For your home to stay warm during the cold weather, you should winterize the windows and doors. This will also help prevent energy loss by keeping out chilly drafts, making your home cozy, warm, energy-efficient, and save you money on heating bills.
How to Keep Cold Air Out
Start with these simple steps to prevent cold drafts from seeping through the windows and doors.
- Inspect windows- Make sure glass panes are in good shape. If there are any cracks or broken glass, they should be replaced.
- Insulate doors and windows- Insulating doors and windows by adding batt or spray foam insulation behind the window or door trim, is one of the best ways to keep cold air from entering.
- Weather stripping- Adding weather stripping to doors and windows gives added protection from drafts and cold air.
- Caulk windows and doors- An inexpensive way to keep cold out is to caulk around doors and windows to create a seal. Polyurethane caulk works best, since it’s paintable, won’t shrink, or attract dust and dirt.
How to Insulate Windows
The simple steps above are a great starting point for winterizing but there are further solutions specifically designed for winterizing windows. You can choose options that work for your home.
- Install storm windows- Adding storm windows gives extra wind protection especially during cold winter months. These allow you to install them in the winter and replace them with screens in nice weather.
- Use insulator kits- A quick and easy fix is using window insulator kits. This is an inexpensive way that can do a good job keeping out cold drafts.
- Hang thermal drapes/cellular shades- Heavy thermal lined drapes blocks drafts effectively and can be used year after year. If you don’t like the look of drapes, cellular shades are a great option with a more versatile look and can be custom fit for your windows.
- Cover basement window wells- Covering basement window wells is a great way to prevent drafts and trap in heat, which can save both energy and money.
- Buy new windows- If air leaks are a big issue, consider buying new windows with a low leakage rating, which means they have a tighter window seal.
How to Insulate Door
Winterizing doors can significantly reduce those pesky cold drafts.
- Use deadbolt- A free and easy way to insulate your door is just by locking it with a deadbolt. This pulls the door tight to strengthen the seal.
- Use draft guards- Draft guards are placed at the bottom of doors to prevent drafts from seeping in. If you don’t want to spend the money, you can use a rolled-up blanket or towel.
- Install door gaskets- Taking a step further than rubber weather stripping, is using stop mounted gaskets for insulation. These are mounted to the stop molding of the door frame and are made of aluminum.
- Buy new door- If you have an old door swap it out for a new more efficient model. You want to look for doors with a higher R-value, which refers to the door’s capacity to resist heat flow.
Using these winter weatherizing tips for your doors and windows will keep your home feeling warm and cozy through the winter months. If you need repairs or replacements of your screens or glass let our professionals at Complete Window Care help prepare your home. To learn more about our services contact us today!