Honeycomb cellular shades conserve heat to help winterize a home

Before frigid temperatures and stormy days descend on homeowners, they should take winterizing steps to get their homes ready for the colder days ahead, according to RealEstateMSN.com.

Once leaves have fallen, the home's gutters need to be scraped and rinsed out to prevent later ice buildup that can seep into the house. Downspouts should be aligned to carry water away from the house foundation to prevent water damage.


Michael Broili, director of the Well Home Program for the Phinney Neighborhood Association in Seattle, told the website, "The rule of thumb is that water should be at least 10 feet away from the house."


Inside the home, blocking drafty areas such as windows, door frames and electrical outlets, goes a long way towards conserving energy that otherwise would escape through leaks. Some inexpensive measures include adding door sweeps to close the space under exterior doors, installing outlet gaskets in electrical outlets that are on the home's outer walls and caulking around windows and doors.


Window treatments that can be installed to save energy include honeycomb cellular shades, which trap air to conserve heat in winter. The shades are available in a variety of colors that can be matched to contemporary or traditional home decor.