Keeping your house warm during the winter months can be difficult, especially around your windows. Windows are amazing at letting light in, but some windows are not as good at keeping the cold or hot air out. It is important to check your windows before and during winter to make sure that your windows are performing at their best and keeping you and your family cozy indoors.

 

How to Check Your Windows

The first step, of course, is to find drafty spots in your windows so that you know which repair method is best for you.

• The first way to check your windows is a visual inspection: if you see that your weatherstripping is cracked, for example, you can be sure that you need to replace the weatherstripping.
• The second is to move a candle slowly around your window. If the candle starts to flicker consistently at one spot, you’ve found a leaky area.
• Lastly, you can use an infrared camera to spot where drafts are potentially coming through.

 

Caulk

Now that you’ve identified your problem, you can start treating the trouble areas. Caulk has long been a favorite method for sealing troublesome spots, and windows are no exception. You can even get temporary caulk that you can peel up again in the springtime with minimal damage.

Pro Tip! Caulk does not seal perfectly in cold weather. For the best results, caulk the problem area when it is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) outside.

 

Weatherstripping

You may also want to check weatherstripping tape. Weatherstripping tape is generally cheap and very easy to install, with various installation methods including self-adhesive tape, tension fitting, and even magnets. Although some varieties can be unsightly, a new weatherstripping can go a long way in terms of insulating your home against the cold.

 

Draft Stoppers

For larger gaps, especially at the bottom of your window, you should consider a draft stopper. Although you can buy these online, you can also make your own with old socks and stuffing. The perfect DIY, you can make a draft stopper to your exact liking for an affordable price.

 

Shrink-Wrap Kits

What if the heat is not coming through a spot in the sealant or the weatherstripping, but the window itself? Luckily, there are many window shrink-wrap kits that you can use to seal up your windows. Please note that after sealing the window like this, you cannot operate the window, and will have to take it down come spring.

 

Heat-insulating Curtains

If you want a more stylish option than the shrink wrap, but don’t want to bust out the tools, consider heat-insulating curtains. These curtains are designed to be easy to install, while also keeping your home aesthetic. Of course, this means that less light will be able to enter your home for optimal heat insulation.

 

New windows

If you want a better window system overall, there’s no better solution than a full window replacement. Good quality, custom-made replacement windows can dramatically improve your home insulation, making it much easier and cheaper to climate control. Although it can be quite an investment up front, a good window system will help keep costs down and comfort up in the long run.

If you want to learn more about replacing your windows, visit our website at ntwindow.com.

 

 

We hope these 8 solutions can help you keep your home warm during these crisp winter months. Have a Happy Holiday Season, from our family to yours.