Winterizing Windows

In response to a question I received after the wood vs. vinyl window blog last week, I'm going to talk a little about weather proofing windows today. For saving money on your heating bill, there aren't many courses of action more helpful than sealing leaky windows. Drafty windows don't just let the cold winter air in, they also allow the warm air out, forcing your furnace to work even harder, and costing you in the long run. Here's a few very basic procedures for improving your windows' winter performance, without having to bite the bullet and buy all new windows. And for those of you not familiar with this concept of cold winters, I promise to deliver a timely air-conditioning blog soon.

Caulking
Available at any home improvement or hardware store, caulk is a useful, affordable way to help weather proof windows. Window caulking is a simple enough art. Simply make sure you thoroughly caulk the non-moving parts of the window. Your work should cover the regions in-between frame and window and frame and sash. This should make a noticeable difference in eliminating those pesky, hard to pin-point air leaks.

Weather Stripping
There are different types of weather stripping for each species of window, so to speak. If you've got vertical sliding or double hung windows, there's a type of weather strip tubing that can be applied in gaps between the sash and frame, as you would with caulking. For wood or vinyl windows and/or glass doors that slide horizontally, there are special angled forms of weather stripping up to the task. However, do note that if your window was installed with preset weather stripping, and it's become worn down, you'll need to replace it with the same type of stripping. As for hoppers and swing-open windows, apply weather stripping to all sides of the jamb, allowing for a snug fit when the window closes.

Plastic
Certainly not the prettiest option, but a plastic film covering can do quite a bit of good as a stop gap, whether applied on the interior or exterior of a window. Though it may reduce the loss of warm air through leakage, plastic film can affect the window's visibility, and its glue might damage the paint or stain on wood window frames upon removal.

If you're really at the end of the rope with your windows, don't keep settling for stop-gap solutions winter after winter. In the long run, getting replacement windows is the better investment, both for lowering your gas bill and making your home a more comfortable place.