes, they do keep the home cool during warm summer months, but are they causing more harm than good? Quite often the roots work their way up under the walkways, driveways and even into the foundation of your home. As well, in the autumn all those leaves will need to be raked up and disposed of. If you are having problems with roots and leaves, consider having the troublemakers cut down and the trunk and roots removed.

Not only can those tall shade trees cause damage on the ground, the leaves and branches that fall with the changing of the season could also be the ultimate demise of an improperly installed guttering system along your roof. By seeing to those tall trees and your roof’s gutters, you could vastly improve both the looks and the structural integrity of your property. If you are having problems with mud, soil erosion and roots popping up in every direction, it’s time to ask yourself, “Do I really need all those trees?”

The cost of having the trees removed and installing a new guttering system is far less than the cost of repairing your home once the structural damage is done.

The first thing about fireplaces which may not be readily understood is that if you burn any type of natural fuel, there is no way to avoid creosote from building up in the chimney. It is recommended that you have your chimney thoroughly inspected prior to the onset of colder weather and cleaned if necessary to prevent fires which can result from a buildup of creosote.

However, creosote isn’t the only thing you need to worry about. Birds and other small animals nesting in the chimney can leave feathers and fur, as well as twigs, leaves and nests behind which are also a fire hazard. Add that to the sticky creosote that has built up over time and you have kindling asking to be lit! The best way to avoid small animals and birds nesting is to have a chimney cap installed.

Chimney caps can also help in other areas as well. Not only do they help to prevent fires from debris that collects in the chimney, but they can also be installed to control the amount and direction of draft. If you have been experiencing difficulty in keeping your fire lit, or having it burn much too hot and quickly, you have a draft problem. Certain chimney caps are manufactured with these specific issues in mind.

Finally, a good screen should be in place in order to prevent hot embers from floating out and catching furniture or other fabric on fire. With a draft controlling chimney cap, an annual inspection and/or cleaning along with a high quality fireplace screen, you can enjoy that toasty fire all winter long.

There are a number of ways in which to build garden buildings with DIY plans readily available at your local home improvement stores or they can be found online as well. Whether you are looking to build a gazebo in the garden or a Tiki hut near the pool, you can easily find the instructions to build your own or you could purchase a DIY kit ready to be constructed.

Unfortunately, one of the aspects of building or renovating a garden building is what to do with the roof. While the structure itself may be dealt with quite easily, working on that roof could be a bit of a struggle. Find a local roofer to help you add the roof that came with the kit, or have them design a totally unique roof for your current garden building. This is especially important if you are building or renovating a Tiki.

Most often a Tiki will have a thatched roof made from reeds that are built up in layers. Thatching is a skill that takes a knowledgeable roofer to accomplish, but the finished product is well worth the cost. You can add charm to your grounds while providing a place to entertain when the warm months finally arrive.

Not only will your garden buildings give you many hours of enjoyment, they will add to the value of your property as well. This is the time of year to start your exterior home improvements so that you will be able to enjoy your garden from the first warm days of spring until the autumn chill arrives.

You may not be considering selling your home at the moment, but down the road you just might put it up on the market. It is amazing how much value just one extra room adds to the asking price for a home and in the meantime you can put it to good use. If you don’t want to use it yourself, you can always ship the kids up there to play without getting under your feet at every turn!

Perhaps you have been looking for some quiet corner to get a bit of work done without a million interruptions. Loft conversions make the perfect area for a home office which can also double as a sitting room or den. Add a skylight or two and you can gaze out at the stars at night or work without artificial lighting during the day. Not only is it cost effective, but you can actually find a place to relax in solitude at the end of a long hard day.

If you are considering adding usable space to your home with a loft conversion, most often a qualified roofing company would be able to handle the construction for you. At the same time they can help you with choosing the appropriate lighting and windows to make the most of a natural, sustainable source of free light. Add extra space to your home, go green with natural lighting and save your sanity on those days when you just need a little privacy. That’s the best definition of loft conversions yet!

The Aurora house, which has an ‘A’ rated energy performance certificate, was built as a result of a partnership between South Lanarkshire College, Dawn Homes and more than 50 private sector partners.

The Aurora house with tiles from Marley Eternit

It is a flagship development that is being used as a training facility by students of the college who are aiming to work in the construction sector.

Designed by architects Jewitt Arschavir and Wilkie, the house uses both Rivendale fibre cement slates and Ecologic Ludlow Major Tiles.

The EcoLogic tile can absorb and neutralise harmful nitrous oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere.

During its lifetime an average sized roof using Ecologic tiles could remove the amount of NOx equivalent to that emitted by a modern car driving 100,000 miles.

The tile contains around 50 per cent recycled content.

As Rivendale fibre cement slates are produced in the UK, they receive an A+ rating in the BRE Green Guide to Specification.