The summer season is coming to a close, but weather forecasts are showing a cold winter is coming—the brrr is back! Is your exterior ready to protect your home for the cold, snowy season?
You may have already faced high energy bills from the heat crisis last summer in New England. Now that another cold winter is on the way, it’s time to think about how to improve your home’s efficiency before the cold weather and winter energy bills arrive in mail. Let’s talk about what you can do to prepare for comfort and low energy bills.
Evaluate Window Condition and Performance
First, let’s take a look at your windows. It’s important to take note of the following since it will impact performance, resulting in drafts, high energy bills, and overall discomfort.
1. How old are your windows?
Our quality replacement windows last for life, but the competition might not offer the same value. It’s common for people to think Anderson or Pella are the best but their warranty barely covers 10 years depending on the option. Consider window replacement if your windows are between 10+ years old.
2. Are the interior and exterior frames in good condition?
Window frames can give clues about the age of your windows if you’re unsure. For example, old window frames may chip, peel, or even rot from moisture damage. You may even discover mold and mildew forming on old window frames. To check or wood rot, take a screwdriver and push it into the window frame. If it sinks into the frame, the wood is rotting and window replacement is imminent.
3. Did you have unexpectedly high energy bills this summer?
Air conditioning uses a significant amount of energy so naturally, energy bills will increase in the summertime. However, old windows can account for 25% of your home’s energy loss and this amounts to even higher energy bills than normal. And since energy bills were up 30% higher than normal this Summer, this can account for up to a 50% increase!
Make Sure Your Roof Is Optimal & Functioning
The next summer home maintenance tip is to look at the shape and condition of your roofing, which can also lead to leaks, energy loss, and even ice dams in the winter.
Your roof deck and roofing system are the backbone of your home— make sure you are protected! Your roof should be comprised of many important elements such as:
- Leak barrier: helps prevent leaks caused by wind-driven rain and ice dams
- Roof Deck Protection: shields the roof deck from moisture infiltration
- Starter Strip Shingles: guards against shingle blow-offs
- Shingles: keep out the elements, beautify & protect
- Attic Ventilation: reduces attic moisture and heat—lower energy bills!
- Ridge Cap Shingles: defends against leaks at the hips and ridges
4. Is there moss or algae growth on your roof?
Moss and algae growth is problematic. It leads to black streaks on your roof, which bring down the appearance of your curb appeal along with the home value. Furthermore, moss and algae can also eat away at the protective UV coating on your shingles.
5. Is your roof leaking?
Look for signs such as stained ceilings, condensation on the rafter beams, and even holes in the roof.
6. Is your attic ventilated?
Without proper ventilation for your roofing, you might run into the unpleasant surprise of ice dams in the winter. Ice dams form when the attic is too warm in the winter and snow melts off, forming into large chunks of ice (ice dams). As a reminder, your attic should be the same temperature as the outside.
Exterior Siding Evaluation
Our last category for summer home maintenance tips is for your exterior siding. Some house siding materials, such as wood, need regular maintenance to keep it looking beautiful. Without regular maintenance, you can run into problems such as wood rot, mold and mildew growth, and more. We also are replacing older melted vinyl siding along seeing siding with termite damage.
When it comes to maintaining your house siding, consider the following:
7. Are there any loose or missing siding shingles/panels?
Wood panels that aren’t securely attached provide an easy access point for moisture. Make it a priority to ensure that your exterior is properly covered by durable and moisture-resistant siding. If there are missing siding shingles, check for rot, termite damage and if there is any missing underlayment (aka house wrap) protecting your home from the elements.
8. Is your wood siding peeling, chipping, or rotting?
Other than Halloween, no home looks appealing when the siding is peeling, chipping, or rotting. In the worst cases of wood rot, your siding will crumble away with the touch of a finger. Try the screwdriver test if you can’t tell for sure if the wood is rotting.
9. Is your siding providing proper insulation?
Prepare for winter now and keep the heat where it belongs: inside your home.  Yes, your exterior siding can make a difference in your energy bills. This is especially true for insulated vinyl siding which is well-equipped to seal out the elements, prevent mold and moisture, and maintain a consistent indoor temperature. Heat escapes through the studs of your home’s walls, and our foam backed siding dramatically reduces thermal bridging- cutting down the energy you lose.
New vinyl siding replacement is a quality and easy solution for protecting your home through the seasons. Unlike wood, it doesn’t rot, chip, or fade away. Consider premium vinyl siding replacement in MA before old man winter makes his entrance.
You can also ride out the winter with beautiful James Hardie® fiber cement, coming equipped with HarideWrap® as the ultimate moisture barrier. Exceptionally engineered for New England’s climate, anything is possible with James Hardie®! We are a proud James Hardie® preferred contractor, bringing you all of the most popular hues and profiles at an awesome price.
Get Ready for Fall & Winter with Coastal Windows & Exteriors: See Your Home for FREE in 3D
We’re already booking up for fall projects. Don’t wait until the last minute! Contact us to see your home in 3D with your free in-home design consultation. Be sure to ask us about our STOCK options for windows, siding and roofing! Current promo & 0% financing offers are found HERE.
