Since winter is fast approaching, performing some maintenance that insulates your home and prevents drafts would be wise. These tasks help preserve the value of your home. These easy fixes offer buyers a cozy temperature when touring your house.
Here are some of the best ways to ensure that your home’s heat does not simply fly out the windows:
Ensure a Tight Envelope
Your home’s building envelope consists of your exterior walls, doors, windows, your roof and anything else that makes the structure an enclosed space. When your home ages, it develops tiny cracks and fissures on its exterior, weakening the envelope.
To help abate this process, inspect your home and try and find areas where there are small cracks. Pay close attention to joints in the siding, window trim and soffit. Any cracks you find should be caulked with a product designed for exterior use, preferably made from a durable material like silicone or synthetic rubber.
Add Weather Stripping to Doors and Windows
A roll of weather stripping is inexpensive and can save you a bundle. Try to select a color and size that compliments the look of your trim rather than one that is clearly noticeable. The rubber variety also looks better, lasts longer and offers a tighter seal than the foam-backed adhesive type.
Your door’s threshold could also be revamped to provide a better seal. Some thresholds have sealing gaskets or brushes to help lock out drafts below the door.
Invest in Insulated Windows
Older homes have single-paned windows. Because these windows can rapidly exchange heat with the outside, they are responsible for up to 30 percent of home heating losses.
Consider swapping out these windows for newer, insulated models. They will have multiple panes with gas trapped in between that helps regulate temperature changes. The result is less escaping heat and less condensation on your windows, which can lead to mold growth.
If you do not wish to purchase insulated windows, you can achieve a similar effect by covering your windows in insulating plastic. Keep in mind, this will not look attractive to buyers and may actually hurt your home’s value.
Inspect Your Attic Insulation
Since heat rises through your home, your attic will be a prime spot for heat exchange. Go up into your attic or crawlspace and evaluate the state of your insulation there. If it looks old or sparse, you should invest in having new attic insulation installed.
Blown-in cellulose insulation provides the best heat retention while sealing in all the tiny cracks and crevices.
When you take the time to perform these tasks, your home will stay warmer and your energy bills will stay lower. You can tout these benefits to people when you resell, as well as enjoy them yourself.
For more advice on how to maintain your UBC real estate property, hold its value and add appeal to buyers, you can consult one of our highly-experienced real estate agents. Take a look at our seller’s page to learn more.
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