Sure, it may still be summer for another month or so, but it’s never too early to start prepping your home for the colder months ahead. There are many ways to remodel parts of your home to defend against the cold, rain, snow, and wind for many years to come.
Start with thinking about the things in your home that bothered you during the last cold season. Was it your drafty windows? Leaking or poorly insulated roof? Wasted energy or too-high energy costs? There are a few different ways relieve those pains now before it’s too late.
Window Replacement
If drafty windows are the problem, you will most likely need to replace them. Simply repairing them will not do the trick because drafts are usually caused by either the window’s old age or an improper installation, so you are better off with new windows anyway. The replacement windows we offer at Archway have the best features when it comes to weather-resistance, including a powerful interlock technology that locks the window firmly into the sill. This creates a “wall of strength” combined with three layers of weather stripping to eliminate drafts and withstand high winds. Learn more about this technology here.
Roof Replacement
If it’s your roof that’s giving you problems, it is essential to have a licensed professional roofing contractor out to your home to inspect it. This will help you determine whether or not the roof can be repaired, or if it needs a full tear off and replacement. If the roof is leaking or insulation is wearing down, your best bet for a long-term solution is to have your roof replaced. Every roof replacement at Archway comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can rest easy knowing that you are covered against any damage in the future. All of our replacement roofs include starter strips, which speed up installation time and protect against blow-offs, and ridge cap shingles which help protect against leaks. They also include a protective layer of armor under the shingles that prevents wind-driven rain and provides an additional layer of protection between the shingles and the roof deck.
Insulation
If your home is too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer, or you have noticed your energy bills climbing, you may have issues with your insulation. We provide insulation services and use high-quality fiberglass insulation from Owen’s Corning, one of the most trusted companies for exterior remodeling materials. If your home is over 10 years old, it may not be up to today’s standards of insulation, so we recommend having an expert come out to see if it’s time to replace it. New insulation is a great investment is you are trying to keep your home warm in the winter while also saving on your energy bills.
DIY Winter Prep
Aside from remodeling, there are some things you can do yourself to help prep your home for the winter months. These include:
- Check handrails on exterior stairs to make sure they’re well secured, and secure them if they are not.
- Check you gutters and downspouts to see if they are properly secured, and secure them if they are loose or hanging off your roof.
- Look at exposed ducts in the attic, basement, and crawl spaces for leaks, and plug up with a sealant if you find any.
- Replace your thermostat with a programmable one if you don’t already have one. This will help you save on heating costs.
- Check your smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in working order