AC troubles, roof repairs and finding the best option for a window replacement can be overwhelming. Thankfully, we have the answers here on the October 21st edition of The KTSA Home Improvement Show.
AC Improvement
John called in with concerns about whether or not he should replace his indoor AC units since he plans to replace his outdoor AC units. The short answer to his concern is yes – it is better to replace both the outside and inside A/C unit when doing a full A/C replacement, and there are a few good reasons for doing so:
- The condenser unit needs to be matched up with the air handler.
- The outside unit and inside unit needs to be compatible with each other.
It’s important to make sure the condenser unit matches with the air handler to get the maximum efficiency for your money. Thanks John!
Window replacement
Glenn had a question concerning the replacement of his steel casement windows and asked if aluminum was the best option. The short answer is no – vinyl windows perform the best. We actually used to do aluminum windows 25 years ago because they were the best at the time, but times have changed and the best value for your money would be vinyl windows. Vinyl windows simply offer better thermal break at a less expensive price.
Roof repair
James called and said his home had a lot of shingles and metal ripped off the roof from Hurricane Harvey. He asked if it was better to tear off the shingles first and then set the tin – or strip his roof with 2x4s and apply some foam insulation before setting the tin again.
From a construction standpoint, it would be better to take the shingles off and add some red rosin paper, then go back to the decking. You may get a moderate amount of value by applying the insulated foam, but we’re skeptical about it because it provides lift to allow another storm to take the metal off. Also, by applying lighter-colored shingles, less heat will be absorbed, which will most likely solve the heat issue.
