Roofing contractors always advise homeowners to winterize their homes early to prevent problems commonly associated with being unprepared for the freezing temperatures and the presence of snow and ice. The same is true with window contractors, who advise homeowners to prepare their windows for winter.
Cleaning your windows, looking for gaps and holes so you can repair or reseal them, and replacing your window treatments with something that will help your home’s energy efficiency are some of the things you can do. But don’t forget to remove your window screens before the first snowfall every winter.
Why should you remove your window screens as part of your window winterization? There are several reasons:
To Prevent Snow and Ice Buildup
Heavy snow buildup, which can put a strain on your roof as well as cause ice damming, is one of the most common reasons for roof leak repair calls during winter. But snow buildup isn’t just a problem for your roof.
If you neglect to remove your window screens, snow and ice can get trapped between the window and the screen when a snowstorm blows by your home. This can cause your window screens to warp or bow. It can also damage your window sills and frames. This is an unnecessary cost you don’t want to deal with, so it’s best to simply remove the screens before winter.
To Allow You to View the Outdoors More Clearly
Many people enjoy looking out of their windows to watch the landscape turn white with snow. Dirt and debris trapped in your windscreen can create an obstruction to an otherwise clear view.
To Make Your Home Brighter
Window screens reduce the light that enters your windows. It also reduces the heat from the sun. By removing your screens, you can make your home much brighter, which also makes you more cheerful during the gloomy weather. It also allows up to 40% more heat from the sun, which helps lower your need for artificial heating.
To Clean Your Screens
This is an opportunity to clean your window screens before putting them in storage. You can also inspect them for damage.
Pro tip: label each screen so it’s easier to put them back on your windows in the spring.
Removing your window screens before winter is a simple task that can prevent several issues. For more advice on winter window maintenance, get in touch with John Henderson Construction. We also offer other services, including roof replacement. Call us today at these numbers: RI: (401) 615-2224 or CT: (860) 415-4055. You can also fill out this form.
