Winterizing Your Windows
10/17/2014 8:36:00 AM
With summer behind us and snow already beginning to fall in some areas of the country, it is time to start thinking about ways to keep your home warm and your energy bills low. For millions of Americans, old drafty and inefficient windows let the biting winter air into their homes—creating cold spots and raising their energy bills.
To help you combat these issues, here are four simple tips to winterize your home and improve comfort and efficiency.
#1: Caulking
Caulking your windows is an easy and inexpensive winterization method. To determine if your windows need a fresh coat of caulk, put a candle in front of your windows and slowly move it across the width of the frame. If the candle flickers or is extinguished, this means that your windows are allowing air infiltration. Apply a layer of caulk around the window and test again.
#2: Rubber Weather Seals
Rubber weather seals are another simple and inexpensive way to get your windows ready for winter. Rubber weather sealing is available at nearly any hardware store and can be installed in minutes. Simply cut strips to fit your window and then peel and stick them to your window to fill any gaps.
#3: Window Insulation Film
You’ve likely seen this in hardware stores before. It is a plastic shrink wrap film that fits over the interior or exterior of your window frame. Cut the film to size, then use a hair dryer to shrink the film. This will prevent the infiltration of air into your home, reducing or eliminating drafts.
There are several downsides to window installation film, however. It can require some patience to install, it can make your windows look cloudy or bubbly, and you cannot open your windows without destroying the film.
#4: Heavy Curtains
Heavy curtains are a popular choice for people trying to prevent cold air from entering the main living areas of the home. Although they can be effective, curtains block the sunlight—which acts as a natural source of heat during the day as it passes through your windows.
#5 Draft Snakes
Draft snakes are a fabric snake-shaped object that can be placed on a window seal to form a barrier between the window and the interior of your home. They can be found at most major retail stores, or you can easily create one yourself by filling fabric with an insulating material.
Energy Efficient Replacement Windows
Any of these five options is an effective and inexpensive way to winterize your windows, but none are a great alternative to brand new energy efficient replacement windows. Replacing your home’s windows with newer, more energy efficient windows will greatly cut down not only on cold winter drafts in your home, but also heat loss—resulting in lower energy bills.
Find Energy Efficient Windows in Your Area
To maximize comfort and energy savings this winter, contact us directly or find a Weather Shield dealer near you to inquire about brand new replacement windows!