Blackstone Exteriors

Winter has come, and so do a lot of things to consider within your home, especially regarding your windows and doors! Like most building materials, temperature plays an important role in the condition of your home and the parts within it. Internal heating can only do so much, and it can’t affect windows and doors that are constantly exposed to snow and the frigid climate. How does cold weather affect doors and windows? 

 

Problems With Hardware

As the temperature around your house drops, it can affect the functionality of the hardware in your home, especially windows, doors, latches and the like. As windows and doors rely on latches, hinges and other mechanisms that permit movement through mechanical function, the cold can affect these mechanisms by freezing them. Ice on hinges and latches can immediately freeze a window or door’s ability to swing, jamming them. Cold weather can also cause cracks on brittle metal when not winterized and can cause further damage when subjected to stress.

Ice Formation

Winter automatically causes ice to form in areas where cold air can linger and penetrate in. In this case, windows are highly susceptible to the effects of ice, making weatherstripping replacement an important habit to adopt. This happens when the warm and humid air from within your home escapes through small gaps and comes into contact with the freezing climate of the outside, eventually creating ice. This causes windows and doors to freeze up in places, making it difficult to open and close them. To make sure, contact your general or roofing repair contractor regarding weatherstripping replacement and installation.

Shrinking and Warping

The cold affects a lot of materials, especially organic ones like wood. Temperature and humidity can cause a lot of problems for wooden materials and the like as they usually shrink when exposed to extreme cold, and humidity can warp them, making them bend at certain angles. Warping and shrinking can cause a lot of problems to the aesthetics and functionality of your windows and doors, so make sure that materials that are susceptible to them are treated with sealant and protective paint.

Contact Us!

Blackstone Exteriors is an industry-leading roofing company, new construction provider and exterior improvement service expert. We wholeheartedly provide our clients with exceptional repair, replacement and maintenance solutions for both residential and commercial properties.

For any inquiries, you can reach us at (515) 344-1323, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.