Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home. Bitter temperatures, heavy snow, and whipping winds can damage your home’s exterior, leading to costly repairs or replacements in the spring. You might experience broken siding panels due to high winds, or you might notice condensation between your windowpanes. Fortunately, there’s still time to take steps to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Our home improvement experts are here to share their best tips for preparing your home for harsh winter weather.
Protect Your Pipes
New England homeowners know all too well the damage a burst pipe can have on your home. The first deep freeze could result in your pipes freezing and bursting if they aren’t well-insulated. Before winter arrives, take time to wrap your pipes in insulation to protect them from the cold air outside. You might even consider opening cabinet doors to keep warm air circulating around the pipes. Simply taking an hour or two to insulate the pipes in your home could save you thousands of dollars in flood damage.
Seal Cracks and Air Leaks
Nearly one-third of heating and cooling costs comes from energy loss from drafty windows and doors. Why continue to waste money year-after-year? Keep the cold winter air outside by sealing any cracks and air leaks you notice in your home. Take time to inspect your windows and doors and take note of any areas you feel the air from outside, then seal the areas with caulk or weatherstripping. Your home will be draft-free in no time!
Upgrade Your Windows
While caulk might serve as a quick fix, it’s important to note that caulk does not adhere well in cold temperatures. For a long-term fix, you might consider replacing your windows and doors with energy efficient upgrades. Our windows and doors are installed with an airtight seal to virtually eliminate drafts, keeping your home comfortable no matter the season.
It’s also important to upgrade your windows if your existing windows are original to your home. Most builder-grade windows are single pane, the least energy efficient windows on the market. Consider replacing your windows with double or triple pane windows for an energy efficiency boost you’ll enjoy year-round. Our windows will help your HVAC system work smarter, not harder, to keep your energy bills low all winter long.
Upgrade Your Siding
Cold temperatures, high winds, and ice wreak havoc on your home’s exterior. Can your siding handle another winter? Before the temperatures drop, inspect your siding for any cracked panels or discoloration. If you notice any areas of concern, it might be time to upgrade your siding. Vinyl siding from Window Nation is built with premium energy efficiency features to keep your home comfortable all winter long. Our siding is also durable, built to withstand the harshest of weather conditions. Your home will be protected no matter the weather in your area.
Purchase a Generator
There’s nothing worse than losing power during a major winter storm. Inclement weather could keep the power company from restoring power for hours, or even days. Keep your home protected from power outages by purchasing a generator to serve as a back-up power source. Generators are particularly important if you or someone you live with is part of a vulnerable population, or if you live in a cold climate like Boston where the risk of hypothermia is increased.
Want to Winterize Your Home?
When you’re ready to start your home improvement project, schedule an estimate with one of our exterior design consultants. Our team will discuss your project with you and go over your options so you can find the best windows for your home. You’ll then receive a quote good for up to six months. Schedule your in-home estimate today at WindowNation.com.
