If you have lived on the west coast for your entire life, you may have never experienced a snowy Christmas. But, when you are determined to buy a home in an area that gets a lot of snow, it is inevitable that you will have your wish come true in no time at all. Buying a home in such a climate means that you should pay attention to specific house features to end up satisfied. It is easy to think about your personal wants and needs and completely forget about what is good for the climate.

Insulated Garage Door

By picking a property that has an insulated garage door, you will be able to use the space all year long. In wintertime, a non-insulated garage door may have you freezing in your garage. The only way to combat this is to go out in the garage with enough clothing to handle the outside temperatures. If you want to do your laundry, work on projects, or use the garage as an extra living space, insulation is crucial. A garage door with an R-value of 12 to 18 is a good place to start during your hunt for a house.

Thin Driveway

Wide driveways are sometimes desirable because they give you ample space to park your vehicle. But, the problem with great width in a snowy climate is that it becomes such a chore to shovel snow. You have to shovel most or all of the snow off of the driveway, and then you cannot just toss the snow to the side. A wide driveway will require you to pick up the snow and move it off the driveway until it is clear.

Ideal Window Types

Freezing temperatures are fine when they are outside, as long as you have the right clothing. But, when they start creeping into your home because of poor insulation, you need to bundle up or spend a considerable amount of money to run the heating system. So, it is helpful to look for windows that excel in cold climates, such as double-hung or casement-style, as they keep the cold air outside.

Specific Exterior Doors

Excellent windows will help to improve insulation in your home, but the exterior doors matter as well. While you might like the look of wooden doors, steel and fiberglass are your best choices in the cold. This will prevent the inside from frosting up, and it will help you keep your energy costs down.

Looking for certain features with homes in a cold climate will help you end up as a happy homeowner. Talk to an agent, like Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, for more help.