As temperatures drop, your home should serve as a warm and cozy refuge from the cold. However, aging windows and doors can compromise your comfort and cause energy bills to soar. Winterizing these critical areas not only keeps the chill out but also enhances your home’s energy efficiency, saving you money in the long run.
Whether you’re sealing gaps, upgrading hardware, or considering replacements, taking proactive steps to winterize your windows and doors is essential for creating a snug, energy-efficient home. Read on for practical tips to help you prepare for the winter season.
Steps to Take to Winterize Your Windows
If you have new windows, you’ll likely just need to keep them closed and locked to be ready for winter. But if your property’s windows are old and worn out, steps should be taken to boost their performance. Aging windows are usually quite inefficient. They often have gaps that leak uncomfortable outdoor air into your home and allow your warm indoor air to leak out.
It’s one thing for the biting cold to confront you when you step outside. It’s another when the bitter cold greets you inside your own home. Winterizing windows ensures your house is a refuge from the cold. You can hold the heat in and keep the cold out with some simple steps to ramp up window performance for winter. Here’s how:
1. Seal and Caulk Your Windows
Sealant and caulking create a barrier between your window frame and your siding. Inspect caulking and sealant before winter arrives. Look carefully at the lower corners of your windows and under joints between windows (where water often tends to invade). If moisture seeps in and freezes, it can create costly damage. If your sealant is cracked, dry, or brittle, apply new caulking to re-fortify your window’s seal.
2. Add New Weatherstripping
Reliable weatherstripping is tight and covers the space between your window sash and window frame. This decreases leaks and keeps moisture intrusion at bay. Depending on what type of window you have, install the appropriate type of weatherstripping. Adhesive-backed foam seals window gaps and leaks. Tubular rubber gaskets (rubber tubes) seal gaps. Spring V-seals create tension seals to help avoid drafts from sneaking in through your window units.
3. Make Sure Your Window Hardware Works Properly
If your window locks and latches aren’t working well, you probably won’t be able to close your windows completely. Inspect each window in your home before winter arrives. Make sure they open, close, lock, and unlock. They should also be easy to maneuver. If you have window hardware that isn’t working well, replace it. Once you ensure everything works correctly, close and lock all your windows for winter.
4. Beef Up Your Curtains to Insulate Your Home Better
Thermal curtains help keep cold outside where it belongs. They offer greater insulation because of their heavy lining. As a bonus, they keep light out of your home—which is pretty awesome when used in your bedroom.
Steps to Take to Winterize Your Doors
Seal Gaps Around Doors
If cold air is entering your home due to gaps and cracks around your doors, they should be sealed. Pay special attention to where your door frame meets your wall. If there are gaps, add caulk and/or expanding foam in spaces between the door frames. This will help improve your insulation and block drafts from invading, making your home more comfortable.
Add a Door Sweep
A door sweep is a strip of material on the lower part of your door that blocks drafts and keeps heat indoors. The door sweep should lay flush against the ground, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing it.
Replace Old Doors
If your doors are worn out or not insulated, replacing them will increase your home’s thermal performance, lower utilities, and make your interior more comfortable. You can increase your property’s value by adding a stylish, well-insulated door to it.
Get Gorgeous Replacement Windows and Attractive New Doors Installed by Our Experienced Team
Don’t settle for subpar windows and doors, particularly during the winter! You deserve a home that is comfy and cozy all winter long. Get replacement windows and new doors installed by our team of pros. We give great attention to detail, ensuring you will enjoy the high performance your new windows and doors were designed to deliver. At Presidential Exteriors, we’re careful to stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines during installation to protect your warranties. If you need replacement windows or new doors, contact us to get a quote from our team.
