Despite Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow this year, it seem as though Spring will be upon us sooner rather than later. As the temperature increases, so do many of our moods and levels of ambition. As the snow clears and we begin to gather plans for the warm weather, many of us also assess the damage (if any) to our homes and decide on a few things we’d like to do to “gear up” for next year.
Whether your home took a beating this year or you just want to make some aesthetic upgrades to show off to your neighbors at the pool parties and barbecues, spring is the best season for the necessary replacements or home upgrades you are looking for.
If you try to install during the winter or summer months, you are going to run into a few issues. Obviously in the winter, Colorado experiences severe weather such as bitter cold, hail, and tons of snow. This is going to cause delays and rescheduling in your installation, which I am sure many homeowners would rather avoid. Less obvious however, the same delays can occur in the summertime. There will be some days where it is too hot for installers to work on your project, as well as a ton of competition as many other homeowners will be trying to get their projects done at the same time.
There are several reasons to upgrade your windows (and other areas of your home) when it is warm, but not too warm! First of all, when you replace windows at this time you won’t be letting in the cold air of the winter, or hot air of the summer that is going to crank up your utility bills. Having a gaping hole in your home during the cold or hot months of Colorado is really never a good idea unless absolutely necessary.
For those who don’t know, Caulk is a large part of the installation process for any facet of the home. You ideally want to apply the caulk between the temperatures of 40 and 80 degrees. It adheres better in warmth than it does in the freezing cold, but if it’s too hot (80 or 90 degrees), then it will not cure properly.
Another reason to install in the spring is what contractors call the “movement of the substrate.” Vinyl and aluminum tend to expand in the heat and contract in the cold. This could cause the caulk to crack and split the materials when the weather gets warmer (or colder if you install in the fall).
At Conservation Construction, we are here to start and finish your project any time of the year if that is what you desire. However, we recommend that for the smoothest and quickest installation process you take weather factors (especially in Colorado) into consideration!
If you are thinking about upgrading your windows, doors, or siding to give your home an aesthetic and energy efficiency boost for years to come, the best time to get your project started is sooner than you may think.