The right cold-weather upgrade depends less on what’s popular and more on the house you live in. A long gravel driveway and a busy mudroom need different things than a townhome with a one-car garage. Even something as simple as a garage opener remote makes more sense once you think about who’s coming and going. Start with the space, and the shopping list gets shorter.
Starting Outside: The Driveway and Garage
Cold weather shows up outside first, so that’s where to start. The goal is to buy gear and supplies sized to your driveway and garage.
Let the Driveway Decide the Snow Removal Tool
Before comparing tools, measure your driveway and think about how much snow a typical winter brings where you live. Whether the surface is paved or gravel matters too, since gravel rules out some machines entirely. Those answers narrow your choices quickly.
For a short driveway or a single-car pad, a good set of snow shovels handles the whole job. Many homeowners keep two: a wide pusher for clearing paths and a smaller scoop for lifting heavier snow. Look for a bent handle, which keeps you more upright while you push. Shovels also reach spots where a machine won’t fit, like porch steps.
When the driveway stretches past a couple of car lengths or storms regularly drop more than a few inches of snow, a gas snow blower saves you time and effort. Single-stage models handle paved driveways and moderate snowfall. Two-stage models add an impeller that moves deeper, heavier snow, and they can work on gravel when the skid shoes are set properly. Gas models don’t need a cord or a charged battery, so you can clear the far end of a long driveway or a neighbor’s sidewalk without running out of power. Storage is also a consideration. Measure the open floor space in your garage, especially if it already holds two cars and a mower.
Quick Guide: Matching Snow Removal to Your Driveway
| Option | Best For | Typical Snowfall | Surface | Keep in Mind |
| Shovel | Short driveways and walkways | Light | Paved or gravel | Takes more time and effort as snow piles up |
| Single-stage blower | Small to medium driveways | Light to moderate | Paved only | Lighter and easier to store |
| Two-stage blower | Long driveways and frequent heavy snow | Heavy or deep | Paved or gravel | Takes up more room in the garage |
One Remote Per Driver Keeps the Garage Easy
In colder months, the garage turns into the main way in and out of the house for many families. Count the people who use it in a normal week. A household with three drivers, including a teen who just got a license, already needs more than the remotes that came with the opener.
Adding a garage opener remote for each driver means nobody has to swap one between cars. A spare in a kitchen drawer covers the day a battery gives out, and fresh batteries in every remote each fall keep them responsive through winter. If your opener is older or you’re unsure of the brand, a universal remote works with many opener makers. Check the compatibility list on the package first.
An exterior keypad helps, too. Kids walking home from school can punch in a code instead of carrying a house key.
Bringing It Inside: Heat and Floors
Inside the house, the questions change. Room size decides what kind of heat makes sense, and foot traffic decides which floor holds up. Both are easy to check with a tape measure and a look at how you use each room.
Extra Heat for the Room the Furnace Misses
Many homes have one room that never feels as warm as the rest. It might be your home office at the end of the hall or a back bedroom with older windows that let heat escape. Along with addressing air gaps in windows and doors, an electrical space heater warms that one room without turning up the thermostat for the whole house.
Match the heater to the room. Heaters usually list a coverage area, so compare that number to the room’s square footage before you buy. A compact heater suits a small office, while an open family room needs a larger model. Pick one with a thermostat so the room holds a steady temperature, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and use. A carry handle helps if the heater will move between rooms during the day.
Floors That Handle What Boots Track In
Winter boots track in slush and road salt, and the floor right inside the door takes the worst of it. Many vinyl products handle that well, resisting water and wiping clean with a damp mop. Which format to choose depends on the room.
For an entryway or mudroom, vinyl tile floors are a strong pick. They look like stone or ceramic but feel softer underfoot. Repairs stay simple, too. If a tile is gouged, you can often replace just that piece and leave the rest alone. Add a boot tray and a few wall hooks for a mudroom that stays organized through the cold months.
Winter brings its own bathroom moisture, too: typically longer, hotter showers and more steam. Vinyl bathroom floors are made for that kind of daily exposure. Sheet vinyl suits a small bathroom best, since it can often go down in a single piece with no seams. Plank and tile styles work too, as long as the product is rated for wet areas. Wood-look and stone-look finishes let you match the rest of the room. Whichever format you choose, start with a clean, level subfloor so the vinyl lies flat.
FAQs
When Is a Gas Snow Blower Worth It Over a Shovel?
A snow blower makes sense once shoveling the driveway takes long enough to wear you out or when storms regularly leave heavy, wet snow behind. It also throws snow well past the driveway’s edge, so the side banks don’t keep growing all winter.
Will a Universal Remote Work with Any Garage Door Opener?
A universal garage opener remote pairs with many common opener brands, though not every model. To pair it, press the learn or program button on the opener’s motor unit, then press a button on the new remote within the time its instructions give. Many openers flash their light or click once the pairing works.
How Do You Choose the Right Size Electrical Space Heater for a Room?
Start with the room’s square footage and choose a model rated to cover at least that much space. Ceiling height matters too, since a room with tall or vaulted ceilings needs more heat than its floor size suggests. For a large or oddly shaped room, an oscillating model spreads warmth more evenly.
Are Vinyl Tile Floors a Good Choice for an Entryway?
Yes. Many vinyl tile products resist water and wipe clean after salt and slush come in. For an entryway, look for a thicker wear layer, which holds up better to grit, and a textured finish that’s less slippery when wet. A sturdy mat inside the door catches much of the salt first.
About Menards®
Menards® is the place Midwest homeowners turn to when they need to get a project done, whether that’s a quick weekend fix or something bigger down the road. With high-quality, name-brand tools, materials, and hardware, including a gas snow blower for whenever winter shows up, Menards® keeps your options open no matter the size of the job. In-store experts and online planning tools help turn an idea into a finished space, and with more than 300 locations across the Midwest, help is never far away.
Find the right fit for every corner of your home this season at https://www.menards.com/
Holding a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, Emily Rodriguez has dedicated more than two decades to the art and science of building renovation. Starting her journey in historic preservation, she developed a profound respect for blending old with new in building design. Emily became a vital part of our team in 2019, renowned for her insightful and innovative renovation tips. She has been leading our DIY home improvement series since ever since, where she shares her wealth of knowledge in turning outdated spaces into modern havens. When not engaged in writing or consulting, Emily is a passionate advocate for heritage conservation and enjoys exploring vintage architecture, a hobby that complements her professional expertise.
