Exterior Remodeling Projects to Increase Energy Efficiency

Sep 27, 2021

 

A key component of considering exterior home improvements is to enhance a home’s energy efficiency. With that in mind, Scott Cline, J&B Construction owner, offers his ideas regarding exterior renovations to make your home energy efficient.

Roofing/Attic System

A roofing system is a home’s first line of defense against the elements, which is why it’s so important to closely examine roofing system’s condition, especially with fall here and winter around the corner. That said, if you notice the roof is damaged, i.e., there’s broken or missing shingles, or worse, leaks are present inside the home, you can conclude that the roof is the root cause of major energy loss in your home, and repair or replacement is imminent. “Furthermore, your attic plays an integral role in your home’s roofing system and could be a culprit of significant energy loss as well,” Scott said. “If a new roofing system is necessary, this will likely include new attic insulation, which is crucial as it protects the home from excessive heat, cold, and moisture.”

Attic insulation also helps maintain a comfortable indoor air temperature throughout the livable areas of the home despite extreme temperatures and even snow and ice. Attic ventilation is also necessary to ensure the attic does not become overly hot in the summertime and warp roofing materials. “Ultimately, a new roofing system will minimize the strain placed on your home’s HVAC system, thus lowering your energy bills,” he said.

Windows

If your home’s windows are showing clear signs of failing, which typically includes difficult operation, drafts, cracks or chips, or the regular formation of condensation in between windowpanes,

then it’s safe to assume the windows are no longer energy efficient, (which will be reflected in a home’s energy bills), and new windows are needed. “Equipped with increased insulation, new windows can effectively keep a home cool and comfortable in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter,” said Scott. “Additionally, many Energy Star certified windows are coated with low-emissivity coatings, which are designed to reduce UV sun damage to flooring, furniture, and more.”

Exterior Doors

Whether a draft is detected when standing next to an exterior door, you can see sunlight seeping through the perimeter of the door when closed, or you notice condensation regularly forming on the door’s windowpanes, you can conclude your exterior door has become an energy waster. “This is especially true if your exterior door has exceeded its life expectancy, as older doors tend not to be properly insulated,” he said. “Conversely, today’s exterior doors are often made from steel or fiberglass, which are optimal insulators and yield tremendous energy savings.”

Siding

If a home’s siding is older and showing obvious signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, tears, warping, or rot, you can be confident that installing new siding will considerably improve the home’s overall energy efficiency. More specifically, new siding will increase the R-value of a home’s exterior, which identifies how well a type of insulation can keep heat from leaving or entering a home, translating into lower energy bills. “Insulated vinyl siding is particularly beneficial in terms of maximizing energy efficiency.” Scott said. “One of the most popular siding materials on the market, vinyl siding requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to rot and insects.”

To improve your home’s energy efficiency and give your home an exciting new look, call J&B Construction at 262-437-0537 or complete our online contact form.

#     #     #

Enjoy Peace Of Mind
 The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em. 
 We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project. 
 J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them. 
 My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done. 
 We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future. 
BBB
NARI
GAF
energy star
"We keep the Outdoors....Outdoors!"

Learn More
Serving Homeowners Throughout The Milwaukee Suburbs & Southeast Wisconsin
J&B Construction

W140 N10589 Fond du Lac Ave, Unit C
Germantown, WI 53022
Get Directions

262.437.0537