Preparing for Fall with CTV

CTV stopped by Centra Windows HQ in Langley to speak to one of our experts about fall weather, the issues homeowners can face, and how to maintain year-round home comfort. Read on to learn more!

The BC Fall Climate

We’ve had a hot summer, but Fall is here and the weather’s changing. What should homeowners be watching out for?

The change in weather can cause a lot of problems to show up, and most of them relate back to the efficiency of your home. We like to think of the whole house as a system. All the elements that make up the building exterior can impact your comfort. The roof, the walls, the doors, and of course the windows. It’s also been very dry this summer. With the rain and the cold, BC homeowners could start seeing a lot of problems with old windows specifically, such as drafts and leaks.

Going into fall and winter, what are some things homeowners can do to make their homes more efficient and keep themselves comfortable?

The first thing people go to is to crank up the heating, but this can be wasteful and expensive. If your building envelope performs well, then you may not have to use the heating, or at least you can delay it until it’s a lot colder. Improving the building’s shell, such as adding good insulation in the walls or roof or getting new windows, can seem daunting at first. But it pays for itself in the long run thanks to the added efficiency. If you consult an expert and have your home properly assessed, they’ll be able to help identify what project you should tackle first to make the biggest difference.

Drafts, Cold, Condensation & Mould

Let’s talk more in-depth about some of the issues we mentioned earlier. What kind of problems will homeowners notice with old windows specifically?

A lot of issues can arise. You may not experience them all, but any one of them can be a big hassle or impact your home comfort in a big way. Many of the homeowners we speak to with old windows complain about drafts, cold, mould on the frames, and condensation on the glass. These are very common in fall and winter. Condensation is pretty normal, unless it is between the panes of glass or if it gets too excessive. The rest shouldn’t be happening at all.

What’s the best way for homeowners to deal with these issues?

There are some quick short-term fixes that people try. We see a lot of people covering windows with cling film to try and keep out the drafts and make their houses warmer, though this doesn’t work very well. You may be able to get someone out to do temporary repairs to your windows, to reseal them or try and repair cracks, but these fixes don’t tend to last too long either before comfort issues return. Your windows could be ten years old or fifty years old, but if you’re seeing problems such as drafts or mould, then the best long-term solution and the thing that will make the biggest difference is replacing the windows entirely to ones with extra panes, new glass coatings, and more efficient frames.

The Best Ways to Renovate

We’ve spoken about issues that homeowners may encounter in fall with old windows and their properties overall. What are some top tips for them to keep in mind when it comes to renovating and avoiding these problems?

The first and best thing you can do is speak to an expert. Find someone who is trusted and knows their stuff. It’s never been easy to do your research on companies. Look at reviews and customer testimonials, and you’ll find the right people for the job. I’d also highly recommend finding a company that keeps everything in-house if you can. These can be big projects, and the last thing you want to deal with if there’s any hiccups is finger-pointing between companies and an unwillingness to take responsibility. Finding a company like that is also the best way to get a great, watertight warranty.

With these being big projects, is there any help out there for homeowners who could really do with renovating, but are feeling the pinch right now with inflation and rising interest rates?

Thankfully there is. Both the provincial and federal governments have grant programs that can help homeowners upgrade. The federal government also currently has a 10-year, interest-free loan of up to $40,000 for renovations which homeowners can apply for. The application process for these rebates and loans can be quite complex though and there are some stringent rules, which is another reason why it’s important to have experts and honest companies to consult and help guide you. It’s also always worth asking companies about financing plans they have available. In the long run the extra efficiency of your home saves you money, so it’s better to renovate sooner rather than later and take advantage of these grants and financing options now.

We Are Your Certified Window Geeks!

We love to talk windows! Have a question about your renovation project? All you have to do is reach out! Contact us early in the process and our experts will make sure everything is correct from the get-go. You can also reach our local Employee Owners at 1-888-534-3333, or by email at info@centra.ca. Become a Window Geek yourself by signing up for our Master Class, and test your window knowledge by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter! Want to join (and OWN!) an exciting, award-winning company with huge growth potential? Check out our current openings, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about Centra!