Home Winterization Tips

The official start of winter is right around the corner and cold weather is already here. Now is the time to start winterizing your home, so you can be prepared for the drop in temperatures.

#1: Add insulation.
Having enough insulation in your home is a critical part of keeping your home warm during the winter. This is also one of the best ways to winterize the space. The right amount of insulation will additionally help you save money and energy. Add insulation to your attic floor, basement ceiling, walls, or any other areas where insulation is lacking or missing.

#2: Don’t ignore drafty windows or doors.
Drafts from old, inefficient doors and windows will waste energy. Caulking windows or doors can help in the short term to keep cold air from getting in, but this isn’t something that will help in the long run. It might be time to consider replacing your windows and doors instead. New Energy Star ® certified windows and doors are an investment that will not only keep you more comfortable for years to come, but they will save you money and add value to your home, too.

#3: Check the gutters.
Winter is wet and rainy in the Northwest. Make sure your gutters are cleaned out, so you don’t end up having standing water around the roof line. Clean gutters allow melting snow and rainfall to drain properly. Standing water that is left unattended could cause damage to your roof over time.

#4: Hire a trusted contractor.
Take the time to read online reviews of home improvement companies in the area. Ask them for pictures of jobs that they have recently completed and take note of any red flags that come up during your reading or discussions. Some home improvement projects need to be left only to the professionals. Whether it’s replacing your windows or doors, doing a complete roof replacement, or talking to us about new siding for your home, our experienced team at Lifetime Windows & Doors has the expertise you can trust. For over two decades, we have served the Pacific Northwest and have the reputation for quality workmanship to prove it.

Ready to work through your home winterization task list? We provide free quotes on replacing worn windows or doors with new ones that are energy efficient and insulated. We also replace roofs and siding. We proudly serve Portland, Oregon and the surrounding areas, as well as Central Oregon and Southwest Washington. Don’t delay and contact us today for information on how to get your appointment on the books!

Reasons to Invest in Energy Efficient Windows

Energy efficiency is not just a trend anymore. It is a necessity in our daily lives. Many of the products and services that we use every day – from hybrid vehicles to our heating and cooling systems, boast incredible energy efficiency.

Not sure where to start when it comes to energy efficiency? Your home’s windows are a great place to begin. When installed by our professional team at Lifetime Windows and Doors, new, energy efficient windows benefit both your wallet and the planet. Here are some benefits of investing in energy efficient windows.

#1: You’ll save money in heating and cooling costs.
Whether it is the heat of the summer or the cold days of winter, your home’s heating and cooling system works hard to keep you comfortable. New windows keep the temperature inside your home tightly sealed, so no air will leak in or out. This enhanced insulation allows for reduced utility bills. Also, it helps prolong the life of your HVAC system, because it doesn’t have to work harder than necessary to heat or cool your home.

#2: You’ll have more natural light.
Natural light transforms the space in your home! With natural light, your mood and focus improve. Natural light also brings in warmth, so on the cool fall and winter days, you can benefit from the sunlight streaming through your windows.

#3: Protected furniture.
Energy efficient windows have special coating that provide protection from the sun’s UV rays. This preserves objects such as couches, chairs, rugs, and paintings.

#4: Your home will be quieter.
Because new windows are insulated and airtight, they provide incredible soundproofing. This keeps exterior noise at bay and allows you to relax and unwind comfortably in a quiet space.

New windows are an investment that you will enjoy immediately! Not to mention, they add to the value of your home. Not sure which windows are right for your space? We carry various window brands, including Milgard and Simonton products. We are happy to provide free quotes for your window replacement project and our fall special provides up to 15% off new windows and doors. So, contact us today to learn more!

3 Tips to Winterize Your Home

Winter is right around the corner and that means your home should be ready. Local forecasters are predicting some major winter events this year, so it’s best to be prepared well ahead of time. Here are some helpful tips that can help winterize your home so you can stay comfortable all season long.

#1: Seal your windows and doors.
Windows or doors that are old or not energy efficient will leak precious warm air outside. That not only makes your heating system work harder, but it will also cause your utility bills to increase significantly. Make sure your windows and doors have proper seals and weather-stripping.  Maybe your windows and doors are decades old. If that’s the case, they just simply are not up for the task of helping keep your home warm this winter. New Energy Star® certified windows and doors are a worthwhile investment that will save you money in the long run. They also add value to your home!

#2: Ensure you have enough insulation.
Does your home have the right amount of insulation? Adding insulation is one of the best ways to save money and energy at the same time. Consider adding insulation to your basement ceiling and your attic floor. This keeps warm air inside your home better and will keep you comfortable all winter.

#3: Do your research.
Oftentimes, winterizing your home requires working with companies or contractors in the area. Research before you hire. This is key! Read online reviews, ask for pictures of recently completed jobs, and take note of any red flags that you see either online or in person. Replacing your windows, doors, roof, or siding should be left to the professionals. Our experienced team at Lifetime Windows & Doors has been helping customers of all kinds around the Pacific Northwest for more than two decades. Our reviews and experience speak for itself and we are glad to answer any questions you have about your home winterization projects. You can trust our hands-on experience.

Winterizing your home is important. We offer free quotes on replacing your inefficient windows or doors with new ones that are insulated and maximize energy use! We are proud to serve Portland, Oregon and the surrounding areas, as well as Central Oregon and Southwest Washington. No matter what your winterizing project requires, our professional team can help you get your home ready to go. Don’t delay and contact us today for information on how to get your appointment on the books!

How to Prepare Your Home for Fall Weather

Fall in the Pacific Northwest is one of the best times of year! The leaves are changing beautifully. The weather is crisp and cool and the sun is out! Now that autumn is here, there are a couple of important tips to help get your home ready for season.

Tip #1: Don’t ignore energy inefficiency.
Are your windows damaged or cracked? Or maybe they are simply so old that they leak cold air inside? It’s a fact that old, single-pane windows are not energy efficient. They will bring cold air inside and let heated air escape. Your heating system will work harder to keep your living space comfortable. That translates to increased energy bills. New windows will keep warm air in this autumn. That will in turn, save you significant money each year. If you install new windows, you will notice right away the energy savings! And, you won’t feel drafts as much, either.

Tip #2: Check your roof.
It’s no secret that fall and winter in the Pacific Northwest is cold and windy. Your roof plays an important role in keeping you protected from the elements. Need a roof replacement? Fall is a great time to do that. The weather is usually dry enough, allowing roofing teams to finish the job before it gets cold, wet and slippery out there. Replacing your roof will not only look nice and help utilize less energy, but it will add resale value to your home. If your roof is 15 to 20 years old, then it’s time to talk about replacement with one of our roofing professionals. And, we use only Malarkey Roof and Hardie Siding products in our roof replacements, which is the best of the best.

We proudly serve the greater Portland area, Southwest Washington, and Central Oregon. Ready to get your fall preparation checklist for your home complete? We can help you get the information you need on window or roof replacement, in addition to doors and siding! So, whatever your home project entails, we’ll help get it weatherized just in time for autumn season. Call us today to get started.

How Natural Light Impacts Your Mood

We’ve all heard that poor lighting could cause eye damage or give you a headache from eye strain over time. But did you know that absence of natural light will also impact your mood and overall physical health? The lack of natural light has been found to contribute to depression as well as vitamin D deficiency, but it can also impact how energetic you feel. Bright natural light is good to help wake you up in the morning, whereas dim lights will help with your body’s natural rhythm, helping you sleep.

In the office, poor lighting can negatively impact productivity and can even make employees feel drowsy. That translates to a lack of motivation and focus! Light truly impacts your health, affecting behavior, mood, and hormone balances.

Have you noticed that your home lacks clean, energy efficient windows and doors that can bring in this beautiful natural light?  Don’t delay in starting your window replacement project. We are proud dealers of Milgard and Simonton window and door products. Our team of professionals can help get your new windows installed just in time for the change to autumn, so you can enjoy the light and see the changing leaves. New, energy efficient windows will not only boost your health and well being, but they will add curb appeal and value to your home. That means you’ll get a good return on your investment when it comes time to sell your home later down the road. In the meantime, you can enjoy the quietness, lower utility bills, and natural light that comes from having new windows.

Ready to talk to us about what window options are available within your budget? Your home deserves a facelift and your health will thank you for it. Contact us today for more information!

3 Reasons To Replace Your Roof Before Winter Weather Hits

November is here, and the temperatures are dropping fast. With the cold weather comes different weather scenarios, including rain, wind, sleet, and snow. Your roof has an important job during every season of the year, but it can really take a beating in the cold fall and winter months. If your roof has seen better days and it isn’t up to handling another winter, now is the time to act on a roof replacement. Here are some reasons why.

#1: It will protect your home and add value.
If your roof begins to leak, it could cause damage to the inside of your home and that could be costly to repair. Not to mention, over time, water damage can cause dry rot and mold build up, which can cause health problems. A new roof will protect you from these risks. In addition, a new roof will add instant value to your home while adding curb appeal!

#2: You can add extra features during a roof replacement.
Did you know that if you’re replacing your roof with Lifetime Windows & Doors, our team can install skylights where you want them? This is the perfect opportunity to not only add value and beauty to your home with a new roof, but you can also add natural light! Skylights on the roof bring light into different areas of your home, creating a feeling of warmth, well- brightness. This is especially true in the Pacific Northwest when the days can get gray and drab, and we want to maximize the light we get.  Skylights can also save you energy because you will be using less artificial light and more natural light. Talk to us about skylight options during your roof replacement project.

#3: You can save energy.
Old, leaky roofs leak not just air out and water in, but they can also cause you to waste money! If your roof leaks cold air in and warm air out, you’ll likely be using your furnace more often, which can cause your heating bill to increase significantly when the fall and winter weather arrives. The same goes for warm summer days. If your air conditioner has to work harder to do its job, then your energy bill will increase.

Replacing your roof is one of the most important investments a homeowner can make and our experienced team of professionals at Lifetime Windows & Doors can help you get the replacement scheduled and ready to go! We proudly use Marlarkey Roofing Products in our roofing jobs, which is a product that protects the environment through their Energy-Star rated roofing materials.  A high-quality roof will serve you well, keeping you warm and protected from the various Pacific Northwest weather for many decades! Contact us for more details on getting your project started.

Spring Patio Design Tips

We’ve set the clocks forward and the springtime season officially begins this week. Spring is a great time to get outside and your home ready to enjoy the longer days and the sunnier weather. Here are some of our spring patio design tips that will get everything looking great, so you can enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest months ahead.

Tip #1: Install a new sliding glass door.
Want to enjoy the outdoors while staying cozy inside? A beautiful new sliding glass door is the perfect answer. A quality sliding glass door allows for natural sunlight to enter your home and it also allows the convenience of going in and out. In addition, new doors are energy efficient and won’t leak cool air in or warm air out. We install a variety of different sliding doors, including French in-swing or out-swing doors, stacking glass doors, or bi-folding glass doors that open in an accordion fashion. Contact us today for information on which style would be right for your space.

Tip #2: Update old exterior siding.
New siding can work wonders for your curb appeal, add value to your home, and it will be great to look at when you sit on your patio and enjoy the weather with your family or guests. If your exterior siding has areas of damage or dry rot, it’s important to replace it right away so it doesn’t cause damage to the inside. Our team at Lifetime Windows & Doors works with customers in replacing exterior siding and we’re proud to carry outstanding products from James Hardie Siding. New siding adds a new layer of energy efficiency to your home and can help you with heating and cooling bills over time.

Tip #3: Replace windows.
The windows in your home allow you to see the beauty of springtime. But if your windows are old, leaky, or noisy, it may inhibit your enjoyment. Replacement windows can reduce noise, help reduce utility bill costs, and will also keep you more comfortable!  Lifetime Windows & Doors carries a variety of window styles and brands that will fit well into your specific home’s style and most importantly, the budget you have set.

We are proud to serve Portland, Oregon and the surrounding areas, as well as Central Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our professional team can help you get your home’s exterior updated and beautiful. Ready to get started? Visit our specials page to see what our current specials are, then contact us today for information on how to get your appointment on the books with us.