Home Exterior Repair For Seniors

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When considering home exterior repair for seniors, whether you're helping the folks or still able to do it yourself, you want to know if it makes sense economically, functionally, and esthetically. These are the exterior home repairs that we think make the most sense for seniors:

Caulk all your doors and windows regularly to stop air leakage.
Windows - If you have single pane glass windows with old fashioned storm windows on the outside consider changing the window sash to an insulated glass sash. You do not rip out the old frames saving the cost of exterior or interior modifications. The windows will be more energy efficient and look better and this modernizes your home.

Remember, tax credits and rebates are available for some of these items. Check with your accountant about the tax credits and your utility company or contractors about rebates for high efficiency equipment, insulation, etc.

One of the more important home exterior repair items that is of interest to seniors, is replacing a storm door. It can provide many benefits to your home, like adding years to the outward finish and surface of ...
... your entry door, it helps to insulate and weatherproof your entry door, it provides additional security, and it improves the appearance of your house, all at the same time.

When you buy your storm door, look for a model that has a solid inner core, low-maintenance finish, and a seamless outer shell. You can find a storm door to complement just about any house style. Look closely at your current door, however. If it juts out beyond the trim by even the slightest amount, you'll have a bit of extra carpentry to do. Take off the trim and replace it with a new layer of wood thick enough so that the door no longer juts out. Nail the trim to the new layer of wood. The other steps that will need to be followed with the directions included with the storm door.

For your exterior home repair, it is recommend that you call a handyman vs. doing it yourself. Usually you don't have the expertise, the tools, the time or aren't comfortable handling many home repair and maintenance chores. As you know, over the last few years, we've had lots of storms and high winds which are causing lots more damage to your home than possibly you've seen in 10 or more years. Some problems can be avoided by monitoring the condition of your roof and replacing it before you suffer water leaks and interior damage.

Other problems are simply nature running its course, as sometimes it's the wind hitting your home at just the right angle to lift off some roofing shingles or in this case, the aluminum trim that wraps the wood right below your roof. We had several storms over the last few months and homeowners as they're now getting outside are beginning to uncover the damage.

When looking for a contractor to help you with the exterior repair for a senior's home, they will often appreciate a person who knows something about home construction and can describe the problem, so they know exactly the tools to bring. Often times a repair person can't possibly fit everything into their van so the more detailed information provided while talking on the phone, the better prepared they are when they arrive to do the job.