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!

Lock In Your Home’s Heat

Everyone dreads the hike in energy bills once winter hits (and don’t even get us started on the cold drafts), but a few home improvement projects just may be the perfect solution!

We know what you’re thinking: “I’m trying to save money and home improvement projects cost money!” But when you invest in energy-efficiency now, you’ll see the savings add up down the road. Let’s take a look at a new of the things you can do:

Add Insulation

The most obvious way to keep your house warm in the winter (and even cool in the summer) is with insulation. When your home was built, there was some type of insulation installed, but we can add additional insulation to certain areas throughout your home.

For example, our insulated siding helps your walls perform 25% better than they would with regular siding! See this graphic of other ideas for where to insulate in your home.

Install Energy-Efficient Windows

Many people think that if they have double-pane (double-glazed) windows, they have the most energy-efficient windows on the market, but this may not be true. Older double-paned windows are less efficient than today’s! And today, we even offer triple paned windows!

Not only has the glass itself been improved, but so have the frames. Today, window frames are much more energy-efficient with an insulated core to keep the heat in and the cold out! And all of our windows are Energy Star approved, which means and warmer home and possible energy-efficiency tax credits!

Keep Drafts Out

Even with the most energy-efficient windows and doors, drafts can still cause a problem if they’re installed incorrectly.

Not only should you be thinking about drafts coming from exterior doors and windows, but also doors leading to unheated rooms or hallways. Find and fix drafts in your home to keep your house warmer all winter long.

Upgrade Old Entry Doors

Just as windows have improved in recent years, doors have gotten an upgrade as well, and we don’t just mean aesthetically (although our styles are constantly changing).

The same type of insulating technology that has been added to window frames has been incorporated into our doors. Wood and composite entry doors are designed with energy-efficiency as a number 1 priority. No matter which style of door you’re looking for, there is one out there for you that will help keep that cold winter air out of your home! 

Remember, even the most energy efficient doors aren’t going to make a difference if they aren’t installed properly. Keep drafts out with expert door installation. 

Make Your Sunroom Usable in the Winter

A sunroom can be such a great place to relax, but in the winter months these rooms can become unbearably cold — let’s fix that. Energy efficient glass can make a world of difference in any sunroom!

Don’t let the room go to waste for half of the year, let Aspen Home Improvements help get your sunroom in usable condition all year long.

If you’re thinking about replacing any windows in your home, now is the best time! Not only will your windows be in place before winter hits, but you’ll also save money with our fall sale!

Right now when you buy 4 windows you’ll get 1 window free. Contact Aspen today to find out more about our fall sale, and see what we can do to keep your home warm this winter!

Keep the Heat In and the Cold Out: How to Find & Fix Drafts

Before the cool weather finally decides to stick around for good in Central Pennsylvania, it’s a smart idea to make sure your windows and doors are ready! Did you know that if you add up the heat-loss from all the cracks and holes in the average home, it would add up to the equivalent of leaving 1 window open every day of the year. That’s a lot of wasted energy! Let’s fix this.

How to Find a Draft

When you’re trying to identify a draft, wait for a windy day and try these methods:

• Wet your fingers and move them along the cracks of your windows and doors. If you feel a cool breeze on your fingers, you’ve found the culprit.
•  Light a candle and move it along the window or door frame. If the flame flickers, that means that air is moving past.
• Close all your windows and turn off any appliances that may create a disturbance in the air. Light some incense and watch the movement of the smoke. If the smoke is either sucked out the frame or blown into the house, that’s where the draft is coming from.

Fixing a Draft

Now that you’ve identified your problem areas, it’s time to fix it. Here are 3 methods of solving a draft problem:

Draft Stopper: If the draft is coming in from the base of your window or door, one solution is to purchase a draft stopper. Draft stoppers can be purchased online or from local hardware stores. If you’re feeling crafty, try making your own draft stopper.

Image Source: Little House in the City

Weather Stripping: As an alternative option to the draft stopper, weather stripping can be installed. There are many online tutorials for installing weather stripping, or you can leave it to a professional, like Aspen Home Improvements.

Caulking: For drafts coming through the side of a window or door, caulking is a great option. When fixing indoor areas try clear caulking for the best look. Once the caulk has dried, use one of the 3 testing options again to make sure the problem has been fixed.

Replacing: If none of these options seem like the right solution to your problem, you may need a new window or door installed.

• If you have wooden widows, they’re likely to deteriorate over time if they’re not maintained properly with sealing and painting. Aspen has a wide variety of high performance windows to choose from to help you save even more energy.
• Does your home have sliding doors? The life span of these types of doors is typically 10-15 years, if your past this point, replacing them might be necessary. Choose from Aspen’s selection of doors that can be quickly installed in your home.

Looking for more ways to prepare your home for winter? See our last blog.

Be Prepared for Colder Weather

Fall is creeping up on us; the official start is September 23rd, which means cold winter weather is sure to follow! It’s time to prepare for the winter season and get our homes in shape to help us bare the colder temperatures.

Let us help you figure out what needs to be done with this quick checklist to prepare your home for winter:

• Keep your feet warm with cork or carpeting: No one likes waking up and walking on a cold hard floor in the winter. Try swapping out tile floors for cork. A sustainable and green flooring option, cork can help keep the floors warm and still look beautiful. Another option is carpeting, which can turn any room into a cozy space.

• Check your exterior for peeling paint: Peeling or blistering paint is an indication that your home’s current paint is no longer protecting the siding. To prevent deterioration, repaint your home’s exterior before winter arrives. If you need any repairs, we can help fix your home’s existing siding, and if your siding is at “the point of no return,” you might want to think about replacing it before snowfall arrives. Find out more about the siding we offer and our siding repair and replacement services around Central, PA.

• Service your heating system: It’s probably been a while since you’ve used your heater, so it’s a good idea to have it looked at before the winter arrives. You don’t want to be stuck in the cold waiting for a repairman to arrive, prevent this by preparing and getting it serviced ahead of time!

• Caulk your window: For under $5 you can help keep the heat from escaping your home on those cold winter nights. Along with keeping you warm, caulking can help keep water from getting into openings around the window frame, freezing, and causing cracking to occur. If you’d like even more energy efficiency from your windows, check out Aspen Home Improvement’s selection of Energy Star windows.

• Inspect your roof: Loose or missing shingles can cause a big problem with the changing temperatures and snowfall. Your roof is meant to protect your home, make sure it can do it’s job by maintaining it before winter comes. If you need help with your shingles, our Lancaster roofers are here. From repairs to roof replacements, contact us for a free roofing estimate.

Make sure you’re ready before winter hits; it’s coming up fast. And remember to get outside and enjoy the warm weather while you can!