Summer is a time for fun, travel, and outdoor activities. However, it also brings intense heat, humidity, and possible damage to your house. Extreme temperatures can whittle away at the structure of your home, sending your energy bills soaring and leaving you sweating indoors if you don’t take precautions.
The good news is that several savvy upgrades can summer-proof your home and prepare it for an incredible, durable, energy-efficient season.
Upgrade Your Insulation
Sound insulation isn’t just for the winter. In summer, it keeps heat from entering, lessening the burden on your air conditioning. Hot air gets in if your attic or walls aren’t insulated, and your home becomes an oven. Install spray foam or reflective insulation to block the heat and lower air-conditioning bills.
Get Heat-Reflective Roofing
Darker roofs absorb more heat and make houses hotter. Light-colored or solar-reflective roof materials (such as cool metals or reflective-coated asphalt shingles) can help reduce roof and home temperatures.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
Tiny gaps around windows, doors, and walls let hot and cool air in. Filling these cracks with weatherproof caulking or strips of foam prevents heat from sneaking in from outside.
Install Energy Efficient Windows
Clear glass windows trap heat, making rooms seem like greenhouses. Double-glazed, tinted, or Low-E windows obstruct heat energy and ultraviolet rays from entering the room, helping to reduce the indoor temperature. If replacing windows is out of your budget, try hanging thermal curtains or solar shades to help block heat gain.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
In the summer heat, concrete expands and contracts, and cracks appear. If not addressed, these cracks widen, and the structure becomes destabilized. It is crucial to know the importance of timely crack repair for concrete because, as we know, cracks are tough to lose. Still, timely crack repair is necessary to avoid further damage as your concrete path, driveways, sidewalks, or foundations face many stressors over time.
Apply Waterproofing Solutions
Torrential rains brought on by summer storms can cause leaks and water damage. Sealer, waterproofing, coating, adhesive, and membrane prevent moisture intrusion.
Improve Ventilation
Insufficient ventilation compounds heat, creating a stifling, unlivable home. Adding attic vents, exhaust fans, or a whole-house fan can help with ventilation and make temperatures tolerable.
Select Exterior Paint That Is Heat Resistant
Heat-resistant paint that reflects solar energy keeps heat out of your walls. Since your home’s exterior bears the brunt of summer’s sun, even this small change can bring indoor temperatures down considerably.
Upgrade Your Cooling System
If your air conditioning cannot handle all that heat, it may need an upgrade. An energy-efficient AC, smart thermostat, and even ceiling fans can do the trick without raising your electricity bills.
Use Smart Landscaping
You can help cool your home naturally with strategic landscaping. But planting shade trees, adding pergolas, or laying down reflective ground covers can stop heat from entering your home.
Wrapping Up
Don’t wait until summer to know your home’s limits. These upgrades create a more energy-efficient, durable, and comfortable living space. So, get started now and have a cooler, less stressful summer!