Home Improvement Upgrades for a Greener Home

Earth Day is this Friday – the day dedicated to bringing awareness to environmental protection! Many people go out and plant trees on Earth Day, others pick up trash in a local park, but we think a little closer to home.

There are many things you can do to and within your home to go green and stay green year-round. Bonus: not only will you be helping to save the environment, but you’ll save a little cash too!

Going green in your home is all about saving energy. In the US, the most common source of energy is coal, which is also the single largest source of pollution. Each year, coal plants release 4 million tons of CO2 into the air—the equivalent of cutting down 161 million trees! By using energy-efficient products in your home, you can help cut the amount of energy you use every single day.

Here are just some of the home improvement projects that will help your home become a green home:

Energy-Efficient Windows

What contributes the most to your electricity bill? If you’re like most people, the answer is heating and cooling. One of the best things you can do to reduce your heating and cooling costs is to replace old windows with energy-efficient windows. You can save 45% on your heating and cooling just by replacing your old windows!

Energy-efficient windows will help keep the heat out during the summer and, vice versa, won’t let the heat escape during the cold winter months. New windows can do so much for a home! They are one of the first things we recommend updating in any home improvement project.

Green Up Your Entry Door

While a green door would make quite the statement, we’re not talking about colors here. Update your entry door to a stylish and energy-efficient door! Whether you’re searching for wood, glass panel, fiberglass, or steel, there are a variety of energy-efficient entry doors to choose from.

Learn how to choose the perfect entry door for your home today.

Siding That Does Double Duty

Siding is meant to protect the walls of your home, but insulated siding also helps insulate your home to keep the heat in during the winter and out during the summer months. Updating to insulated siding can help you save as much a 20% on your energy bill!

Looking for more tips on how to go-green around your home this Earth Day? Check out these tips for an environmentally friendly remodel. Or get started on your way to saving energy (and money!) with a free estimate from one of our home improvement specialists! 

Roofing FAQs – All Your Questions Answered

We get a lot of questions when it comes to roofing, especially around springtime when the snow has all finally melted away and we can actually see our roofs. So, here is a list of our most frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you out!

Does a leaking roof have to be replaced?

Not necessarily. In many cases, a leaking roof is a sign that your flashing (the stripping along edges where your roof meets a wall or chimney) is not doing it’s job. If it’s just the flashing that’s causing your roof to leak, there’s no need to replace your roof - a simple repair will do!

If the leak is contained to one small area, the damage may be able to be patched up and repaired without doing a complete roof replacement.

If you need help figuring out what’s causing the leak in your roof, our professional roofers can help! Contact us to talk to a home improvement specialist.

See our 5 signs that you need a roof replacement.

When is the best time to make repairs to a roof?

As soon as you notice the damage! The sooner you make repairs, the less likely it will grow into a bigger problem. We recommend tackling roofing projects in weather above freezing—when it’s below 32ºF, shingles can become brittle and difficult to work with.

When is the best time to replace a roof?

Many people put off replacing their roof until fall when winter is just around the corner and they’re starting to think about the snow that will be piling on soon. But we recommend spring as the best time to replace your roof – although we have expert roofers that work year-round on roofing replacement projects!

What qualities should I look for in a roofing contractor?

There are 4 main factors that you should look out for when hiring a roofing contractor: insurance, licenses, guaranties/warranties (on both materials and labor), and references.

You should also make sure that you feel you can communicate clearly with your contractor every step of the way.

What can I do to help prolong the look and quality of my roof?

A new roof is a pretty big investment, so you want it to last as long as possible! At Aspen Home Improvements, we offer Scotchgard Protector on every roof we install to help keep your roof looking new and in great condition for longer. Scotchgard Protector helps to prevent against algae growth (which causes those terrible dark streaks on shingles) and works on any roof.

Do you have any additional questions about roofing or roof replacements? Contact our team today!  

Spring Savings on Replacement Windows

It is officially Spring! It’s that wonderful time of year when we can finally open our home’s windows, let the fresh air in, and bask in the warm spring sun.

For some of us, this time of the year means the dreaded (but usually much needed) spring cleaning. But don’t let the thought of spring cleaning stress you out. Tackle one project at a time, starting with your windows!

Throughout the winter, windows can get dirty and foggy, but a quick cleaning can usually fix that right up and you will have a great view of those beautiful blooming flowers in no time! Check out our window cleaning tips to get the perfect spotless window! 

For others, simply cleaning your windows isn’t going to do the trick. No window lasts forever—it may be time for new replacement windows! Spring is a great time to look into replacing your windows. Do you have difficulty opening your windows properly? Or do you have trouble closing them completely? These are signs it’s time for a replacement!

Another good reason that spring is the perfect time to replace your windows: Spring Savings with Aspen Home Improvements! Right now when you use the code SPRINGAHEAD you’ll save 10% on replacement windows!

Start your spring off right with new windows that really allow you to enjoy the great weather and let the warm sunshine in! Talk to us at our Pennsylvania or Maryland locations to learn more and get started!

Window Installation: What Happens to My Old Windows?

Are you getting new windows installed soon? You might be asking yourself: what do I do with my old windows?

Most homeowners have no need for old windows once their new ones are installed, although DIYers have thought up some pretty creative uses for old windows. But what happens if you don’t have any use for them? What should you do with these unwanted old windows?

There’s no need to do any research on what to with your old windows if you hired Aspen Home Improvements for your window replacement! We will make your life easy. When you replace your windows with Aspen, we’ll haul away your old windows for you!

Once your windows are installed, the only thing you will have to think about is sitting back and enjoying the beautiful view from our award-winning windows!

Are you thinking about upgrading your old windows soon? Contact us today for a Free Estimate! One of our home improvement specialists will give you a quote and work with you to plan your window replacement project.

Preparing Your Home for an Installation Project

So you’ve decided to update your home’s windows or doors. Next, you’ve chosen the style that you want and scheduled the installation. What comes next?

It’s time to start prepping your home for the installation! Whether you’re replacing your old windows with better quality energy-efficient windows or updating to a stylish new entry door, follow these installation prep tips to make the process go more smoothly:

Move it Away

Make your contractors’ life easier by moving furniture away from the space where there will be work done. Have a couch in front of the window? Move it over to the other side of the room for the duration of the installation to clear the work area. 

Don’t forget about the space outdoors! If you have any furniture near an entry or patio door, move it to the other side of your porch or deck or clear it off completely during the installation. 

Take it Down

Are the contractors installing a window? Don’t forget about the window treatments! Take down any blinds or curtains that will get in the way while your windows are being replaced. This even includes any artwork or picture frames hanging on the walls as well! Our contractors make the effort to be extremely careful, but you don't want to risk your personal items being damaged in the process.

Not sure if everything surrounding the area needs to be taken down? Contact us and ask!

Lay it Down

Although most contractors will do their best to leave your home as clean as they arrived by putting down drop cloths in the work areas, you could be extra cautious by laying down your own first.

Note: If our installers have to move any furniture or window and door treatments, you will be charged an additional $10.00 per opening. If they must disassemble any items to move them from the area, you will be charged $10.00 for every item that they have to reassemble. We are not responsible for any damage that occurs to items that need to be cleared. 

Preparing your home for your scheduled installation not only makes the process go much faster for our contractors, but it will give you a greater peace of mind to know that your belongings are out of the way and put into a safe place.

Thinking of taking the steps to schedule an installation soon? Contact our team today for a Free Estimate!

Home Improvement Projects Perfect for Winter

Winter isn’t usually seen as a good time for taking on home improvement projects, but it can be if you know which project to tackle! Yes, there are some home improvement tasks that will have to wait until spring arrives, but there are some that you can start on now so you can focus on those bigger projects once the warm weather rolls in.

Painting

Painting isn’t something that people typically see as an option during the winter. If you keep your windows open to let the fumes out, you’ll freeze right? Not anymore! New low VOC paints (volatile organic compounds) don’t give off the same fumes that other paints do. This means painting in the winter without those terrible headaches from the smell is possible.

Update Lighting Fixtures

Are your lighting fixtures or ceiling fans starting to look a bit dated? Take the opportunity this winter to update them! The only time you’ll have to step out into the cold for this home improvement task is walking from your car to the store to pick up your new fixtures.

While you’re at it, does your home lighting use any dimmer switches? Consider switching out your old light switches for dimmer switches. Get that movie theater feel in your own living room by lowering the lights (and not sitting in a pitch-black room). Dimmers help to save money on electricity costs!

Replace Doors

While most people choose to replace their entry doors and patio doors during the spring or summer, it can really be done any time of the year! Professionals, like the team at Aspen Home Improvements, can get your new doors installed so quickly you’ll barely even notice the cold!

Replace Windows

Replacing windows is yet another home improvement project people think needs to be done in the summer. When you hire a professional that has experience in window replacement, that old window will be out and the new one in before your home’s temperature even drops one degree!

Need a good reason to replace your windows in the winter? Almost zero wait-time. Since everyone waits until the summer to tackle this, your window replacement appointment could be scheduled much faster than in the warmer months!

You’re probably wondering, are home improvement companies REALLY open in the winter? AspenHome Improvements is open year-round to help you accomplish all your exterior projects! Contact us today to schedule a Free Estimate!

Celebrate Groundhog Day with Savings

We all know the Groundhog Day tradition; if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow then we get 6 more weeks of winter (boo!), but if he doesn’t then there will be any early spring (hooray!).

Well, this morning Phil came out of his hole and did not see his shadow! We’re so excited to say goodbye to winter that we thought we’d celebrate by passing some spring-time savings on to you!

Get ready for spring, sunshine, and warmer weather with 10% off all patio door services at Aspen Home Improvements!

Do you currently have a sliding glass door that just doesn’t work quite like it used to anymore? Do you just need a fresh start for a new season and want to upgrade your door to one of our elegant designs?

Our products are a great place to start! Look here to see our great selection of high quality doors that you can choose from. We will guarantee that you will find one that is right for your home!

What better way to enjoy the upcoming spring weather than with a new patio door to let the light in? Lock in your 10% savings when you use code “Groundhog” online at AspenWindows.com. But don’t wait – these savings won’t be around long!