As the winter seasons get colder with the more frequent snowstorms, you may want to start looking to winter-proof your home to prepare for the bleak, cold weather conditions ahead. What many homeowners have done is to seal the gaps, trims, and moldings around the frames of their windows and doors, as these are the most problematic areas when to comes to letting cold air seep into the house. But, contrary to what you may think, caulking is one of the most cost-effective ways of protecting the exterior and interior of your home without costing you a fortune. All you will need is a tube of sealant, a bottle of solvent, a tool (to smoothen the sealant), and some practice! Here are some reasons why we think sealants are critical in winter-proofing your home
They Create A Waterproof, Air-Tight Seal for Your Home
In the United States, the most commonly used material to frame homes is wood. Unfortunately, when there are cracks and gaps in the exterior of your home, snow is bound to enter. When the snow thaws with the warmth of your insulation material, it creates a dark, moist environment that is an ideal breeding ground for mold and bacteria to grow. This can cause the wood framing and the wall panels that support your home to rot and become damaged.
Before you know, the decay might have spread to other parts of your structure like the subfloors, and the damage becomes irreversible. This will be extremely expensive and may require a complete renovation from the LPH RénovAction to replace them. To minimize the risk of moisture seeping into your home’s interior, caulk around the gaps, cracks, and openings of the doors, windows, and other entry points with a reliable sealant built for cold weather and is waterproof, and durable – such as the Artic 2CNS.
They Optimize Your Energy Efficiency
The main reason why your utility bills may be skyrocketing high during this season compared to last year could be because your old caulk has come undone. When the windows and doors are left uncaulked, the cold air during the winter can freely enter your home, while the warmth emitted from your home heater will escape through drafts and air leaks caused by the gaps. Naturally, this would cause you to unknowingly crank up that heater to compensate for the heat loss. The same issue will happen during the summer, but this time in reverse – where cool air escapes and warm air enters. By now, you should be starting the notice a pattern in how these drafts could impact your home’s energy efficiency.
They Can Give Your Home A More Polished Finish
Sealants are also integral in elevating the aesthetic appeal of your home. You don’t always have to remodel your home completely to get the look you want. Sometimes, it is all about adding in the little touches to make the exterior look more polished. Caulking is a great way to fill those gaps and cracks that may have formed over the years from exposure to the elements. A little colored sealant that suits the color of your home may be all you need to get that even and smoother look.
Likewise, if you are looking to get the house repainted, caulking will be an essential step in helping the color appear more seamless when applied to the walls.