Twin Cities Home Improvement Advice
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 651-461-9226. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 2.26.22.
Before having new windows installed in your home, it’s important to understand the solar heat gain coefficient. This term refers to the amount of the sun’s energy that converts into heat as it flows through a home’s windows. In Minnesota, it’s wise to have Infinity® from Marvin windows installed. The lower the sun is on the horizon in the winter months, the more solar heat gain a space experiences, particularly in southern facing exposures. This allows a room to be warmer in the winter months than what the thermostat is set at. In the summer months, when the sun is higher on the horizon, the windows will reflect the heat, keeping a room from getting too hot. It’s important to know that humidity levels should be in the appropriate winter ranges in order to prevent frost and condensation from forming on windows.
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The style of window or door installed on a home can have a deep impact on its energy efficiency. For example, swinging doors tend to have lower air and water infiltration rates than sliding glass doors. When it comes to windows, casement windows are the most energy efficient operable window available. Picture windows, which do not open and close, are even more energy efficient than casement windows. This is because of the lack of moving parts. 
A home’s roof is an area where heat loss is prevalent. This is why most roofing warranties are accompanied by a ventilation clause that stipulates the amount of ventilation needed for an attic. When shingles are subject to excessive levels of heat, their lifespan can be lessened. Homeowners should beware of any roofing contractor that’s not inspecting a home’s attic. That’s because its condition is a critical component to the health of a roof.
The siding material a homeowner selects should take into consideration where in the country a home is located. In the Twin Cities area, LP® SmartSide® wins high marks with homeowners and contractors. The material is designed with water management in mind. Special tools and hazmat suits are not required to work with the material. The material is made locally in Two Harbors, MN and Tomahawk, WI. LP® SmartSide® is offered in a variety of colors and styles to allow homeowners to custom-design their curb appeal.
Another building material that is gaining popularity in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin is Millboard® decking. This composite material does not get overly hot and is not slippery. Aesthetically, it’s as eye-catching as any decking on the market. In terms of cost, it is comparable to the other major brands.
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