Expert Tips for Planning Your Upcoming Porch, Window, or Insulation Project
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement quandaries addressed by calling or texting 651-989-9226. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 2.20.21.
The most expensive home improvement is the one you pay for twice. This especially holds true when it comes to converting a three-season porch to a four-season porch. This is because the conversion to a four-season porch often requires upgrades to the space’s footings, windows, and insulation. However, preplanning can avoid these extra expenses. Many homeowners choose to include windows with combination glass packs. This means the window sashes are removable, allowing for ample ventilation during the summer months.
Go Behind The Scenes On A Deck & Porch Installation Project Completed By Lindus Construction:
For homeowners wanting long-lasting energy efficient windows throughout their home, Infinity® from Marvin can prove to be an optimum choice. They’re comprised of Ultrex® fiberglass which has the same rate of expansion and contraction of the glass. Twin Cities homeowners appreciated that they are manufactured in Minnesota in order to withstand the area’s rampant temperature swings. Their solar heat gain ratings also make them a wise choice for the Minnesota winters. Even though they are only double pane windows, their inside temperature is often warmer than quality triple pane windows. This happens because the thermal transfer from cold can happen faster on many triple pane windows because the distance between the panes of glass is smaller. Although the temperature difference may only be a couple of degrees, this can be the difference between whether or not windows frost up. This holds especially true on larger windows.
During the winter months, homeowners should make a conscious effort to monitor their home’s level of humidity. Doing so prevents window condensation and mold growth. Healthy home humidity in the winter months is typically 30% or less. However, when exterior temperatures reach well below freezing, home humidity levels may need to be even lower. In periods of frigid temperatures, the stack effect is more likely to take place. This means that the interior air in the lower levels of the home can rise to the home’s attic due to subpar insulation and ventilation. When the warm air meets the attic’s cold surfaces, frost is formed. It’s only a matter of time before the frost melts, ruining your home’s insulation and creating ceiling stains. In the winter, the attic’s interior temperature should be like the temperature of the outdoors.
Listen to the Entire Episode Here: