3 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Home’s Exterior for Winter

It’s been amazing that the weather has stayed warm for so long this year but now that it’s November, I promise the cold is coming. While for most of us that means pulling out the scarves and mittens and winter jackets, for those of us who are homeowners it should mean taking inventory of the exterior of our home and making sure that it’s prepared for the coming winter months. Living in the mountains of NC, I know that when the cold comes, it’s here to stay. I’ll admit that I didn’t grow up on this side of the state and I didn’t worry as much about cold weather when I was younger. But now that I’ve become a mountain mama, I want to ensure that my little mountain abode stays nice and toasty all winter long. Like most of us, I have good intentions to make sure my home’s exterior is ready for winter. However, I’m not a do-it-yourself type of gal and I generally leave the house maintenance duties to my hubby. But this year, I decided to learn a little more about how to prepare the exterior of my home for freezing temperatures. While there are tons of things that any homeowner can do, I found that three areas are really the most important; your siding, your roof and your doors/windows. Read on for a quick crash course on what you should be doing NOW (before those freezing temperatures) to ensure your home’s exterior will keep you warm in the coming months.

When it comes to the exterior of my home, I feel like there are really three important aspects to look at. So, let’s break them down. Then I’ll tell you the easiest (and best) way to make sure your home’s exterior is winter ready.

Take a Look at Your Siding

I like to think of my home’s siding kind of like its jacket. Much like a person, if you have a good, insulated jacket you’re likely to stay warm. If you have on a thin or hole-filled jacket….well, you know it’s gonna be a long cold winter! While I, personally, want my siding to look pretty, I also want it to keep my family warm. We’ve lived in a variety of homes that have a variety of types of siding and, in my opinion, there are two things to look at when choosing the siding you want for you home.

First, no matter what siding you choose, make sure you have good insulation! This can be the difference between a home being warm….or not! Plus, it can help with heating bills. If you’re unsure about where to start, try insulated vinyl siding from Sears Home Services that can improve energy efficiency through the home. As an added bonus, choosing this type of insulated siding may qualify for energy efficiency programs, like the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes standard. That’s a total win/win isn’t it?

Second, look at what fits the look and feel of your home. While we all know that cost is important, I’ve yet to meet a homeowner who doesn’t want their home to look great! Thankfully, there are tons of options but one of the most popular ones is vinyl siding. With the ability to choose from popular colors and the low-maintenance benefits of vinyl siding, it’s a perfect choice to help keep your home warm while also keeping it looking great!

So how do you know if it’s time to consider changing your siding?

While knowing about the benefits of choosing siding is important, how do you know when you should replace or upgrade your siding? That’s a question I was asking myself and according to the Sears Home Services Blog, it’s actually as easy as looking for signs of rotting, warping, cracking, holes from insects or birds, high energy bills or interior moisture. So go take a look around your homes exterior and take inventory of any of the signs. If you see even one, you may want to consider upgrading your siding now before winter comes and Sears Home Services can help you do it! With Weatherbeater siding options that are low-cost and a qualified team that can help you make the right choices, you’ve got everything you need to make sure your siding is winter ready! Even better, right now you can save $500 on siding purchase of $1500 or more from Sears Home Services (Offer expires 2/2/19; Not valid on prior sales or in combination with any other offer. Purchase requirement before taxes and after other discounts and must be made in a single transaction).

So, are you ready to look at replacing your siding? Do it today and schedule a FREE in-home consultation with Sears Home Services!

Inspect Your Roof

When the hubs mentioned that we need to pay attention to our roof, I looked at him like he was crazy. I figured as long as it was on top of the house and keeping the rain and snow out we were all good, right? Wrong! Much like I think of my home’s siding as a coat, the roof is kinda like its toboggan. On average a roof lasts for about 20 to 25 years but it can need to be replaced much sooner for things like hail damage, poor attic ventilation, low-quality roofing materials or poor roof installation. This was especially concerning to me with all the crazy storms we’ve had lately but trust me when I say I wasn’t climbing up on the roof to check it out.

Since our home is was built in 1997, I started worrying that perhaps it wasn’t doing as good of a job keeping us warm as it should. When we need a new roof (which I get the feeling is going to be soon), Sears Home Services has ENERGY STAR-certified options that will help us ensure our home stays as warm as possible without huge heating costs.

While (thankfully) our roof is still in OK condition and might see us through a few more winters, Sears Home Services gives me peace of mind that when we start to see granulation, spotty shingle coverage, rust, moss or cracked caulk I know exactly who to call! If you’re already experiencing any of these problems or just think that you may need a new roof now, it’s a great time to act before the temperatures drop and schedule a free in-home consultation with Sears Home Services. Right now, you can also save $500 on roofing purchases of $1500 or more. (Offer expires 2/2/19; Not valid on prior sales or in combination with any other offer. Purchase requirement before taxes and after other discounts and must be made in a single transaction).

If you think it’s time to replace your roof, schedule your FREE in-home roof consultation with Sears Home Services!

Check Your Windows and Doors

While the siding and roofing of your home are the biggest causes of poor insulation and high energy bills, don’t forget to also do the simple task of checking your windows and doors. Fall is a perfect time to replace insulation or caulk any areas of your windows that are letting air in. Finding problems can be as simple as running your hand around the doors and windows to feel for air blowing through. And, if you need to replace your windows or doors, Sears Home Services can help you with that, too. Schedule a free in-home consultation now and you can save (Get up to 18 months no interest financing available on home improvement purchases over $1,500. Offer good through 2/2/19).

By checking and making any necessary repairs to these three exterior areas of my home, I’m ensuring now (before the freezing temperatures arrive) that my home will be toasty and warm this winter. While I may not make every decision about my house perfectly, I feel confident that with my keen eye for issues and the knowledge I’ve gotten from Sears Home Services, I’ve got everything I need to prepare my home’s exterior for winter. Here are some good articles from Sears Home Services’ Knowledge Center you can check out if you want to learn more.

Now, I encourage you to do the same. Start by taking an inventory of the outside of your home. Then, schedule your FREE in-home consultation with Sears Home Services today!

Now tell me, have you taken inventory of your home’s exterior to make sure you’re ready for winter?