Ten Best Ways to Prepare Your Home Exterior for Cold Winter Nights and Save Money

The weather is getting colder, and the leaves are changing colors. With winter approaching, you’ll want to ensure your home exterior is ready to face the cold, snow and ice. Here are some tips to prepare your home for winter and ensure you feel comfortable and save money during long, cold winter evenings.

Winterize your home and reduce costs with these 10 tips

Use the tips below to winterize your home and keep your home comfortable during winter.

1 Insulate your attic

Insulating your attic is one of the best ways to save money on heating bills. It will also make your home much more comfortable, as it will help keep heat inside and prevent it from escaping through the attic.  It also helps prevent icicles from forming. If you don’t have enough insulation, it’s time to add some. We recommend R30.

2 Make sure the siding is well-attached and sealed

Siding is one of the essential parts of your home. It should be well-attached to the rest of your house and adequately sealed to prevent air from getting in or out. If there are any gaps or holes in your siding, this can cause problems with heating and cooling costs.

If your siding is loose, it will let air and moisture inside, causing mold to grow on your walls and leading to other problems that are hard to fix. The best way to prevent this problem is by making sure the siding is well-attached before winter hits.

3 Weatherstrip doors and windows

Weatherstrip doors and windows to make them more energy efficient and save money on heating bills.

4 Repair exterior wood

Repair or replace any exterior wood that is rotting or damaged, as this can lead to issues with your home’s energy efficiency and structural integrity. You can use a caulk gun or silicone-based caulks to fill cracks and gaps in the walls.  Sometimes it is best to wrap wood in damp areas with vinyl siding.

5 Clean the chimney

Clean the chimney to remove any soot or creosote that builds up over time. As a result, your fireplace will run more efficiently, and you’ll reduce the risk of a fire. Make sure the fireplace is not drafty when not in use.  If it is,  seal the cracks with the right fire safe grout.

6 Keep your roof free from snow

In the winter, keep your roof free from snow. It can weigh down on roofs and make them more likely to collapse. In addition, ice dams can form on your roof, leading to flooding in your basement or crawlspace.  Purchase an ice rake and keep the bottom edges of your roof no deeper than 6 inches.  If you can’t reach,  contract with a professional so it’s done regularly.

7 Inspect exterior vents

Inspect your home’s exterior vents to ensure that they are not blocked by debris or clogged with snow, which can prevent airflow from entering and exiting the house.

8 Install storm windows

Install storm windows to keep heat from escaping through glass panes during cold weather. If you don’t have glass storm windows, it is helpful to install vinyl or plastic over the windows on the inside to provide insulation and prevent drafts.

9 Clean the gutters

Cleaning your gutters can help prevent ice dams from forming. Water that freezes in your gutters flows down to the end of the roof, where it will begin to build up and create a dam. If you have a gutter clogged with debris, clean it before winter starts so that water can drain properly.

10 Professionally clean the roof

Cleaning your roof is an excellent way to prevent damage and prepare your home for winter. If your roof is dirty, it can lead to water runoff that could cause ice dams. In addition, dirt and debris can fall from your roof during heavy snowfall or high winds, which can cause further damage to the shingles. Therefore, have your roof professionally cleaned before winter begins.

Final Thoughts to Consider for Your Winter Home Preparation

Although these items are not usually on the weekend fun list,  it will be time well spent when you are more comfortable during those cold winter nights.  Winterizing your home will also save you money on energy costs.

Contact our team today if you have questions about winterizing your home’s roofing, siding, ventilation and insulation.