How to Weatherproof Windows

Sooner or later, the windows in any home are going to develop a draft. The smallest leaks or gaps in your window can cause particular rooms to get very warm or very cold, depending on the season. Windows that aren’t sealed correctly can cause more than discomfort, as they can also increase your energy bills.

There are a multitude of different windows out there, and all of them can develop these leaks. Depending on the age of the windows and the frames, the best answer might be replacing those drafty windows with a new set of Amerimax Windows in Denver. However, there might be some cost efficient measure you can take to stretch the life of your current windows. Weatherproofing your windows can be done by the homeowner, and here are a few simple tips to weatherproofing your windows.

Quick & Easy Frame Seal

There are a number of items that can help you improve the seal around your windows. This is the area where the most cracks gaps happen, and these simple fixes can help get that seal back to keeping the air out. Things like foam tape, felt strips, or V-strips. Most of these can be cut to match the exact size of your window frame and placed around the seal of the frame, increasing the viability of the seal.

Foam tape has an adhesive backing to be attached to your window sashes. It’s also sold in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Felt strips are an inexpensive option sold in rolls, and can be reinforced with metal strips. However, these aren’t ideal for areas that are exposed to excessive moisture or friction. V-strips also come with adhesive backing, but some are designed to be held in place with nails. Nailed-in V-strips are generally more secure, but are also more difficult to install.

Other Easy Options for Weatherproofing

Window film is another easy way to help insulate your home, especially in the colder months. This film looks a lot like the plastic wrap used in the kitchen, but can be a substantial buffer between the warm air inside and the cold air that’s trying to get in from the outside. This film is simply placed over your windows and then heated with warm air (a blow dryer works) to shrink to the space.

One of the easiest ways to maximize heat retention is to apply caulking around the window frames. This can be done on the exterior of the house as well as the interior, as long as the proper caulking is used for both instances. You’ll want to do this when the weather is nice, to give the caulking the best chance to set correctly. Filling the cracks around a window frame with a solid, continuous bead of caulking can eliminated drafts from your windows.

Weatherproofing your windows can make your home more comfortable, and save you some money on utility bills. For more information on how to make sure your windows are prepared for any season, reach out to the experts at JDI Windows today.