No matter how far in denial one might be, winter is here – and there is nothing quite as jolting as a strong draft. This is the weather for snuggling by a fire or space heater, not worrying about being blasted with an unwanted current of icy winter wind.
There are a lot of different options depending on your needs – however, it’s best to start at the beginning: take a look at your windows. Make sure you have a nice and solid storm window if at all possible. A good quality frame, maintained well, should last upwards of 40 years – the glass will have the same life span (thisoldhouse.com/windows).
We’re a little beyond replacing windows at this stage in the season – but if needed, make it your first priority once spring and warmer weather arrive. It’s an investment you won’t regret.
If the window is not going to be actively used, it can be sealed with caulk. For anyone unfamiliar, caulking is a liquid sealant available at most hardware stores. Seal the entire window in place with a thin bead up and down the seams of the frame and it will largely be airtight. Should the time come that you wish to open the window, the dried caulk can be loosened fairly easily with a utility or putty knife and pulled away with your fingers or a pair of pliers.
Should certain gaps or holes in the window frame be the source of the problem, you can easily spot-treat those holes with caulk or a similar filler, rather than sealing the entire window. The scope of the solution is relative to the problem: how airtight are your windows?
Weather stripping is another solution. Weather stripping is a roll of foam material, very thin in diameter and usually self-adhesive, which can be applied to various junctures of the window and window frame area to insulate. Weather stripping can be purchased for a low price mark at most hardware stores. Application is fairly self-explanatory, but there’s no harm in consulting the internet to make sure you didn’t miss any hard-to-reach places: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/do-it-yourself-savings-project-weatherstrip-double-hung-or-sash-windows.
Last but not least, you can seal your windows for the late autumn and winter seasons with plastic – yes, you heard that correctly. This article from Energy Star provides a fairly comprehensive guide to shrink-wrapping your windows. Though to a certain degree you can DIY your materials, most larger home and garden/contracting retailers carry pre-fabricated plastic window kits. The basic process is simple – secure the sheet plastic in place with double-sided tape and heat it with a heat source like a hair dryer or heat gun, shrinking it until it’s taut. Though not fool-proof, this is another solid layer of protection against the winter cold, often best paired with other options like caulk sealant.
No matter what direction you choose, its important to properly care for your windows and ensure that you and your family are warm and cozy for the winter season.
by Andy Haman
