Storm doors and windows add a second barrier between your home and the weather, while gutters carry rainwater away from the house. Together they keep the interior dry, hold temperatures steady and help keep heating and cooling bills manageable.
The outside of a house is its first line of defense against rain, snow, wind and extreme temperatures, and in Connecticut it has to handle all of them over the course of a year. This guide explains what each of these parts does and when it is time to upgrade.
How Storm Doors and Windows Protect Your Home
Storm doors
A storm door gives your entry an extra layer of protection against cold winter temperatures. Blocking cold air helps keep the inside of the house warm, so the furnace does not have to run around the clock.
A storm door also lets you bring in natural light. Open the interior door and keep the storm door closed, and sunlight comes in while heated or cooled air stays inside.
Storm windows
Storm windows are installed over existing windows to cut drafts and further increase energy efficiency. Aluminum-framed storm windows that are customized to the opening fit as tightly as possible, and the tighter the fit, the better they work.
Replacement windows
If your windows have gaps or cracks, drafts are probably driving up your utility bills, and covering them may not be enough. Vinyl replacement windows make a house more energy efficient and can save you money every month. They are also easy to maintain.
Why Gutters Matter
Many homeowners underestimate how vital their gutters are. Gutters carry water away from the house. If they are damaged, sagging, leaking or clogged, they cannot do that job.
Water that is not carried away has to go somewhere. It can leak under roofing shingles, damage siding, or pool on the ground, where it harms landscaping and the foundation.
Aluminum gutters are a common choice because they are lightweight, durable and affordable, and they can be painted. Seamless gutters are easier to maintain than traditional sectional gutters. With no seams to catch debris, they are less likely to clog and be damaged.
Over an entry, a door canopy is another way to keep rain off the doorway and the people using it.
Signs It Is Time to Upgrade
Cold air around the front door, rooms that never feel warm, condensation or frost on the inside of windows, and climbing energy bills all point to doors and windows that are no longer sealing well.
For gutters, look for sagging sections, leaks at the joints, water spilling over the edge in a normal rain and puddles close to the foundation.
Talk to Aladdin About a Storm Door or New Windows
Aside from the mortgage, heating and cooling are often among a household’s largest monthly expenses, so a tighter exterior can pay you back for years. Aladdin has served Connecticut homeowners since 1949. Contact us or call (203) 776-9996 to get an estimate for a storm door or replacement windows.