WINTER TIPS FOR YOUR HOME: HOW TO STAY HANDY

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We've all see it at one point or another: a door that sticks when the seasons change, a drafty window or exterior door, and entry areas getting wet from boots and coats! Here are a few quick tips and tricks to help keep your home working as it should and keeping you comfortable all winter long!

TEST THE SEAL: EXTERIOR DOORS
An easy way to see if there's any gap in exterior doors is to use a flashlight. If you go on one side and have a family member on the other, you'll be able to quickly tell where any openings are that can lead to a draft. Point a flashlight at the bottom of all of your exterior doors; wherever light comes through is where there are gaps. Fixing these before it's freezing out not only saves you from chilly fingers, but also makes for easier caulking. These gaps can be caused by: old caulking which can be replaced, poor hinge installation (doors are heavy and hinges that are improperly installed can lead to unwanted gaps and drafts), or old/worn weatherproofing. These are easy fixes! A quick YouTube of any of these and a trip to a hardware store may be all you need. If you're not comfortable trying to fix it yourself or you're not sure which problem you have, call an expert! We're happy to reinstall doors, or install brand new ones. Upgrading your exterior doors can even be a great way to save money on heating and cooling expenses with eco-friendly options that better-retain your indoor temperatures.

KEEP YOUR WINDOWS TIGHT
Just like doors, windows can be pests when it comes to letting out your HVAC's hard work heating and cooling your home. With the right, updated windows, your home can remain draft free. Any window will feel cool to the touch when it's colder outside, but you should never feel a draft or breeze. If you do, check to see:
-If the window is slightly ajar
-If the window is locked
-When locked, does the window create a seal and fully close?
-Is the window stable and secure in its housing/frame? 
If any of these seem off, that's when you might need to dig a little deeper and consult a professional. From installations of new windows, demolition of old ones, or adding a new window to an existing wall, our team at J&S can help. 

REMEMBER THAT WINTER RENOS CAN SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY
If you look to the real estate market, you'll see that people often buy and sell their homes more in the spring, summer, and fall than winter. This is for a variety of reasons, such as keeping kids in school or the ease of avoiding ice and snow while moving. People also like to renovate before they move in, or before they get settled, which is important knowledge for you to have. Why?

When you renovate in winter you can save money on materials simply by purchasing out-of-season! There are also often deals on overstock items and even outdoor furniture for those brave enough to buy in the winter.

On top of just material costs, many businesses are less busy in the winter months, which often results in savings. With fewer renovations happening during the winter, you also save time on these materials. Why? Let's use a custom egress window or a glass shower wall. For these items, a glazier needs to have custom glass cut and sized for your project. These orders are placed in a queue-type fashion, and produced in the order that they are received from contractors. If there are fewer custom windows being ordered, you're likely to get that window much faster than if you ordered in during the busy summer months. Think of it like hopping in the shortest line at the grocery store!
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