A winter storm advisory means it’s time to stay cozy indoors with a cup of hot cocoa. But if your home’s exterior isn’t on point for winter protection, you’ll spend more time tending to leaks and ice dams than sipping on a hot beverage. According to the Farmers 2024 winter prediction, New England is going through a “Wet Winter Whirlwind,” bringing relentless storms with little room to recover. And with the winter forecast in New England on your mind, it’s time to turn your attention to storm season safety.
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Exterior upgrades for storm safety season protect your family from the worst of winter weather. Let’s take a look at how your exterior stacks up to the ever-important storm season safety during New England winters.
How Does the Storm Season Affect Your New England Home?
Heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and intense winds wreak havoc on homes, causing damage that can be both immediate and long-term. Preparing your home’s exterior for these threats can increase safety, prevent costly repairs, and help maintain a warm, secure environment.
Roof Damage and Ice Dams
What happens to your housetop during storm season? Heavy snow accumulation can cause roofs to sag or even collapse, especially if shingles are already weak or missing. Remember Snowmageddon? We sure do!
Ice dams form when warm air escapes through an uninsulated attic, melting snow that refreezes along roof edges. This leads to leaks, mold, and severe structural damage.
Siding and Exterior Wall Damage
Freezing rain and strong winds turn your home’s siding into the first line of defense against the storm. Cheap or outdated siding can crack, warp, or allow moisture to seep into the walls, leading to insulation failure and water damage. James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding and Solid Core Siding® offer superior protection against impact and extreme weather conditions, ensuring your home remains sealed and insulated.
Gutter and Drainage System Failures
Blocked or frozen gutters prevent proper drainage, causing ice buildup that leads to leaks and foundation issues. When gutters overflow, water seeps under shingles and behind siding, increasing the risk of mold growth and rot.
Wind Damage and Flying Debris
Blizzards and Nor’easters bring intense wind gusts that rip shingles from the roof, dislodge siding panels, and send tree branches crashing into homes. Starter Strip Shingles and Hip and Ridge Cap Shingles add reinforcement to high-stress points, ensuring roofing materials stay in place even under the harshest wind conditions.
Protect Your Home for Storm Season with Coastal Windows & Exteriors
Storm season safety starts with expert home improvements. Coastal Windows & Exteriors is the #1 woman-owned exterior remodeling company in New England, a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor, and a James Hardie Service Excellence Award Winner. Protect your home from the elements with top-tier roofing, windows, and siding built to handle the toughest weather.
See some of our New England exterior upgrades that provide plenty of storm season protection:
- Window Installation in Swampscott, MA
- James Hardie Siding Installation in Kingston, MA
- James Hardie Siding Installation in Cambridge, MA
- Front Door Installation in Duxbury, MA
- James Hardie Siding Installation in Beverly, MA
- Window Installation in Fitchburg, MA
Winter storms won’t wait—neither should you! Call today for your free estimate.
Storm Season Safety: Roof Snow Load and Ice Dam Protection
A solid roof stands between you and the harshest winter weather. With the right materials and expert installation, your roof fights back against extreme cold and heavy precipitation:
- Ventilation systems regulate attic temperature, reducing ice dam formation.
- Impact-resistant shingles handle high winds and heavy snowfall with ease.
- Waterproof underlayment blocks leaks from melting ice and snow buildup.
How to Prevent Ice Dams and Protect Against Winter Storms
Worried about storm season safety when it comes to your roof? Energy efficient engineering keeps attic temperatures stable, preventing heat from melting snow unevenly during storm season. For example, a 6-layer GAF roofing system safeguards your home with the following design:
- Cobra Attic Ventilation maintains airflow, lowering energy costs and preventing mold and mildew. This ventilation reduces attic heat buildup, a major cause of ice dams.
- Leak Barrier Protection acts as an invisible shield, blocking water from wind-driven rain and melting snow.
- Roof Deck Protection prevents moisture infiltration, helping shingles lay flat while defending against mold and structural damage.
- Starter Strip Shingles reinforce roof edges, preventing wind-driven rain from sneaking underneath and weakening the roofing system.
- Hip and Ridge Cap Shingles add the finishing touch, preventing leaks at the roof’s highest stress points and protecting against algae growth.
A GAF-certified roofing system gives your home the power to resist extreme weather. Winter-ready roofs stop damage before it starts, keeping you safe and saving you money! And if you’re wondering ‘can you replace a roof in winter?’, the answer is yes!
Is Snow Too Heavy for Your Roof?
Snow can be surprisingly heavy, with 12 inches of light, fluffy snow weighing 5.2 pounds and 5 inches of wet snow weighing 12.5 pounds. The weight of snow on a roof is called snow load and is calculated differently for flat and pitched roofs.
Flat roofs are measured with a yardstick and the average snowfall is multiplied by the weight of one cubic foot of snow and the square footage of the house. Pitched roofs are more complicated and require knowing the pitch of the roof and the expected snowfall.
Most residential roofs can withstand 20-25 pounds of snow per square foot before becoming stressed, and signs of stress include cracks, sagging, and doors sticking. If you’re worried about your roof, contact us at Coastal Windows & Exteriors for a free inspection!
Do You Need a New Roof? We Install in the Winter!
A failing roof doesn’t just weaken your home—it drains your energy bills too. Stay ahead of storm damage by spotting these warning signs:
- Gaps in flashing around vents and chimneys allow moisture to seep in.
- Attic condensation invites mold growth and ice dam formation.
- Ceiling stains or sagging drywall signal water leaks.
- Ice dams forming along roof edges mean heat is escaping where it shouldn’t.
If you worry about your roof’s performance, give us a call at Coastal Windows & Exteriors. As GAF Master Elite roofing contractors, you can count on us for quality installation that stands up to relentless winter weather.
Stop Cold, Icy Air from Entering Your Home
Another important aspect of storm season safety involves your home’s winters. Windows should fight the freeze—not welcome it inside! Poorly insulated windows invite drafts, forcing heating systems to work overtime. The right window upgrades make a world of difference when it comes to battling winter’s bite.
How Winter Storm-Ready Windows Provide Protection
Windows built for winter block out biting winds and icy chills. High-performance materials prevent frost buildup and keep interior temperatures stable:
- Double or triple-pane glass with gas fills eliminates heat loss and frost buildup.
- Low-E coatings reflect indoor warmth, reducing energy waste.
- Foam-insulated frames form a barrier against sneaky cold drafts.
How to Seal Drafty Windows for Winter
Temporary fixes help, but nothing beats the long-term power of energy-efficient windows! However, we have some quick-fix tips to show you how to seal drafty windows for winter:
- Install weatherstripping to block air leaks around frames.
- Use thermal curtains to add a layer of insulation.
- Apply caulk to small gaps for an airtight seal against drafts.
Sealing outdated windows provides short-term relief, but replacing them ensures long-term warmth. Installing windows in the winter works smoothly with expert crews. If your windows fog between panes, won’t shut properly, or feel icy, insulating windows for the winter with top-tier replacements protects your home from winter’s worst.
Insulate and Prevent Heat Loss with Siding Replacement
Can you count on your home’s siding to protect your home during storm season? Siding is your home’s armor, blocking out winter’s wrath. Without insulation, walls lose 35% of heating energy through thermal bridging! Winter proof your home with foam-backed vinyl siding that keeps heat inside while shutting out freezing air. Durable siding creates a weather-tight barrier, shielding your home from ice, wind, and driving rain.
How Storm-Resistant Siding Protects Your Home
Strengthen your home’s defenses with insulated siding! This upgrade adds an extra layer of protection against Mother Nature’s fiercest storms:
- Solid Core Siding® resists heavy impacts, offering superior durability against winter’s harshest conditions.
- Insulating Thermal Protection reduces thermal bridging, leading to consistent indoor temperatures and lower heating costs.
- James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding provides fire-resistant, weatherproof protection built to withstand extreme New England conditions.
- Hardie® Weather Barrier acts as a moisture-proof layer, preventing damage from rain, snow, and ice buildup.
- Impact-resistant panels stand up to howling winds and airborne debris.
- Seamless waterproofing stops moisture before it can cause damage.
Is Your Siding Storm-Ready?
Be sure to check your siding’s condition. Small vulnerabilities can lead to costly energy loss and storm damage:
- No cracks, warping, or gaps that let freezing air sneak inside.
- Triple-sealed seams that prevent leaks and moisture intrusion.
- House wrap beneath siding that adds another layer of protection.
Storm-Proofing Beyond Exterior Remodeling
Exterior upgrades shield your home, but extra precautions provide even greater safety! Small proactive steps keep you and your family prepared:
- Stock up on emergency supplies like flashlights, batteries, and a generator.
- Service your heating system to maintain peak performance all winter.
- Trim overhanging branches to prevent falling limbs from damaging your roof.
Looking to add storm protection to your New England home? Call today for an estimate and secure your home before the next big storm!
