Tips to Improve your Home’s Performance During Cold Weather

Many homeowners are taking steps to ensure a cozy, energy-efficient home that is properly prepared for cold, harsh weather. As such, CertainTeed Corporation, North America’s largest brand of building products, offers the following tips to help homeowners combat the inclement weather.

Check your gutters and downspouts. Gutters full of leaves can become clogged, form ice dams and cause water to leak inside the home. Be sure to clear all gutters of fallen debris. In addition, make sure downspouts are working properly so water flows away from the home.

Replace worn roofing shingles. Worn or missing roof shingles should be replaced to prevent water and cold air from entering the home. Landmark™ Impact Resistant Shingles form a barrier between your roof and hail, falling tree branches and other hazardous winter forces.

Seal air leaks. The biggest culprits of air leaks in a home are around windows and doors, which can be sealed with caulk or weather stripping to improve the comfort of your home.

Check your attic. The attic plays an important role in the overall energy efficiency of a home. If you can see the tops of the ceiling joists when you look in your attic, you need to add insulation to save energy and improve your comfort. Premium fiberglass blowing insulation, such as InsulSafe SP, is a good choice since it is a proven performer that is safe and easy to install.

Don’t forget the foundation. If your home is built on a concrete slab, heated air might be escaping from the foundation. To increase energy efficiency and help reduce utility bills, install the EnergyEdge® system, which consists of insulated rails that are installed around the perimeter of a home’s foundation.

Boost curb appeal and energy efficiency. If an exterior makeover is on the horizon, insulated siding can improve the efficiency of your home while also enhancing its appearance. With 19 color options, CedarBoards™ insulated siding offers the perfect balance of beauty and performance.