Cooperative Living November/December 2023 - 23

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Keeping Your Home Cozy
Four tips for maximum winter comfort
Story courtesy of Statepoint Content
W
hen the temperatures drop and the precipitation
turns cold, effi ciently keeping your home cozy
and warm is likely a top priority.
As you make home upgrades this fall, be sure to use
materials designed to withstand extreme weather events,
which help manage indoor climate control. Doing so will
mean greater comfort and more aff ordable energy bills,
not only when it's cold, but all year long.
ROOFING
As your fi rst defense against all kinds of weather, your roof
sustains a lot of wear and tear. Consider prioritizing durability,
strength and weather resistance in a new roof by opting for
metal. Th e good news? You can get a classic appearance
with this material, thanks to updates in roofi ng technology.
For example, the energy-saving metal roofi ng off ered by
ProVia has the textured appearance of natural slate or shake
shingles, but is constructed of highly durable 26-gauge steel
for added strength and lifetime protection from wind, rain,
hail and corrosion.
SIDING
Is your home draft y or chilly when the temperatures
drop and the wind kicks up? Th e culprit may be insuffi cient
insulation. Keep in mind that most wall insulation is placed
only between the studs, and wall studs make up to 25% of the
wall surface of an average home. You can fi ll in these insulation
gaps with insulated vinyl siding that's been tested and proven
to increase the R-value (a measure of a material's resistance to
co-opliving.com
heat fl ow) of an exterior wall. One of the most energy-effi cient
exterior claddings on the market, CedarMAX insulated vinyl
siding is one such choice that can help reduce your energy
bills. Plus, its strong, rigid-foam backing off ers greater impact
resistance against rain, hail, sleet and snow, making a siding
upgrade a good project to consider before the fi rst winter
storm.
WINDOWS
Windows are a common point of heat transfer, and as such,
they play a huge role in the comfort of your home. It's not
oft en that you have to purchase windows for your home, but
when you do, you'll want to ensure that they deliver the best
in energy effi ciency and comfort. ProVia's vinyl windows, for
example, are Energy-Star-certifi ed, to help keep your home
warm in winter.
INTERIOR DECOR
You may not think about your interior decorating choices
as something that could potentially improve your home's
energy effi ciency, but many such updates will not only make
your home look cozier, but they'll also actually help keep it
warm. Th ick area rugs are a good place to start, as they provide
insulation underfoot. Likewise, cellular shades or Roman
shades can help stop heat transfer around windows, and wall
tapestries or fabric-like wallpaper can provide a touch more
insulation on walls.
By selecting the right products, you can prepare your home
for greater comfort and energy savings in cool weather.
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November-December 2023 * Cooperative Living * 21
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Cooperative Living November/December 2023

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