Your home’s exterior does more than set the tone for curb appeal—it’s the first line of defense against Minnesota’s snow, rain, and summer storms. Windows, siding, and roofing together form the building envelope that keeps your house safe, efficient, and beautiful. Knowing when and how to update these elements can prevent costly issues down the road and ensure your home looks and performs its best.
Homeowners often live with windows that look “fine” on the surface but cause bigger problems behind the scenes. Warning signs include:
Rotted sills or frames
Condensation between panes
Difficulty opening or closing
Sagging headers
Outdated storm windows or inefficient mid-century glass
These issues don’t just affect comfort—they can lead to plaster damage, moisture intrusion, and higher energy bills.
Not every window looks good in every home. In high-end neighborhoods like Edina’s Country Club, maintaining architectural integrity is just as important as efficiency. Replacement involves decisions about:
Glass types and wood species
Grid patterns and finishes
Safety requirements like tempered glass or egress windows
And the real challenge lies in installation. Improper flashing, missed structural issues, or poor tie-ins with siding can cause long-term failures. With dozens of possible points of error, professional installation is critical.
Window projects range from quick to complex:
1–5 days for a few replacements with little or no additional work
3–10 weeks for full-house projects with significant additional work
When ordering windows, expect lead times of 8–12 weeks for standard products - and longer for custom sizes. Prep work—like sending windows to a paint shop in advance—can streamline installation. Since window replacement is largely impacted by the weather, consider when the best time of the year for replacement is for your family.
Window replacement isn’t a “couple hundred per opening” job. Between materials, labor, and additional work, costs are usually in the thousands per opening. Big-box store prices don’t reflect the professional labor and detailing required for lasting performance.
Most people choose to re-side for aesthetics such as outdated colors or cladding. But sometimes the push comes from necessity like hail damage, water intrusion, or rot.
Siding choices can transform a home’s look:
Lap, shakes, or board-and-batten
Brick or stucco
Accents like porticos, stone bases, or gables
Local codes, setbacks, and neighborhood covenants often limit color palettes and materials. Historic districts may have even tighter restrictions.
Minnesota’s climate puts special demands on roofing materials. Roofs must handle snow loads, ice dams, and hail without compromising safety. Risks include:
Ice sheets sliding off metal or composite roofs
Hazardous icicles
Water damage from blocked drainage
Insurance providers are increasingly steering homeowners toward hail-resistant shingles, prioritizing durability as much as appearance.
Windows, siding, and roofing don’t operate in isolation—they work together as a protective shell. When one fails, others often follow. That’s why exterior updates are best considered as part of a whole-home strategy.
Homeowners in Minneapolis, Edina, and across the Twin Cities should focus on:
Recognizing early symptoms of failure
Understanding the trade-offs of materials and aesthetics
Prioritizing professional installation to prevent costly mistakes
With thoughtful planning and expert execution, these exterior updates preserve your home’s integrity, improve efficiency, and enhance value for years to come.
MA Peterson's RefreshRepair division is specifically setup to help with your exterior projects - contact us today!