Where to Begin
Where to Begin: How to Prioritize Home Improvement Projects for Safety, Security, and Comfort
Home improvement is a never-ending process for homeowners. Sometimes it’s a fun, weekend project focused on curb appeal. Other times, it’s a serious or urgent issue that can’t wait. With so many possible upgrades, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — wondering where to start, what to prioritize, and whether to tackle projects yourself or hire a professional.
At Aztec Manufacturing, we’ve worked with homeowners across Pueblo and Southern Colorado for 80 years, and one question comes up again and again:
What home improvement projects should come first?
This blog focuses on prioritizing safety, security, and lifestyle products — what needs immediate attention and what can wait.
Understanding the Difference: Safety vs. Security vs. Lifestyle
Before prioritizing projects, it helps to define these categories clearly:
Safety products reduce the risk of injury or accidents.
Security products help prevent unauthorized access to your home or property.
Lifestyle products improve comfort and quality of life but aren’t essential for preventing harm.
All three are important, but they don’t carry the same urgency.
Start with Safety: Protect the People You Care About Most
The safety of your family, pets, and visitors should always come first. Walk around your home and yard and identify anything that could cause a fall, injury, or accident.
Window Well Covers: A Critical Safety Upgrade
One of the most overlooked — and dangerous — hazards is an uncovered window well. Even shallow window wells pose a serious risk of injury or death if someone falls in. Pets and wildlife can also become trapped, leading to dehydration or heat exhaustion.
Installing custom window well covers should be an immediate priority for homeowners, especially when moving into a new home. Properly fitted covers dramatically reduce fall risks while still allowing light and ventilation into your basement.
Handrails and Guard Rails: Preventing Dangerous Falls
Porches, stoops, stairs, and elevated walkways without proper railings are another major safety concern. One misstep can result in serious injury.
In Pueblo and throughout Colorado, weather adds another layer of risk. Snow, ice, rain, and wind can turn stairs into hazards overnight. A sturdy, well-installed handrail or guard rail provides stability when conditions are less than ideal — even for those who feel steady on their feet.
Quality and Fit Matter
When it comes to safety products, quality is non-negotiable. A poorly built or improperly installed railing or window well cover can create a false sense of security, which may be more dangerous than having nothing at all.
Custom fabrication ensures:
A precise fit
Structural strength
Long-term reliability
This is why professional fabrication and installation matter for safety-critical upgrades.
When Security Comes First
If you’re concerned about immediate threats to your home or property, security may need to take priority. Preventing a break-in is far better than repairing the damage afterward.
Security Doors: Your First Line of Defense
Steel security doors are one of the most effective ways to protect your home. They reinforce your primary entry points, help prevent forced entry, protect your main door from weather, and add an extra layer of insulation.
Think of a security door as a 24/7 guard at your front entrance — protecting your home while you sleep or are away.
Window Security Options That Don’t Sacrifice Style
Windows are another common access point. While some homeowners worry that window guards (also called burglar bars) look unattractive, modern designs can be both functional and visually appealing.
Custom window guards can:
Match architectural styles
Add decorative value
Provide strong deterrence
For homeowners seeking a more discreet option, stainless steel security screens offer excellent protection while remaining nearly invisible from the street. They’re durable, low-maintenance, easy to operate in emergencies, and available in colors that complement your home.
Gates: Securing the Perimeter
Installing gates at key access points like sidewalks and driveways helps deter unwanted visitors before they reach your home. A properly fitted gate sends a clear message while also enhancing the overall appearance of your property.
Custom gates can be both ornamental and formidable, providing security without sacrificing curb appeal. For best results, gates should match the height and strength of surrounding fencing to prevent easy access.
Lifestyle Upgrades: Comfort That Enhances Daily Living
Once safety and security needs are addressed, lifestyle products can significantly improve how you use and enjoy your home.
Shade Structures and Outdoor Comfort
Many homes have beautiful porches or patios that go unused due to sun exposure, heat, or wind. Patio covers, porch covers, awnings, and shade structures can transform these areas into comfortable, usable living spaces.
Interior and exterior shades — including solar shades and screened systems — reduce glare, block heat, and extend the usability of indoor and outdoor areas.
Advanced options like:
Cable-guided shades
Zipper screen shades
Hurricane screens
allow shades to remain functional even in windy conditions, creating additional protected living space.
Window Awnings: Style with Protection
Window awnings add character while also protecting interiors from UV damage and weather exposure. Both steel and canvas awnings help reduce heat gain, protect trim from moisture, and lower long-term maintenance costs.
Budgeting for Home Improvement Projects
With so many options available, budgeting becomes essential. Understanding which projects are urgent, which require saving, and which can be phased in over time helps homeowners make smart, stress-free decisions.
In the next blog, we’ll explore practical ways to budget and plan for larger home improvement projects.
Final Thought
After 80+ years serving Pueblo and Southern Colorado, one thing remains clear:
Start with safety, secure what matters most, and then invest in comfort.
When projects are prioritized correctly and built with quality craftsmanship, your home becomes safer, more secure, and more enjoyable for years to come.