How to Prevent Cold Air from Coming in Through the Windows
When the winter comes and the wind chill factor starts making life miserable, you don’t want your home windows to render your home vulnerable to cold air leaks. Even if you have an older window, there’s no reason that leaks and drafts should be entering your home and making things unpleasant. Not only do air leaks make your home uncomfortable, they could end up contributing to huge problems with your home. Your windows are here to protect you and your home, not expose you to the outdoors. If you’re dealing with old leaky windows or even new, energy-efficient models, leaks could be costing you a ton of money and a lot of unnecessary stress. From weatherstripping to reinforcing, here are a few foolproof ways of preventing cold air from getting into your home this winter.
Weatherstrip Often and Well
As a homeowner dealing with tough, long winters and a hard-to-heat home, weatherstripping is truly your best friend. Before the winter begins, preferably in late summer or fall, set aside some time to go through all your home windows and put in new weatherstripping on the borders. You can take this time to install new seals, strip away any old caulking that’s building up, and re-seal your borders to create a perfect airtight atmosphere. Your windows will work their best, and air leaks will be prevented from turning your home into a drafty ice palace.
Seal with Plastic
After weatherstripping, go the extra mile by applying window film to your windows with tape and shrinking them with a blow dryer or heated fan. This will give your windows extra protection by creating a seal that traps any escaped air before it can make its way into your home. This method is safe, cost-effective, and takes no time at all to install through your home.
Check for Cracks and Seal Failure
There’s no point in working hard to seal up a window that has structural issues of its own. Before caulking your window or doing any heavy-duty weatherstripping, always check for cracks, gas leaks, or warping along the frame. While a broken seal can be replaced easily, an issue like a crack isn’t so simple to take on. Don’t waste time on sealing a broken window when you can purchase one that’s going to save you tons of time and energy in the long run.
Install Heavy Drapes
Drapes can help turn your home into a glamorous, temperature-controlled haven if used correctly. While installing drapes without doing any other work to protect your windows from drafts isn’t the most effective solution, the right choice of drapes can go a long way when it comes to keeping in hot air and forming a strong barrier against drafts. Always go for a drape made out of a heavy, dark-colored material. These types of drapes will work best at keeping heat in a room while harnessing the power of the sun to create a warmer, cozier interior. They’ll also make your home look great while protecting against harmful UV rays.
