Your windows are one of the most important aspects of your home, so if they’re in need of replacement, it’s important to get new windows as soon as possible. When you need new windows, you’ll likely notice that your home doesn’t look as beautiful as it did before, and that the comfort and functionality of your home has decreased. There are many indicators that you need new windows. Here are some telltale signs that you need new windows so that you can ensure your home is as beautiful and functional as possible.

Common Signs That You Need New Windows

Are you asking yourself if you need new windows? It’s a big decision to make, especially since windows are such an investment. They’re vital to your home, though, so if it’s time to replace your windows, you’ll need to act sooner than later. Some of the signs that your windows probably need to be replaced include:

#1. Your Energy Bills Are Spiking

One of the key functions of windows is to keep outside air out so that your home maintains a comfortable temperature. If you need new windows, you’ll likely notice your energy bills increasing as your HVAC system tries to compensate for the energy escaping through your windows and the exterior air that is being allowed in. There is a seal between your window panes and the frames. When this gets damaged, you will need new windows, so that they can do their job in making your home more energy efficient and comfortable, rather than less so.

#2. You’re Hearing A Lot Of Outside Noise

Your windows should help to soundproof your home and lessen how much exterior noise you hear, so that it is as peaceful as possible inside. You don’t want to be hearing dogs barking all night or traffic or the neighbors mowing their lawn. While a completely soundproof window doesn’t exist, your windows should be able to lessen the noise transmission. 

Replacing your windows can help provide noise insulation. Windows come in a range of glass thicknesses, insulation levels of window frames, and airtight installation, too, which can improve the noise resistance of your home.

#3. They’re Damaged

In some cases, your windows can simply be repaired instead of replaced. However, some damages will make you need new windows, as window repairs either are not possible or would be more expensive than simply replacing them. Some window damages that can necessitate replacement include:

• Fogginess between the panes
• Broken glass
• Glass that is soft to the touch
• Chipping
• Rotting window frames
• Mold and/or decay
• Water damage
• Cracked glass

#4. They Are Difficult To Operate

Your windows shouldn’t be hard to open and close. If it’s hard to get your window to open, close, and lock, you need new windows. This can happen as a result of poor installation, which can cause balance issues, as well as rusting and rotting. 

#5. They’re Old

The same as everything else, windows only last for so long. A good quality window that is regularly maintained will have a longer lifespan than one that isn’t maintained or is of lesser quality, but even the highest quality windows don’t last forever. If your windows are old, they likely aren’t functioning as well, and you are more likely than not better off replacing them with new windows rather than trying to repair them.

#6. Your Curb Appeal Has Gone Down

Either as a result of your windows being old and outdated or because they need replacement for other reasons, you may need new windows if your current ones are detracting from your home’s curb appeal. Windows not only serve essential functions in improving the comfort, functionality, and security of your home, they also affect how it looks. It’s why custom windows exist, as well as many different colors and frames and sizes. Windows should match the personality of your property, and new windows can go a long way to updating its appearance.

Do You Need New Windows?

Windows are one of those things where if you need them replaced, you should have it done sooner than later. Window replacement can be done year-round, so there’s no need to worry about putting window replacement off for the season. Replacing your windows will increase the value of your home, improve its energy efficiency, reduce exterior noise, keep your family comfortable, and boost its curb appeal.

Koolbreeze can help you with your new windows. We offer custom styles and sizes so that your windows can look exactly the way you want them too, and ensure they have energy-efficient glass and secure locking systems. If you need new windows, our high quality windows are perfect for you. Contact us today, and let our experts restore the comfort, functionality, and beauty of your home.

What better time than a new year than to take stock of the state of your home and look into elevating it to better match your vision. There are many ways to enhance your home from getting a fresh coat of paint on the walls to replacing your furniture to having renovations done. When it comes time to enhance your home, don’t forget the exterior of it! The outside of your home is what people see before they even get inside and you want it to look just as great as the interior of your home.

Here are seven useful ways you can enhance your home, not just at the start of the year, but any time that you feel it needs an upgrade. 

#1. Install Awnings

Do you want to add some extra protection to your home? Do you want to give it a facelift? Installing awnings is a great way to do this. Awnings come in several different types, from window and door to patio to carport. They can extend your roof and provide protection from the elements through giving shade and sheltering from rain or snow or what have you. They can be retractable, free-standing, or stable. If you’re looking for a way to shield your home from the elements, increase its value, and make it more aesthetically pleasing, installing awnings will definitely enhance your home. 

#2. Remodel Your Deck

Your backyard gives you a private little piece of the outside, so why not enhance your home through making your backyard even more enjoyable? Replacing your deck and enhancing it with built-in benches that can act as storage spaces will not just improve upon the appearance, it will always increase liveability. 

#3. Add An Enclosed Room

Enclosed rooms speak of luxury, but the truth is that they’re actually quite cost-effective! Adding an enclosed room extends your home and gives you a way to enjoy nature from within the comfort of your home. They allow for plenty of natural light and a space where you can host guests, paint, read, spend time with loved ones, or simply sit and enjoy your surroundings rain or shine, without fear of having to deal with bugs or the elements. Not only are enclosed rooms extremely beneficial to you, they’ll increase the value of your home, should you even intend to sell. 

#4. Update Your Siding

Remember how we said that the exterior of your home is one of the first things people notice and judge it by? Your siding plays a massive role in this. If your siding is old or in need of repair, it drags down the entire appearance of your home. There are many different kinds of siding available for you to choose from, which won’t just increase the curb appeal of your home, but also its strength, comfort, and durability.

Not only is fresh siding beneficial to you, both in assisting the appearance and functionality of your home, but it’s also beneficial to the environment, because it reduces your energy expenditure and vinyl siding reduces the consumption of wood in home construction. 

#5 Transform Your Patio

There’s no need for your patio to be this boring space that you only use to get in and out of your home. Transforming your patio with patio furniture and accessories such as a Traeger grill enhance your home by increasing livable space and making it more inviting. Your patio can be a place to gather, a place to enjoy the outdoors, a place to barbeque, and more. And if you want to make your patio more private, awnings and solar shades can be added to enclose it, which won’t just increase its privacy, but also make it more energy efficient and better protected from the elements. 

#6. Install Solar Shades

As mentioned before, installing solar shades will enhance your home through making it more energy efficient. This is because they decrease the amount of UV rays that get into your home which cause your energy expenses to spike. They provide shade when the sun beats down and shelter when it rains or there is wind. They’ll also make your patio more private, so there’s no need to feel self-conscious about your neighbors spying on you. 

#7. Get New Windows

Your windows are one of the most important aspects of your home. They affect the curb appeal, as well as its comfort. Your windows are what allow natural light into your home, keep out the elements and pests, protect against damages like mildew and the like, improve its energy efficiency, and more. Want to enhance your home? Getting new windows will not just make it look better, but make it better protected and save you money. 

Let Us Help You Enhance Your Home

Kool Breeze can help you enhance your home through all of the ways listed above. Want patio furniture? We got you covered. Need new windows? We can do that too. Want to install siding? We’re your guys. To learn more about the many ways we can help you enhance your home or to get started on the process, contact us today!

As winter encroaches upon us, many people resign themselves to the fact that this means they have to pack up all their outdoor furniture until spring dawns. Pergolas especially are an outdoor fixture that people assume can only be used during the warmer months. While it’s understandable why one would think that – pergolas have less covering than gazebos, you can winterize your pergola. 

When you winterize your pergola, you provide a cozy refuge in your yard, an additional place for people to gather, and a way to enjoy the outdoors in more comfort. Here are some of the things that you can do in order to winterize your pergola. 

Add A Heat Source 

Winters are cold, but that doesn’t mean your pergola has to be too. Adding a heat source to your pergola will make it more cozy and comfortable and encourage usage. There’s nothing quite like bundling up in the cold and gathering around a source of heat that says winter bonding and cozy chatter. You may add a patio heater or have a firepit installed. These are beneficial not just to winterize your pergola, but in other seasons too. Summer or fall s’mores, anyone?

Use Patio Furniture That Can Take Winter Weather

Many people use patio furniture that they either have to cover up or put into storage come winter to preserve it and prevent damages. Investing in patio furniture that can withstand the weather is an excellent way to winterize your pergola and ensure optimal usage of your investment. 

Having patio furniture that you don’t need to worry about getting ruined by the rain or snow or that won’t leave puddles for you to sit on and get your clothes all wet will make your pergola more usable and comfortable. Plus, if you have a heat source in your pergola, it can make your furniture warmer and more comfortable too.

Consider Your Pergola’s Roof Type

Pergolas come in a range of roof options. Some offer more shade and coverage than others. Some have lattice roofs that ventilate. When you winterize your pergola, you’ll want to account for the kind of roof your pergola has. Perhaps you’ll add a cover to it, to help shield it from the snow and rain. Your local expert can advise you on how to optimize your pergola for winter, based on the kind of roof that it has.

Cover Outdoor Products

The last thing that you want is for products that aren’t made to withstand the elements to be damaged. If you can’t bring them inside or put them into storage, when you winterize your pergola, you’ll want to ensure that you cover any outdoor products that could be damaged by winter weather. If you have a Traeger grill, you don’t want the metal to rust. Covering such items will keep them in good condition and help them to last longer.

Clean It

Keeping your pergola clean is an excellent way to keep it in good shape, regardless of the season. But cleaning it before and during the winter will prevent potential damages from snow, as well as keep the area clear of debris and fallen leaves. If your pergola is attached to your home, then snowbuild can cause it to collapse. Cleaning the snow off of your pergola will help it stay strong.

Make It Cozy

So, you’ve potentially added a heating source, you’ve potentially got furniture that can take the weather, so another way to winterize your pergola is to make it more cozy through adding fluffy blankets and throw pillows that people can curl up with or against. You may consider stringing up some fairy lights to enhance a homey atmosphere. Another thing that you can do to enhance the comfort of your pergola is to add a rug. 

Add Covers

We mentioned how you should consider the roof type of your pergola when winterizing it. Another way you can protect its interior from the elements is through adding covers, like outdoor blinds or shades, to keep the cold out and the warmth in.

Do You Need Advice On How To Winterize Your Pergola?

Kool Breeze offers a range of pergolas to best suit your personal tastes and your needs. We take pride in the quality of our products and of our services. When you work with Kool Breeze, you’ll know that you are working with experts that you can trust. We’re happy to help you find the pergola of your dreams, as well as provide any additional information you may need on how to winterize your pergola. For any questions, please contact us at Kool Breeze today!