Summer is a favorite season for many. School’s out, so there’s a lot less traffic. It’s also when most people go on fun vacations or beach trips. And no matter how hot it gets, it beats having to shovel snow every day. It’s also a good time to do home improvement projects around the house, since the weather is so much nicer.

9 Home Improvements and Repairs to Make This Summer

So what are some good ideas to work on this summer?

1. Power Washing

No matter how meticulous you are about keeping things clean, the front sidewalk, driveway, exterior walls, and windows tend to get a beating from dust, pollen, dirt, and every single pollutant outdoors. Pressure washing eliminates any loose paint, grime, mold, and any unwelcome build-up that dulls the look of your home.

2. Install a Deck

Installing a deck in your home allows you and your family to better enjoy the warmer months while increasing your home’s value. This is because it provides additional square footage of livable space as well as a suitable area for entertaining.

3. Install Ceiling Fans

The summer heat can be brutal at times, so it’s tempting to crank up the air conditioner. Installing ceiling fans allows you to keep the AC temperatures up a few degrees, resulting in energy efficiency and lower energy bills while still maintaining a comfortable environment indoors.

4. Conduct a Home Energy Audit

Doing a home energy audit is a good way to find out whether there’s anything you can do around the house to make it more comfortable or energy efficient, such as sealing leaks around drafty windows, installing additional insulation, and inspecting air vents, furnace, and air filters. You can conduct your own energy audit, or hire a professional do it for you.

5. Caulk Fillings

Drafty windows mean having uneven temperatures throughout your home and an HVAC system that works harder to cool or heat the house. As a result, you end up with skyrocketing energy bills. Caulking them in the summer will prevent that from happening and avoid air leaks during winter. Re-caulking them is relatively easy, will make your home more comfortable, and keep your energy bills from spiking, so it’s a win-win.

6. Install New Windows

Replacing windows means having those gaping holes exposed to the weather outside. Therefore, you want to do it when it’s not chilly. Also, caulking adheres better in warmer weather.

7. Provide Roof Maintenance

The average lifespan of a roof is about 20 years. That doesn’t mean all roofs will last that long. Environmental factors and lack of routine maintenance can make them last for a shorter period of time. If you can see any broken or cracked shingles, they look weathered, you experience standing water every time it rains, or you’ve noticed any leaks or water stains on your ceiling, having a roofer inspect it can prevent costly repairs later on.

8. Update Your Home’s Siding

Take some time to walk around your home and inspect the exterior walls. If you notice any peeling paint, cracks, sagging panels, mold growth, small holes, or any other unsightly damage to the sidings, it may be time to replace them. Doing so will maintain your home’s curb appeal (and resale value) while at the same time keeping the outside summer heat from entering your home.

9. Install New Doors

Entry Doors are the gateways to your home and create a lasting first impression of your most important investment. An eye-catching front door will enhance your home’s perceived value by as much as three times the price of the entry according to a national home valuation study. You will have a hard time finding a more beautiful investment in your home than a Kansas City entry door replacement. They are designed to be energy efficient with low maintenance, all wrapped around style and durability.

All-Weather Windows, Doors and Siding (AWWD) was founded in 1986. For over 30 years, we have served the KC metro area and now have a customer base of over 40,000 satisfied customers. We are proud of the reputation for quality we have built over those three decades. Call us at (913) 648-9589 for any installation you need. Or visit us at 7710 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Overland Park, KS, 66202.

At All-Weather Window, Doors and Siding, we know you want quality windows and you don’t want to pay more than you should. Since most homeowners only purchase replacement windows once or twice in a lifetime, it’s hard to know what they should cost. That’s why we put together these tips on buying the best replacement windows. If someone else tries to sell you something you don’t need, you’ll be armed with the information you need to make a smart decision.

There are basically three areas where you can spend erroneously thinking you need that feature or option, when in reality, it won’t provide much benefit. Take them all into consideration when researching and getting quotes and you’ll know how to avoid paying more for something you don’t really need.

1. Price Does Not Equal Performance

You may be inclined to think that a more expensive window is obviously a better window. That is not always the case. In an independent study of casement windows, the least expensive window scored highest. It all depends on the materials and the statistics. When comparing, look at energy ratings, materials (vinyl, wood, aluminum, composite), and warranties. All will affect your satisfaction level after the purchase. Decide which features are important to you and whether they are worth the extra cost difference.

2. Don’t Pay for More Energy Savings Than You Need

Window manufacturers make windows that can withstand some pretty extreme temperatures. However, if you live in the Kansas City area, do you really need windows that are rated for a much colder climate? Avoid overkill and get the windows that will deliver enough energy efficiency, but not way too much. The only place you’ll notice the difference is in your wallet. The NFRC label helps you compare between energy-efficient windows by providing you with energy performance ratings in multiple categories. While the ENERGY STAR label tells you that a product is energy-efficient, the NFRC helps you compare between energy-efficient products by giving you independent ratings in several energy performance categories.

3. Watch Out for Options & Upgrades

It’s easy to overspend on options. Upgrades can easily add 50% or more to the base cost of a window. If you add features, make sure to focus on the features that add value. Low-E coatings improve efficiency, but triple glazing probably isn’t necessary unless you live in an extremely cold climate. Double-hung window sashes (tilt in make cleaning easier), full screens, finer meshed screens, and hardware upgrades will quickly add up, so be careful.  

Other Ways to Save on Replacement Windows

Keep More Money in Your Pocket with Pocket Replacement Windows

If your existing frames and sills are in good shape, you may be a good candidate for pocket replacement windows. Also known as partial replacement windows, these windows are slightly smaller and fit into the existing frames. You save money on materials and labor. Otherwise, you’ll need full-replacement windows.

Finding an Installer

At All-Weather Window, Doors and Siding, we choose to offer Andersen replacement windows to our Kansas City customers. The Andersen window brand has demonstrated integrity and innovation for over 100 years and is the most recognized and most used brand in the window industry. Andersen replacement windows are simply the best replacement windows in Kansas City that we have found.

Even the best windows won’t deliver the look or comfort you expect if they’re installed improperly. Many major window manufacturers train and certify installers for their specific products. At All-Weather, we are proud to be an Andersen Window Circle of Excellence dealer. You can have extra confidence that when we install your windows, we do it exactly the way the manufacturer recommends so the window provides superior performance for years to come. Additionally, using the same contractor for purchase and installation can minimize the chances of problems arising later.

If you’re looking into replacement windows, give us a call at (913) 262-4380 or contact us online and we’ll be happy to help you make this important decision with confidence.

At All-Weather Window, Doors and Siding, we’ve keep quality and innovation in mind for the past 30 years. That’s why we specialize in Andersen Windows. So whether you’re looking for economy or variety, energy efficiency or architectural authenticity, hi-tech materials or low-maintenance design, you can count on Andersen for quality craftsmanship and reliable performance.

Check out why we consistently recommend Andersen Windows in Kansas City over any other window provider:

Andersen Windows Are Exclusively Strong

Are you looking for material that’s strong and durable? Look at Andersen’s Fibrex. Fibrex is a sustainable, green building material with 40% pre-consumer reclaimed wood fiber by weight, and twice the strength of vinyl that blocks thermal transfer nearly 700 times better than aluminum for improved overall energy efficiency. Because of its great thermal performance, we can even offer Fibrex windows with dark colors like black and dark bronze without the worry of heat damage to the frames.

Andersen Offers Beautiful and Custom Real Wood Interiors

Because a large portion of window manufacturers focus purely on low cost and low maintenance, you have limited choices when it comes to complementing your interior. Your options are typically an imitation veneer that looks like wood-grain contact paper and only comes in one or two colors that are difficult to match with your current decor. Ugh! 

Andersen’s Replacement choices fix this problem by offering custom stained or painted windows that coordinate perfectly with your home with unlimited colors and options to complement virtually any architectural style. This means you won’t have to sacrifice the look you love for convenience or price.

Looking for Low Maintenance Windows? Try Andersen’s Perma Shield Clad Exteriors

Did you know other manufacturers use formed aluminum to cover the wood, which can leak and cause wood rot? Not Andersen. Andersen have unique clads for your window that will ensure a lifetime of protection from the elements and freedom from wood rot. Andersen’s Perma Shield clad exteriors create a tough, protective shell that resists dents, repels water by completely sealing out moisture, and won’t peel, flake, blister or corrode. 

Andersen Windows Are Award Winning

With all of these advantages, it’s no wonder that Andersen® 400 Series windows have been named a Best Buy for Replacement Windows by Consumers Digest. Windows were judged on performance ratings, quality of construction and materials, ease of operation, and warranty.

Andersen TruScene Window Screens Are Clearly Better

We buy windows because they provide light and a way to see outside. So why ruin that with a screen that dulls the light and obscures the view? Andersen’s TruScene screens provide more than 50% greater clarity than conventional aluminum screens, letting in more fresh air and sunlight while keeping out small insects.

We are also proud to be Kansas City’s premier “KC Metro” Andersen Circle of Excellence showroom displaying the finest Andersen windows and patio doors. Looking to install new windows? Call us at (913) 648-9589 or schedule an appointment online.