Origin's Guide To Winter-Proofing Your Home

Author Profile
Alexandra works in the marketing department, and in 2014, bought her first house, which turned out to be somewhat of a ‘project’.
Since then, the whole house has needed renovating, which has helped her gain a knowledge of basic DIY, decorating and making the best of a small space.

By Alexandra Giles

Warm up this winter with our bumper internal and external tips
Thermalise the insides of your house
Check the outside of your house for potential heat leaks

At Origin, our beautiful bi-fold doors offer superb views of the garden and provide a seamless transition between the outdoors and indoors, especially in summer. Autumn and winter weather can also provide gorgeous views of the garden, from the warm reds of the changing leaves to Christmas card perfect crisp white snow, but these seasons can also bring potential problems to your home and garden.

The view of the garden is vital to many homeowners and 81% of people feel their mood is lifted when they see a beautiful view. Origin’s bi-folding doors can maximise the views from your home and bring lots of lovely natural light into the home – something which is hard to come by in winter. Our doors can be installed in time for Christmas so if you’re looking to increase light levels and give your home an unrivalled view then speak to your local installer.

As the nights draw in and the weather becomes cooler, you can make some key preparations so you can enjoy your home and the view of your garden throughout the colder weather.

Outside the home

The festive season can be a hectic time which means that there’s enough to do in winter without worrying about maintaining your home in the colder weather. Some careful preparation can mean you can enjoy stunning views of your garden throughout winter and avoid the annoyance of weather damage to your property.

Clean out your guttering and downspouts – leaves and moss can accumulate in guttering and down spouts, creating blockages and weakening joints which can lead to leaks which can saturate your walls and create damp patches. You could also consider trimming any trees with branches which grow over your property to prevent future leaf debris from blocking the guttering.
Check your roof for missing or loose tiles – if you have a loft, you will be able to see light shining through where tiles are cracked, loose or missing and you should also be able to see (or even smell) signs of water damage. Alternatively, check your roof from the outside either from the ground or safely with a ladder. Pay particular attention to the condition of flashing around the chimney and any vents.
Clear pathways and drains from leaves and debris – it’s not just ice that can be slippy this time of year, a build-up of wet leaves on damp surfaces can be really dangerous. Drains blocked by leaves can cause flooding on paths and in the garden which can be a real problem once the freezing weather sets in. This is especially important around Christmas time if you have guests visiting who could potentially slip on frozen paths or leaves.
Have your chimney swept – blockages in the chimney can mean your open fire or woodstove won’t be working to its maximum efficiency as air won’t be able to circulate freely. Having a clear chimney will mean that the fuel you burn will heat your home more effectively. A clear chimney is of course vital to a happy Christmas, not only for warmth, but to ensure Father Christmas can visit your house with ease! The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps lists certified chimney sweeps from across the UK.
Protect your garden ornaments - move any stone garden ornaments such as statues or birdbaths indoors (the shed or garage would be ideal) or cover them up to avoid water permeation which can cause cracks if it freezes. Also move or cover vulnerable plants, shrubs and trees and wooden garden furniture.
Protect your decking - if you have wooden decking, clear the surface and apply a coat of wood sealant to ensure it’s protected throughout the winter.
If you have bi-folding doors installed in your home then now is a good time to give them a really good clean and ensure they’re well maintained. Sparkling glazing will ensure you have the best views possible throughout the winter weather. For tips on maintaining your bi-fold doors, check out Origin’s bi-fold maintenance guide.

Inside the home

Your home in autumn and winter should be a cosy place to relax in, complete with hot chocolate and a roaring fire, so banish the drafts and keep your home toasty with these tips.

Fit thermal curtains or blinds – typically, 30% of a home’s heating is lost through its windows and doors, a simple and low cost way to reduce this is to install thermal curtains or blinds. Thermal curtains and blinds add an extra layer to windows and doors to help banish drafts from the home. Even if you have large or unusual shaped windows or doors, such as bi-folding doors, you will find that many manufacturers create bespoke blinds for these.
Increase insulation – approximately 26% of a home’s energy is lost through the roof so insulating your loft will be a great investment for winter. Also insulating your hot water pipes and tank will ensure your hot water stays hotter for longer and can also reduce the risk of pipes freezing.
Have your boiler checked – ask a Gas Safe registered engineer to take a look at your boiler and ensure it’s in good working order. It’s important to do this well before Christmas as engineers can be booked up around the festive season and callout charges can be huge if the worst happens and your boiler breaks down.
Bleed your radiators - open the valves slightly to let trapped air out and once water appears close the valve again.
Know where your water tap is – if your pipes do burst then you will need to know where the stop-clock is for your water system and be able to turn this off quickly.
Check your insurance policies – review your home and contents insurance to check you have adequate coverage should your home be affected by cold weather.

With a little forward planning, you can enjoy a cosy autumn and winter, free from problems caused by wind, rain, ice and snow. Remember, there’s still time to have beautiful bi-fold doors installed for Christmas so you can enjoy the ultimate view this festive season!