White Oak Construction is celebrating its 40th anniversary and to honor this exciting achievement, we’ve been highlighting 40 ways to improve your home in a special blog series.
Have you missed the others? Be sure to check out our other blogs for ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal, improve safety, increase energy efficiency, complete a seasonal refresh, add value, prepare for storm season and boost durability.
Read on for our final set of tips!
Does your air conditioning have a hard time keeping up in the heat? Do you feel like you walk around shivering all winter long? It’s time to leave the weather OUTSIDE!
There could be a few contributing factors as to why your home is suffering and unable to keep comfortable during the hot summer months or cold winter days. Thankfully, there are some home improvement steps you can take to protect your home from the elements, improve efficiency and functionality and keep you comfortable through all the seasons.
1. Install New Windows
According to the Department of Energy, heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25-30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Summer heat or freezing temps may easily permeate through your old, single-pane windows, keeping your heat and air conditioning running non-stop. From double hung to large bay windows, White Oak Construction is proud to be a trusted provider of industry-leading replacement windows that are incredibly insulated and carefully sealed to keep the elements out.
2. Replace Outdated Doors
Your home’s exterior doors can be leaking air and causing rising energy bills, especially if they are old, uninsulated and improperly installed. New, high-quality doors have better insulation properties which allows them to hold in heat during the winter and keep it out during the blazing summer months. White Oak Construction is proud to offer an array of beautiful front entries, custom French doors and sliding patio doors that add value, improve efficiency and keep you comfortable.
3. Add Insulation
According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, 90% of single-family homes are under-insulated. Chances are your home is, especially if it was built several years ago! Ask a professional how to assess how much insulation your home has and what type of insulation you have, where you might not have enough and then add the proper amount. By ensuring you have high-quality, balanced insulation across your home, you can decrease the amount of air lost, reduce heating and cooling costs and keep your home more comfortable.
4. Install New Siding
How is your home’s siding holding up? Loose or cracked siding can lead to air leaks, causing heating or air loss that contribute to poor temperature control and higher energy bills. White Oak provides durable, high-quality and well-insulated vinyl siding options that not only boost your home’s curb appeal, but keep your home safe, comfortable and at a consistent temperature.
5. Replace Your Roof
As your roof ages, it breaks down and becomes less effective at doing its job, allowing heat or freezing temperatures to seep into your home. Shingle color, roofing material and other technology can all have an impact on your home’s temperature and efficiency, so you should consult with an expert and have them assess your current roofing condition and home’s individual needs to find the best option. At White Oak, we’re proud to provide industry-leading roofing materials and would be proud to help you renovate or replace your roof to keep your home safe, efficient and comfortable throughout the year.