Winter is coming, and it’s time to start preparing for the cold. If you’re not ready, your home can be a drafty nightmare that doesn’t keep the temperature regulated. Fortunately, there are easy ways to improve insulation in your home that don’t require major work or money. Here are four ways to improve your home insulation this winter.
Seal Leaks and Cracks
The first step to better insulation is to seal any leaks or cracks in your home. These openings can let cold air in and warm air out, which can seriously impact your home’s heating efficiency. You can seal leaks and cracks with caulk, weather-stripping, or expanding foam. This can be a challenge when it comes to sealing around windows or doors, but it’s well worth the effort. It is advisable to contact professional roofing contractors when it comes to repairing or replacing roofs and other exterior features of your home.
Install Storm Windows and Doors
If you’re having trouble sealing leaks and cracks, installing storm windows and doors may be a better solution. Storm windows and doors are designed to keep out the cold air and wind, which can help improve your home’s insulation. Plus, they don’t require much work to install. Storm windows generally go on top of existing windows and can be installed from the inside. In contrast, storm doors are placed in front of your home’s exterior doors and can be installed from either side.
Add Insulation to Attics, Crawl Spaces, and Basements
Adding insulation to your attic, crawl space, or basement is another way you can improve the insulation in your home this winter. To do this yourself, look for a type of insulation that matches your climate zone’s specifications. You should also pay close attention to any materials used for framing as those will impact how much insulation you can fit in those spaces. For instance, if you have an unfinished attic, adding insulation can give you more options of how to finish it. Plus, every extra bit of insulation helps protect your home during the winter.
Get New Windows
New windows are an investment that will pay off for years to come by increasing your home’s energy efficiency and preserving its resale value. However, replacement windows aren’t cheap, but the costs vary depending on what type of window material you choose. For example, vinyl windows tend to cost less than wood or fiberglass models while also providing more efficient insulation. Another factor is single-pane vs double-pane glass for each window frame in your house- the latter usually offers greater resistance to heat transfer than the former does.
Winter is coming, and there’s no better time than now to start thinking about getting your home ready for the cold. If you’re not sure how to improve the insulation in your home, we hope these tips will help.