Now Available at Cleveland Lumber: AZEK Shingle Siding with PaintPro® Technology

Cleveland Lumber is excited to announce that we are adding AZEK Shingle Siding with PaintPro® Technology to our line of product offerings. Customers frequently visit our store searching for durable, low-maintenance products that will last a lifetime. AZEK Shingle Siding provides all of the timeless beauty of traditional wood siding without the constant maintenance.

The AZEK shingle comes in two styles, straight and staggered. The product is designed with cut keyways of varying widths and a vertical woodgrain pattern to provide a natural wood shingle aesthetic. According to the manufacturer, installers do not need special tools to install the siding product, and there is no need to seal cut edges and scrapes for water protection.

“AZEK Shingle Siding features the texture of cedar shingles and has performance benefits of rot-proof PVC building materials,” Joe Ochoa, president of AZEK Building Products, said in a news release earlier this year. “Leveraging our innovative new PaintPro Technology, AZEK Shingle Siding offers a rapid dry time, superior paint adhesion, and a painted finish that lasts without needing touch-ups or frequent maintenance.” Delivering classic beauty with superior durability has never been so effortless.

If you would like more information on the AZEK Shingle Siding, please contact our sales staff by phone at (216) 961-5550 ext. 3 or email at sales@clevelandlumber.com. For even more information on this product, please visit the Featured Residential products page on our website.

Benefits of James Hardie Siding

When it comes to house siding, not all brands are equal. That is doubly true when you live in the Northeast Ohio region, where Greater Cleveland endures harsh winters and sharp seasonal temperature shifts. Inclement weather can take a toll on siding over time. That is why at Cleveland Lumber, we’re proud to offer our customers what we believe is one of the top siding options available today—James Hardie siding. These are just a few of the many benefits of choosing Hardie siding for your new home construction or remodel:

• Variety of Color Options Available. Hardie Siding uses ColorPlus technology to provide color options and lasting color treatment. There are a variety of colors available for planks, panels and shingles and a separate set of options for trim. Colors range from light mist gray to mountain sage and traditional red, allowing you to match your vision and style preferences.
• Reputation for High Quality. HardiePlank lap siding received the Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute in 2013, a mark of quality given only after rigorous evaluation by a team of scientists, engineers, and researchers.

• Long-lasting Durability. Hardie siding and trim are uniquely designed and engineered to withstand their climate, from hot temperatures to heavy ice and snow, without losing its appearance and color. This quality makes it an ideal choice for Cleveland homeowners and a sought-after product by area contractors.

Are you interested in using Hardie siding products for your new home or renovation? Contact the team at Cleveland Lumber today to learn more and speak to a product representative.

Summer Is Right Around the Corner!

This summer, Cleveland Lumber wants to be your one-stop source for high-quality materials and products. Whatever you need to complete your summer projects, we will help you find.

Planning for a new deck?

A successful deck project relies on two main things—a solid deck design and the right materials. From the decking boards and the railings to custom built stairs, Cleveland Lumber has the top products you need to complete the job. We have a variety of pressure-treated and composite decking materials that offer longevity and low maintenance. Some of our most popular products include Trex, MoistureShield, TimberTech, and Fiberon. Fiberon is our newest offering and is an eco-friendly wood alternative that offers the natural appeal of real hardwood.

Ready to add a much-needed garage?

Start your garage planning at Cleveland Lumber. We provide customized garage packages that include the highest quality materials as well as clear, easy to follow directions. Make summer 2017 the summer of adding essential space and function to your home—we’ll help!

Tackling a custom woodworking project?

Come to us for the highest quality, widest selection of lumber—including dimensional lumber, mouldings, and panels, in Greater Cleveland. We also have a variety of tools in stock, like the leading DeWalt FlexVolt line.

Upgrading your kitchen?

Summer is a nice time of year to tackle a kitchen remodeling project. Of course, the key to any new kitchen is the cabinetry—cabinets define your style and set the tone of your new design. Cleveland Lumber carries a versatile selection of cabinets, including Kitchen Kompact, Aristokraft, and Legacy by Debut. Talk to us about your vision for your kitchen, and we’ll make sure you have access to the best products.

Have another project in mind? Just contact our team or stop by our location and let us know how we can help. Keep our Blueprint Takeoff program in mind, as well. Simply upload your blueprints, pay for your print, and one of our qualified estimators will create a materials list for your project!

Why Choose Hardie Siding?

Hardie siding is America’s top siding choice, and we’re proud to offer it at Cleveland Lumber! But what makes James Hardie siding so different from other siding choices? Two words: fiber cement.

Fiber cement, a combination of sand, cement, and cellulose fibers, was invented by James Hardie Building Products, and is used today in all of their siding products. Fiber cement is incredibly durable, resists pests, avoids moisture and rot damage, and stands up against even the most extreme weather conditions. When compared to the other two leading siding materials, wood and vinyl, James Hardie fiber cement siding wins every time.

Pests

While vinyl siding does offer some protection against pests, wood siding attracts insects and birds who are attracted to wood, mainly, woodpeckers and termites. Fiber cement siding won’t be damaged by any creatures that would normally wreak havoc on other types of siding.

Moisture

Wood siding is very volatile under wet conditions, risking expansion, buckling, cracking, or molding after repeated bouts of rain. Vinyl siding is much more waterproof, but the installation process leaves you at risk for leaks, meaning your home interior can suffer water damage. Hardie siding is specifically made to resist damage from moisture and rot.

Weather

Heat, light, and water all contribute to the aging of materials. Because we live in Northeast Ohio, we are familiar with the extreme weather conditions that come with our hot, sunny summers and cold, snowy winters. Wood can peel or crack when exposed to these conditions, and vinyl’s color can fade with overexposure to the sun. James Hardie siding not only resists warping, but comes with ColorPlus Technology that resists fading, keeping your home protected and looking beautiful for years to come.

Discover the benefits of James Hardie siding. If you want to make the switch to fiber cement siding, be sure to contact the team at Cleveland Lumber today to learn more about Hardie Siding! We look forward to helping you realize its benefits.

Design Your Dream Kitchen With Cleveland Lumber

For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of our home. For many more of us, there are probably some adjustments and changes we’d like to make to our kitchen to make it truly our “dream kitchen.” Whether it is replacing outdated cabinetry or flooring or upgrading countertops and fixtures, or more functional changes such as adding needed storage, there are no limits to the changes you can make during a kitchen remodel.

As you approach designing your dream kitchen, work with the experts at Cleveland Lumber. We can help you during every step of the process:

• Brainstorm. The first thing to do when designing your dream kitchen is the most fun. Spend some time just thinking of the changes you’d like to make! A kitchen is much more than just cabinetry and countertops. Consider the layout and functionality of the kitchen, as well as the available storage. If you will be remodeling a kitchen that you’ve lived with and used for some time, you likely already have a long list of ideas for improving its aesthetic appeal and function. Make a list of aspects of your existing kitchen that you don’t like, such as a cupboard that you cannot reach, as well as new features, such as a built-in pantry, on your wish list.

• Consider the structure. This is where the experts at Cleveland Lumber come in. We can help you completely reimagine your space, with an eye to considerations like traffic flow and space proportions. With a few suggestion changes from a trained professional, such as moving a door or a wall, you might identify new possibilities that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

• Get the best materials available. If you are tackling a kitchen remodel in Greater Cleveland, Cleveland Lumber will become your one-stop shop from everything to cabinets and lumber to tools and fixtures. We have a wide variety of kitchen cabinetry styles and colors from top manufacturers Legacy, Aristokraft, and Kitchen Kompact. We also provide elegant and modern kitchen fixtures, such as the Moen single-handle kitchen faucet with a lever-style handle, to provide the perfect finishing touch.

When you are ready to begin a kitchen remodeling project, contact Cleveland Lumber.

Trends in Kitchen Cabinetry Design

The kitchen is the heart of any home. When it becomes dated, or sorely lacks the functionality or space you need, it can be time to embark on a kitchen remodeling journey. Before you start ripping out cabinets and backsplash and coating the walls with primer, you must have a vision—or at least a couple ideas—for what you want the new, remodeled kitchen to look like. This usually begins with choosing your cabinets. You will likely be balancing a desire for something new and modern with complementing the existing style of your home. Sometimes the sheer volume of options available can be overwhelming for our customers. We’ve gathered some of the current trends we are seeing for kitchen cabinetry design to help spark your imagination and, we hope, help you fine tune your vision for your kitchen remodel.

• • Soft, neutral color schemes. We’re seeing less bold, bright colors and more soft color schemes, such as gray, white, or even light blue. Many homeowners approach a kitchen remodel with the intent to lighten up a previously dark space due to dark shades of wood and paint. Choosing an earthy, neutral color scheme for both your cabinetry and your wall color is a great way to accomplish that.

• • Simple cabinetry design. Intricate patterns, particularly on kitchen cabinets, are less popular than simple, clean designs. Many cabinetry retailers, including Legacy, are embracing this trend, offering a variety of styles and finishes to fit a client’s exact preference. The classic shaker style, which is a recessed, rectangular design, continues to be a popular choice of our customers.

• A focus on function. A beautiful kitchen that is not functional is not a good investment, for the simple reason that it will not meet your needs. When you are planning your remodel, you have an opportunity to add essential function to your kitchen. Many cabinetry providers offer functional options such as Lazy Susan corner cabinets, pullout shelving, kitchen drawers designed to hold knives or other kitchen items, and extra storage above upper cabinets.

When you decide it is time to redesign your Cleveland home’s kitchen, contact Cleveland Lumber. We will help you achieve your vision by providing the highest quality cabinetry from retailers including Legacy, Kitchen Kompact, and Aristokraft. Contact us today to get started.

Plan Your New Deck Design

It is hard not to feel inspired to tackle outdoor design projects once the warm weather finally settles in Cleveland. One of the best summer projects may be building that brand new deck that you and your family have always wanted. Right now, your future deck is just a figment of your imagination and in its place is likely an empty area of lawn. There are many steps between turning that empty space in your backyard into your dream deck, and we’re helping you determine where to start. Make sure to begin the process with these steps:

Visualize your dream deck. It can be difficult to visualize something in your mind without putting it on paper. At the very least, make a rough sketch of the shape and size of the deck you want. There are also free tools available online that will allow you to choose your deck color, finish and style and then view a digitized version of it.

Determine the color and style of your deck. Before you begin to view and choose your decking material, make some initial decisions about the color and style of your deck. Many people forget just how many options there are to choose from for decking materials—everything from wide to narrow planks, dark or light wood, aluminum railings, custom stairs, and so on. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, you will be glad to rule out some options before you begin your product search.

Choose your decking material. Unless you choose to go with a unique option such as deck tiles, you will likely need to choose between pressure-treated wood and composite decking materials. The biggest difference between the two is that composite decking is a blend of wood particles and plastic, which makes it resistant to rotting or deterioration and therefore very low maintenance. Cleveland Lumber has one of the best selections of pressure-treated decking and composite decking materials in Cleveland.

Consult with a professional. The reality is that your new deck needs to fit logistically within the confines of your existing landscape and the shape and scope of your backyard. You will want to consult with a professional prior to the project start to confirm the exact measurements.

Ready to start your deck building project in Cleveland? Come on in to Cleveland Lumber for expert advice and access to a wide selection of top decking materials from brands like Trex, TimberTech, and MoisureShield. Contact our knowledgeable team with any questions.

Tackle These Home Remodeling Projects This Summer

When you live in Greater Cleveland and deal with cold, harsh Northeast Ohio winters, you appreciate even more the summer months and the opportunity they provide to finally tackle home remodeling projects. Perhaps there is a project that you started a while ago and just haven’t finished. Maybe it’s time to start the kitchen remodel you’ve been saving and planning for the past few years. Whatever the project, Cleveland Lumber can provide the highest quality lumber and building materials for your project, along with our expertise and guidance.

Tackle these home remodeling projects this summer with the help of Cleveland Lumber:

New garage. Would a new garage add critical space and function to your Cleveland home? Using one of our comprehensive garage building packages, you can build a new garage in the style of your existing home in the size that best meets your needs. Perhaps you need space to a store a boat, trailer, or lawn care equipment, or your home lacks a garage to house your vehicles. Our garage packages include easy-to-follow instructions and all the materials and hardware you will need to complete the build.

Brand new deck build. A new deck build is a great project to tackle in the summer, with longer days to work and typically longer stretches of sun and clear skies. The place to start with a new deck is the design. For example, how big do you want your deck to be? Do you want it to be multi-level or one-level? What materials and colors do you want to use? There is a lot to determine before you even begin to gather materials. Cleveland Lumber is available to help you plan your deck design and then ensure you have the exact materials you need. We carry lumber and composite decking materials from Trex, Timbertech, and MoistureShield.

New windows. Old windows that are in need of repair and provide no energy efficiency can be a drain on your energy bill. Making the decision to upgrade your home with new, energy efficient windows will have a significant return on investment, both in the value of your home and in your energy savings over time. Cleveland Lumber offers the highest quality products from top manufacturers Andersen, Sprouse, and Simonton. Or, maybe you aren’t ready for a complete window replacement and instead want to repair some of your existing windows. Our window repair specialists can repair wood sashes, vinyl windows, aluminum windows and more.

Kitchen remodel. When you are ready to take the first step toward building your dream kitchen, make Cleveland Lumber your first stop. One of the most critical elements of any new kitchen design will be the materials you use—in particular the kitchen cabinets. Cleveland Lumber carries classic and contemporary lines of kitchen cabinets from Kitchen Kompact, Aristokraft and Legacy by Design. Stop by our location to peruse some of the available style options for your kitchen as you begin your remodeling plans.

We look forward to helping you renew your Cleveland home with any one of these remodeling projects. Do not hesitate to call on our knowledgeable and experienced staff for advice and assistance in selecting the very best materials for your project. Call or stop by our Madison Avenue location today!

When the weather in Cleveland finally warms up, many of us feel inspired to tackle those home improvement projects we thought about during the winter. Spring is a great time to give your home some needed maintenance and upgrades. Here are some of our top suggestions for essential home projects for the spring:

Clean your gutters. This may not be your favorite household chore, but it is essential. Clean, unobstructed gutters mean that they can serve their purpose—keeping water away from your home and protecting you from leaks or even flooding. Make sure leaves and debris are thoroughly removed from gutters and downspouts. The first time it rains after cleaning, check to ensure that water is draining properly.

Upgrade your thermostat. A smart thermostat like the Honeywell Lyric manages your home’s temperature automatically—and contributes significantly to energy savings. This device can use your smartphone location to adjust the temperature as you come and go.

Repair or replace worn weather stripping. There are major year-round cost savings to be had from this simple task. Over time, weather stripping around doors and windows can become worn down, allowing air to travel into and out of your home. Replace the weather stripping and keep cool air inside your home this summer—lowering your energy bill.

Replace door hardware for a new look. One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to give your home interior and exterior a facelift is by installing new door fixtures and handles. You will be surprised how a new fixture can transform the look of your home. New door hardware is available in styles like Venetian bronze, satin nickel and polished brass. If you are looking for a major change, consider installing decorative barn or sliding doors to add style and privacy to a doorway.

If your spring maintenance checklist involves tackling larger projects, like a deck build or a garage package installation, turn to Cleveland Lumber for your material needs.

As you plan your deck building project, one of the most central questions you have to answer is whether you want to use traditional wood or a composite decking material. Each material is unique, but we believe you will find that composite decking offers many advantages over wood. These are five of the top advantages of composite decking:

• Composite decking offers exact, uniform coloring. Many homeowners love that a composite decking product has a uniform color and style across every board. As an added bonus, unlike wood, composite decking does not fade, meaning the color you choose for your deck design today will remain the same for years to come, never appearing dull or faded by the sun.
• Composite decking will not splinter or crack. If you walk on a wood deck barefoot, you risk a splinter—but that is not the case when walking on a composite deck. Composite decking materials are composed primarily of hard plastic, and unlike wood, this material will not splinter or crack. In fact, composite decking was created to eliminate the problems that occur with regular wood decking, namely splintering. Splintering and cracking are primary reasons why wood decks need to be routinely sealed.
• Composite decking offers the same strength as wood. Composite decking is not a weaker or less resistant option for a deck than wood. Quite the opposite, composite decking offers just as much, if not more, strength than wood. You will find many composite decks in various locations that require durability. For example, some brands of composite decks are more resistant to sea salt and are ideal for oceanfront properties.
• Composite decking requires less maintenance for the long-term. This type of decking material does cost more initially than wood decking materials, but you will save substantial money in maintenance in the long-term. A wood deck may be less expensive to build, but it will cost you more money each season in upkeep maintenance and any necessary repairs than a composite deck. The maintenance required for a composite deck is simply a thorough wash or hose down every once in a while.
• Composite decking is available from many brands to fit your unique needs. There are many composite decking providers, meaning you have many styles and colors from which to choose for your project. Cleveland Lumber Company provides composite decking materials from three top brands:
  • TimberTech composite decking
  • Trex composite decking
  • MoistureShield composite decking, including MoistureShield Vantage

Questions about using composite decking materials in your new deck design project? Give the team at Cleveland Lumber Company a call today to learn more about the products we have available.

Are you dealing with a particularly problematic window, perhaps one that is very difficult to open and close or one that has an obviously rotted wood frame? If so, you are likely considering this question: Should I replace or repair my home’s old windows?

Some homeowners believe that the only way to solve a window problem is to replace their home’s current windows. In some cases, if a window’s frame is completely rotted or the pane of glass completely shattered, replacement may be the best option. However, some old windows can be repaired at substantial cost savings to a complete replacement. If you live, for example, in an old Cleveland home and want to preserve the historic character of your home, you may be especially inclined to keep the existing windows if at all possible.

This is an important debate, as your home’s windows perform essential functions. If a window becomes damaged, or you to start to notice air leaking into your home around a window’s frame, you need to address the issue sooner rather than later. These are just a few of the common window problems that can usually be addressed with expert window repair.

• Rotted Wood Window Frames: Over time, the wood framing around your windows can deteriorate. When this occurs, water or air can leak into your home—neither of which is preferable! If the rotted wood damage is isolated to one or two spots, the window frame can be repaired.

• Broken Window Panes: Sometimes, window glass can break. While broken or cracked glass can occur from obvious sources, like an ill-directed swing of a baseball bat during a neighborhood game or heavy hail during a severe thunderstorm, glass can also crack if it has deteriorated over time. If your home has custom windows, repair is likely the more cost effective option, rather than a complete window replacement.

• Problematic Windows: Sometimes you move into an older home and realize that some of the windows simply will not open. Perhaps they have been painted shut, or so much dirt or grime accumulated in the window tracks that the hardware has broken. Fortunately, companies that specialize in window repair carry replacement hardware that can be used to repair these windows, rather than completely replace them.

Wondering whether you should repair or replace your old windows? Our window repair specialists are happy to talk to you and offer guidance. When you need expert window repair in Cleveland, call the experienced team at Cleveland Lumber Company.

Are you planning a deck building project for one of your spring maintenance projects? If so, you may be weighing your options for materials. There is pressure treated decking, which is wood that has been saturated with a chemical solution. There is also composite decking, a blend of plastic and wood particles which has become increasingly popular for deck construction. Why is composite decking such a preferred choice? Consider these benefits:

1. Longevity. A composite deck, again, is made of a combination of wood, vinyl, plastic, and other materials that have been recycled. That gives composite decks a much longer lifespan than a traditional wood deck. For example, a deck is often in direct sunlight, and unshielded from the elements like rain and wind. A composite deck is better equipped to handle these inclement elements.

2. Low maintenance. Sanding, staining, and sealing your wood deck can become a chore, especially because it needs to be done regularly if your deck is going to keep its like-new appearance. Wood decking can also crack, splinter and rot—all problems that simply are not as troublesome with composite decking materials. You will need to keep your composite deck clean to avoid stains or mold forming on the surface, but it will not be a regular maintenance grind like a wood deck requires.

3. Safe surface for bare feet. Wood decks often cause splinters. With a composite deck, you and guests can walk around in your bare feet without fear of a splinter. Another bonus is that composite decking materials are smooth surfaces that do not become overheated, like wood decks do on hot summer days, plus they are slip-resistant, ideal if your deck is located near a pool or hot tub.

4. Resistant to fading. If you neglect to stain and seal your beautiful wood deck, it will fade to grey after years of use. No one wants a dull, dated deck. Composite decking is a popular choice because all of the boards that form your deck will be uniform in color and appearance, and will not fade over the years.

5. Natural resistance to pests and rotting. Pressure treated wood is infused with pesticides and other chemicals in order to protect it against pests or rotting. Composite decking, because of its inherent makeup of various materials, has a natural resistance to both pests and rotting, giving a homeowner peace of mind.

Learn more about composite decking by speaking to a member of the sales team at Cleveland Lumber Company. We carry composite decking materials from top brands like Trex, TimberTech, and MoistureShield.

Whether you are building a new home or renovating your current home, the selection of windows is a very important process. After all, your windows serve a variety of functions both inside and outside your home. Windows let light in your home, and allow an outside view. They help control the temperature inside your home. And, they contribute to the exterior style and appeal of your home.

If you are selecting windows for a new home, think about their desired function. If you are selecting replacement windows for your current home, think about what you like and dislike about your current windows. Consider these questions:

• Do you need more natural light?
• Is there a beautiful outside view you want to showcase?
• Are you concerned about privacy?
• What look or style do you want to achieve?

Another one of your primary concerns is most likely your new windows’ energy efficiency, as this will determine whether you see any significant cost savings on your home energy bill. When selecting a new energy efficient window for your home, you will need to carefully consider the window frames, the type of glass, and the U-value.

Frames: Window frames are available in a variety of materials, from vinyl and wood to aluminum and fiberglass. Depending on the climate and environment where you live, a certain material for the window frame might be better than another.

Type of glass: Single pane glass is generally outdated and best suited for areas that experience mostly mild temperatures. In fact, if your current windows are single pane glass, they likely should be replaced. Double pane glass is thicker and helps your home retain heat. Triple pane glass provides significant insulation that will lead to savings in your heating bill over time, but at an up-front cost: These windows are also more expensive. This might be a good investment if you plan to stay in your home for the foreseeable future, but not if you do not plan to stay in your home long-term.

U-value: The U-value is a measurement of your window’s thermal conductivity. If your window has a low U-value, it is a better insulating window. This is important as it will determine your windows’ energy efficiency.

After you determine your preferences, you can begin looking at styles and designs that complement your home. Need help navigating the many choices for windows? Contact the team at Cleveland Lumber Company today. Cleveland Lumber represents and services top manufacturers including Andersen Windows and Doors, Sprouse Windows and Doors, and Simonton Windows. Call today!

For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is the place where family gathers, friends are entertained, and delicious meals are enjoyed. Over time, however, your kitchen can become dated and worn from years of use. If your kitchen lacks modern, innovative storage or the luxuries of contemporary design, it might be time to consider new kitchen cabinetry. Choosing new cabinets will require you to balance functionality and design with cost in order to find the cabinets that work for your home and your budget.

Start by thinking of your preferences for style and material. Do you want your kitchen to be contemporary? Rugged with a country feel? Traditional? Your unique taste will likely determine the type of cabinet construction you choose, such as:

• Shaker: The Shaker style of furniture originated with a religious sect commonly referred to as the Shakers. They favored simplicity, which is evident in the design, which is very clean and simple.
• Flat: Flat panel cabinets, also known as slab door cabinets, have a solid frame and a flat panel.
• Inset: Inset cabinetry is reminiscent of Victorian design. The doors and drawers fit inside the cabinet frame, with a small space between components.
• Cathedral: This style is similar to a flat panel cabinet except for a single arch, hence the name “Cathedral.”

Your color preference will inform your cabinet material selection. For example, many woods provide varying colors and shades best suited for certain styles. Oak is available in light and dark tones and has a grainy texture, making it ideal for country or traditional kitchens. Maple can be found in rich, dark shades or light tones, and is often chosen for contemporary kitchen styles. Hickory is a rustic yet durable option.

Once you have determined your style and material preference, you can explore options available from a number of highly regarded cabinetry manufacturers. Cleveland Lumber Company represents top kitchen cabinetry manufacturers including:

• Aristokraft Cabinets: Available in a wide variety of styles and finishes to ensure that your cabinetry fits your vision
• Kitchen Kompact: Styles and options for every budget and design preference
• Legacy by Debut: Cabinets with beautiful finishes and architectural detailing
• Marsh Cabinets: Handcrafted quality cabinets available in many different colors, finishes and glazes
• Yorktown: American-made cabinetry featuring innovative storage

As you plan your new kitchen design, let the sales professionals at Cleveland Lumber help you find the kitchen cabinetry, hardware and other materials you need for a successful kitchen renovation. Call today to learn more!

Winter in the Cleveland area can be brutally cold, with temperatures dipping to the single digits and below. If your home is not equipped with new, energy-saving windows, you might lose a significant amount of heat during the winter. In turn, that means not only will you fight drafts in your home all winter long, but your heating bills will rise as your furnace or heating system struggles to heat your home. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve the efficiency of your windows and reduce heating loss this winter, including:

• Sealing holes or cracks around windows. If there are gaps between the glass, sash, and frame of your windows, both warm and cold air can enter your home. Air seepage, even in small increments, can negatively affect the efficiency of your windows. In the winter, it can let in excess cold air. If your solution is turning up the furnace, your furnace must work harder to heat your home—and you will see an increase in your monthly energy bill. An easy do-it-yourself solution to address this problem is using caulk or weather stripping, a material commonly made from plastic and rubber, to seal the areas letting in drafts.

• Installing window treatments. Window treatments have a purpose beyond being a decorative feature of your home. Treatments such as insulated draperies or pull-down shades can also be used to insulate your home. This helps to reduce loss of heat through cold drafts. As an added bonus, in the summer, the draperies provide a cooling effect by blocking sunlight from entering your home. Of course, if at any time during the winter you want to let the sunlight in, you can do so very easily by opening the drapes or releasing the shade.

• Using plastic film to cover windows and patio doors. There are many homeowner do-it-yourself kits available to use plastic film to reduce heating loss through your windows. Using a kit, you can cover windows and patio doors with a plastic shrink film. This film is applied to the interior side of the window or door frame using a double-stick tape, and then usually heated with a hair dryer, shrinking the film and getting rid of any wrinkles or bumps in the plastic.

If these efficiency tricks do not work, and you are struggling with high heating bills, it might be time for new windows, available at Cleveland Lumber. New windows are designed to be energy efficient. Cleveland Lumber represents several window manufacturers, including Andersen, Sprouse, and Simonton. Contact Cleveland Lumber today to speak to a qualified sales representative about the best windows for your home.