Winter is Coming: Are Your Windows & Doors Ready to Weather the Cold?

Winter is Coming…

Here in the Southeast, summer was reluctant to give way to fall once the calendar flipped to September 22 this year. Pleasant-to-warm conditions lingered right through October, and we’ve even seen some temperatures in the upper 70s this November. But that’s all about to change. Overnight freezing temps are now popping up in the 10-day forecast for parts of North Carolina & Virginia, and we’re not even to Thanksgiving yet. One thing if for certain – winter is definitely coming soon!

…Time to Check Your Windows & Doors!

Are your windows ready to help you brace for the winter chill? It’s coming whether you’re ready or not; better to be ready! Before the cold arrives, now is the perfect opportunity to take a look at your home’s windows and exterior doors to see how they’re performing. Here are a few tips to help you get ready for whatever winter 2021-2022 decides to bring, and be prepared not to have to overspend on your heating bills.

• Feel for Drafts

It’s been said of 7-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt that he could “see” the air around other cars when racing on superspeedways, because he was such a master of the draft. But you don’t need to be able to see the drafts around your windows and doors in order to detect them. If the air is noticeably cooler near a window or door – or you can actually feel air moving around it – there’s a good chance you’ve got some tiny gaps and cracks around your frame.

• Check Your Caulking & Weatherstripping

The weatherstripping, caulking, or other sealants around your windows serves to help maintain a barrier for both air and moisture, and is essential for energy efficiency. Any cracks or missing portions of sealant should definitely be addressed. In many cases, some fresh caulk or weatherstripping may be all that’s needed to seal those gaps and prevent your existing windows or doors from letting any cold air leak in. Make sure to pay special attention to corners and any areas between your windows.

• Got Wood? Inspect Your Window & Door Frames

Wood-framed windows and doors are beautiful, but they also require more regular maintenance than vinyl or metal frames. But no matter what type of frame material you’ve got, take the time to inspect both the exterior and interior faces for any cracking, peeling, or other problem issues. Depending upon what you find, you may need to fill some cracks or do a little refinishing.

• Check the Alignment

This one might sound a little weird if your windows and doors seemed to fit fine whenever they were first put in. They should still fit now, right? Hopefully yes, but the nature of our Southeastern climate involves lots of temperature and humidity swings as the seasons’ progress. Over time, the fit of your windows and doors can actually change, due to weather exposure, regular wear-and-tear from usage, and any settling of your building. A bad window or door fit will result in poor performance in terms of both operability and energy efficiency. Frames that are significantly warped, sagging, or misaligned will need to be repaired or replaced.

• Consider an Energy-Efficient Replacement

If a window replacement is in order, choosing to replace your older, single-pane windows with modern double-pane or triple-pane windows can save you a considerable amount of money on your energy bills. Double-pane or triple-pane windows provide much more insulation value, so there’s much less opportunity for your climate-controlled air to escape. The same goes for replacing an older exterior door, too. Depending on how long it’s been since your original doors were installed, there are likely some MUCH more energy-efficient products available today.

• Install Some Storm Windows & Storm Doors

If you don’t feel your original windows and doors need replacing just yet, there’s something else you can do to protect your home and improve its energy efficiency – have some storm windows and storm doors installed. Much as the name would suggest, storm windows and storm doors help protect your home during significant weather events. They’re also valuable to have thanks to the extra layer of insulation they provide, helping to boost your home’s level of energy efficiency.

Skywalker is Here to Serve Your Window & Door Replacement Needs in NC & VA

While it’s smart to inspect your windows and doors yourself on a regular basis, you may not be equipped to handle your own windows repair, windows replacement, or exterior door replacement needs. Need a good, local windows contractor or exterior doors contractor that serves North Carolina and Virginia? You’ve found one at Skywalker Windows & Siding! If you’re located anywhere in our extended NC and VA service area, we’d be glad to provide you with a FREE home (or business) inspection and consultation. We’ll sit down with you, take time to listen, and then share our objective findings and recommendations about your situation. We’re here to help you find the best solution that will meet both your needs AND your budget.

You may be familiar with us as Skywalker Roofing, but our Skywalker Windows & Siding team is also here to provide plenty of other valuable home or business improvement services, including windows, siding, custom gutters, and much more! Simply put, whenever it comes to your building exterior service needs, Skywalker is the name you can trust!

We’re proud to serve the NC Piedmont Triad, NC Piedmont Triangle, Lake Norman area, and southwestern VA area, including Roanoke. And NOBODY sets the bar higher in terms of workmanship, professionalism, and personalized customer service! Give us a call today at (336) 627-5596, and experience the Skywalker difference!