Only 2 years into home ownership, my growing project wish list is daunting. As a result, I’ve delayed some major projects — including replacing siding and windows — until later in the year. Fortunately, after two exterior upgrades over the years, my home is proof that this type of renovation can be done successfully.
Yes, there are still some things I wish I had done differently. i can do If I just made some decisions and signed contracts early to push my project forward for a few months, that calmed down a lot of worries. But renovation in winter is not impossible. Let my experience—and advice from the professionals at James Hardie and Renovation by Anderson—help you decide the right time for your projects this year.
Be prepared for a lengthy Windows installation
When dealing with anyone Outdoor projects, weather can get in the way. It’s not specific to wintertime, though — rain delays happen any time of year. A unique winter project challenge is the possibility of blizzards, below-freezing conditions, or freezing rain. “Severe winter weather can increase the risk to the safety of installers on the job or delay the delivery of materials,” says Joshua Moore, director of installation for James Hardie, a top outdoor manufacturer specializing in fiber cement siding. “If conditions are icy, most contractors will choose to stop the project to protect their installers.” Smooth surfaces can be dangerous, and cold temperatures reduce dexterity and increase the risk of frostbite while working outside for long periods of time tearing up exteriors or installing new exteriors. If you’re working with an outdoor product that requires on-site paint, outdoor temperature can also be a limiting factor. (My James Hardie siding comes pre-finished with Color Plus technology, so it can be installed with the same ability to perform in all temperatures.)
During our siding project, my project manager would check in with me in the mornings when there was a chance of rain, snow, or temperatures too low to reasonably allow anyone to work outside. The siding on our 3-story house was supposed to take at least 2 weeks to complete, but with a holiday and three rain delays, our project took a total of 24 days.
Change windows, to my surprise, don’t face the same limitations. Sure, the team can make a spot on our porch to cut wood trim as needed, but the majority of the average window replacement comes from the interior of the home. Expert window specialists replaced all 10 upper floor windows in the house in just 2 days.
Plan to be flexible with your vacation travel
When you schedule a multi-week project for the winter, it’s hard not to run into the holiday. Our siding project started the week of Thanksgiving and finished the week before Christmas. If your project timings are similar, at least try to make your vacation travel plans flexible (road trips are preferred over non-return flights) so you can stick around. Your contractors will likely take the day off, but they may not be looking forward to your annual Christmas trek to visit the in-laws for a few days. This delay can roll back completion and prevent the next task from starting.
Now, often you can work with your team to find a set of dates that work for you and their schedule. But it’s smart to budget not only for the estimated time of the project, but also for a buffer before and after those planned dates. “As with any home improvement project, it’s always best to be cautious when planning your project and commitments around the home,” says Moore. “Depending on the time of year and the risk of severe weather, allowing a 2-week buffer on either side of your timeline is probably the best way to ensure the project is fully completed before you need to leave town.”
The team’s last days on site usually include a punch list, and a good project manager will run through it with you before the job is done, even do a one-off once the job is done. These are the two walkthroughs you want to be available to do whenever possible, as this is often the last chance you have to address any issues directly with your staff before you have to sign a certificate of completion.
“Coming on site in the final days of a project is ideal because most contractors like to walk around the project to make sure everything went as you expected and to address any questions. If you have scheduling concerns, you can work with your contractor as your project nears completion. Not likely That you may want to point out one or two things before completion. (On our list, we had two storm windows that needed re-hinging, porch trim to install, and touch-ups.)
Find reliable ways to stay comfortable indoors.
Whether you’re shedding a layer of siding or drilling holes in your home to replace a window, you open your home to heat loss.
When our wood siding came down, the team also had to remove the storm windows, which were hanging from the old exterior trim. (And the original single-pane windows in our house were already leaky.) To minimize drafts, we hung thermal curtains, which we opened during the day to let in sunlight and closed in the evening to keep in the heat. We also ran space heaters in areas of the house where we spent a lot of time to avoid the urge to change the thermostat when the temperature dropped to near freezing.
Also, I’ve learned that normal window installation runs at such a clip that you won’t have holes in your exterior for long. “Professional installers work efficiently, removing the old window and installing new quickly to minimize exposure to the elements,” says Anthony Bolton, senior director of retail operations for Renewal by Anderson, an industry leader in window replacement. “They take extra steps like covering heat vents to minimize heat loss and keep debris out, closing doors to other rooms to keep the heat in, and even installing plastic barriers to seal off the work area.”
When possible, make external power sources available.
On an exterior siding job, of course, the entire job is taking place outside. This can be a multi-week process, and your team can be prepared with their own generator to run power tools and set up a temporary workstation in your driveway to keep on site until the job is done.
For our short, 2-day installation window, our team brought a pair of horses and a power saw to trim our front lawn as needed. Unfortunately, we are extremely limited on outdoor outlets, so we were forced to run an extension cord from our room out the front door, leaving it slightly off for about 6 hours a day. If you have a convenient outdoor outlet, make sure your team knows about it, so you don’t have to open your home to the elements more than necessary during a window replacement.
If you really want to install Fall, sign the contract ASAP.
Early birds get the worm — or, more commonly, their choice of dates with their choice in contractor. We spent most of the summer figuring out what materials we were interested in and what contractor and price best suited our needs and budget. We signed our siding contract in September. Hopefully Expect an October timeline; Our team started around Thanksgiving. A year later, we signed our window contract in October hoping for an early December installation but fell back on schedule just after the New Year. (We haven’t learned our lesson.)
Ultimately, your time depends on the availability of materials and the schedule of your chosen team. Renewal by Andersen windows are custom made for each home, so after consultation and measurements some manufacturing time is required. “Homeowners can track the progress of their project through renovations through Andersen’s My Project tool, which provides updates and alerts to keep them informed,” says Bolton.
My advice? Have this conversation with your outdoor professionals early to get the best estimate of time, especially if you are in a mild climate. If I could do it all over again, I’d schedule my time in my house earlier to avoid conflicts and the feeling of cold, but installing windows in early winter was a pain — and I immediately appreciated the efficiency of the new models. “Many people think of window installation as a spring or summer project, but winter offers unique opportunities,” Bolton says. Namely: “New, energy-efficient windows can immediately reduce heating costs in the colder months, as they prevent drafts and retain interior heat.
Homeowner Survival Kit
