4 Myths About Doing Home Improvement in the Winter
It is a common misconception that exterior home improvement projects can only be done outside of the winter months. Michigan indeed has a reputation for some brutal winters, but that doesn’t mean that the work cannot be performed. Most people wait for peak season to replace their roofing, siding, and windows, which makes the wait time much longer. It can be frustrating to wait 8-12 weeks to replace your home’s siding, so we’re here to clear up the myth that these exterior home projects cannot be done in the dead of winter.
Myth #1: You Can’t Replace Siding in the Winter.
False! Outside of a polar vortex, home siding can be replaced in the winter. While we do need to be mindful of sub-zero temperatures, our crews can replace your siding without too much of a headache. The concern most people have is that siding can become brittle when it’s extremely cold. One way to get around it is to have an efficient crew who knows exactly what they’re doing and how to work under cold temperatures. Exteriors of Lansing has a crew that knows the cautions of freezing temperatures and how to work quickly and efficiently.
Myth #2: Replacing Windows in the Winter Will Increase Your Energy Bill
It’s actually the complete opposite. Replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows will save you money on your energy bill. Old windows or windows that cause drafts can be leaking heat right outside. So, when it’s 32 degrees, and the snow is falling, you should be preserving that heat inside! A poorly constructed window allows that heat to exit right outside.
When we replace windows in a home, there is a defined project timeline. A detailed project timeline allows our team to pop the old windows out one at a time and place the new windows. The temperature outside does not matter for window replacement projects. Besides, since the ground will likely be frozen, you won’t have to worry about our crews tiptoeing around your landscaping!
Myth #3: You’ll Have to Wait for an Installation Time
False! Something that can attribute to an extended installation date is the project load. Most people wait for the sun to shine and grass to be green to start thinking about exterior home projects. This leads to everyone wanting the same thing done at the same time. Since most people lean towards the warmer months, you’ll have an excellent chance of getting the project scheduled and done in a quicker timeframe than if you wait until spring or fall.
Timing is everything, so if sub-zero temperatures are predicted, then the project may be rescheduled until it warms up a few degrees. If we’re honest, though, the times that we have had sub-zero temperatures don’t last for weeks on end. If we were to compare the wait time for replacing siding in June, it might take 8-12 weeks. If we were to compare the wait time in January, it might take 3-4 weeks.
Myth #4: Roof Replacements Cannot Be Scheduled in the winter
Also, false! This one is a little trickier since we’re dealing with ice and snow. Our first priority is to make sure our crews are safe during roof replacement projects – regardless of the time of year. We are more cautious about these projects during the winter months, but that does not mean that a roof cannot be replaced in the winter. With careful planning and timing, we can complete these projects. There are many high-degree days and low-degree days throughout the winter months, but if you put in a request for a roof replacement, we can jump on it when we get a warm enough streak. If you remembered a few years ago, we actually experience two weeks of mid-60s and even 70-degree weather. This is perfect timing for our crews to get in and replace your roof!