Winter can be a beautiful time of the year, thanks to those lovely frosty mornings with their dusting of snow. But it’s also a season that can be hard on our homes. Condensation, mould, and doors sticking and becoming damaged can all prove a testing time for homeowners.
And, if we don’t fix any issues at the time, we can be left with a hefty bill by the time spring comes around. Here are some of the most common problems and what we can do about them:
Sticking external doors
Cold weather causes wood to contract; conversely, it expands again in warm weather. All this contracting and expanding can negatively affect your front or back door, causing it to change shape and warp. It can then get stuck in the frame, making opening the door very difficult. As a result of the pushing and shoving that this involves, the hinges can become loose, and the floor becomes damaged.
Condensation on windows
It can look bad, but condensation needn’t cause you to panic. And it’s a good thing as it shows that your windows are energy efficient enough to keep the heat inside your home. To eliminate condensation, keep a window open in the kitchen when you’re cooking, remember to put the fan on when showering, and generally open the window in a room for a minute or two to let the humidity out.
@OxfordCity: “On dry days, open some windows to allow humid air to ventilate out of the house. It is better to open a few windows a little throughout the whole house. This helps the air to move through the house. One window open wide in one room may not be as effective.”
Mould on windows
If you haven’t been getting rid of the condensation on your windows, you may have mould. Is mould forming on your windows? The good news is mould isn’t that difficult to get rid of. Simply mix a mould remover in warm water and use a soft cloth to wipe the mould off the window. Once you’ve managed this, simply wipe with a dry cloth.
Poor appearance of the front door
Weather can also affect the look of your front or back door, as it can cause staining. To get rid of this on a composite door, you can give it a good wash with a cloth and detergent or stain remover. On a wooden door, it’s best to apply a stain coating every couple of years. If you’re doing it in cold weather, use an oil-based stain. That’s because they don’t rely on evaporation to dry. They’re also more likely to perform better in cold weather than water or gel-based stains.
Get in touch
One way to avoid warping and cracking of your front and back doors this winter is to invest in a new composite or PVC door. The same applies to windows, where technology means these are far more robust and energy efficient than ever before. Take a look at our impressive contemporary collections at Unicorn Windows today.