Hot chocolate, snowmen, holidays with loved ones—the winter months can bring a lot of fun. But as climate trends shift in Chicago, our toasty autumns, sudden cold snaps, and extra-heavy winter snows take a serious toll on your home!
Fortunately, there are steps you can take right now to make your house more energy efficient, moisture-resistant, and ready to withstand cold weather. Here’s a handy checklist of ways to prep for winter—both now and for years to come.
1. Prevent Costly Leaks and Weather Damage
Inspect the Roof
Your roof is the first line of defense against Chicago’s harsh winters. Any maintenance—including debris removal, trimming tree limbs, and replacing damaged shingles—is best done before cold weather arrives.
Inspect the roof from the ground with binoculars to look for loose shingles and missing flashing. When roofing is past its prime, it’ll be less efficient, which encourages ice dams and moisture leaks to occur. If it’s time for a roof replacement, fall is a great time to schedule it.
Clear Out Gutters
Clogged gutter systems are a big culprit behind roof leaks. If melting snow, sleet, and ice can’t run off, the water will back up and get under your roofing. As temperatures drop below 32 degrees, everything refreezes, causing ice dams that damage shingles. That’s a recipe for problems.
Do a thorough gutter cleaning before winter hits—and consider installing gutter guards to keep out debris year-round
Repair Damaged Siding
Worn-down siding can lead to moisture damage—so lapboards need to be sturdy and watertight. To help seal your exterior, paint wood siding on a 3-5-year schedule. Replace broken or punctured boards, and add caulking where needed.
Upgrade to Durable, Weather-Resistant Siding
You can reduce maintenance costs and protect your home for decades with gorgeous, water-resistant fiber cement siding. High-performing James Hardie® siding is engineered to resist Chicago’s cold, wet climate without rotting or breaking down.
Plus, Hardie siding resists pests, is noncombustible, and comes with ColorPlus® Technology to give you hundreds of vibrant hues to choose from. If your current siding is old and under-performing, Hardie siding is an excellent replacement that’ll last for decades.
2. Stop Drafts and Keep Your Home Cozy
Eliminate Window Drafts
Drafty windows can drive up utility costs and allow moisture to get inside and do damage. Cold, wet weather demands energy efficiency—so it’s worth looking at how to enhance your windows’ performance.
One way to add insulation is to install seasonal storm windows. The additional layer of glass can keep drafts out and heated air inside, where it belongs. Storm windows also protect against sleet, freezing rain, snow and ice during bad weather. Use caulk to fill gaps between the window frame and exterior walls.
Upgrade to Water-Resistant, Long-Lasting New Windows
The older your windows get, the less able they are to stand up to cold snaps, hail, sleet, and moisture. If your current windows aren’t in good shape, it’s time to replace them with top-performing ones that can deliver greater efficiency and moisture resistance.
The Chicago homeowners we serve really appreciate the outstanding beauty, easy upkeep, and strong performance of ENERGY STAR-rated Marvin® replacement windows. They come in attractive styles and colors that look lovely while also resisting condensation and giving you superb insulation.
Care for Exterior Doors
Cold drafts are not just uncomfortable in wintertime—they’re also costly. Gaps around door frames can let in frigid air and leak valuable heat. No thanks! Add weather stripping to exterior doors and ensure they’re snugly set within their frames.
3. Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Re-insulate the Attic
Without proper attic ventilation and insulation, heated air escapes through the roof, leading to higher utility costs, ice dams, and potential moisture damage. To address this, inspect your attic and make sure insulation looks intact—not torn up by pests or dampened by roof leaks. It should be consistently thick (about 10-14 inches deep). If it is old, damaged, or too thin, replace it with fresh insulation.
Have the Furnace Serviced
Before winter sets in, make sure your furnace is working as it should. Schedule a professional tune-up, address any needed repairs, and use carbon monoxide detectors. To make your home as efficient as possible, install a programmable thermostat so you’re not wasting energy while you’re at work during the day.
Clean the Chimney
Buildup (called creosote) in your chimney can ignite a house fire, so schedule a professional checkup and cleaning before you light up a cozy blaze. Your chimney cleaner should inspect the bricks and cap to keep out pests, prevent moisture leaks, and draw smoke up and out. Also, regularly remove any leftover ash in the fireplace.
Take Advantage of Local Energy Initiatives
As an Illinois resident, you can unlock savings while you make your home more energy efficient. As you consider upgrades such as new windows, fresh siding, or a roof replacement, ask your contractor whether local energy rebates, federal home energy tax credits, low-income family credits, and manufacturer rebates are available to you.
Also, investigate having an energy audit done. Many energy companies offer them for free, and you can get great tips on how to keep your house comfortable during the winter in a more affordable way.
Ensure Your Home Is Ready for Winter with Home Exterior Upgrades Now
Winter in Chicago is no joke—and you’ll be glad of the results you enjoy when you make your home energy-efficient and watertight before cold weather arrives. As you check out your house and perform seasonal maintenance, you may notice you could benefit from upgrades like new siding.
As a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, our Siding & Windows Group team has performed the highest volume of James Hardie installations in the Chicago area, and we take pride in providing superior, expert service. See how our siding replacements can give you greater energy-efficient, moisture-resistant siding to get you through winter with ease.
