Drafty? Don’t Lose Money on Leaky Windows and Doors

Posted by Manny DeMelo on October 23rd, 2015

Burlington Window ReplacementsIs it drafty in your home?

Now that the weather is cooling down, you’re probably cranking up your furnace. If you’re noticing that the heat doesn’t stay put for long and you have cold drafts running through your house, it’s time to take a look at your windows and doors as possible culprits.

You don’t want to waste money on your utilities because of leaky windows and doors! Windows and doors are typically the cause of the biggest air leaks in your home.

You have several options for keeping the heat where it belongs (inside your house) and improving the energy (and cost) efficiency of your home.

Here are the most effective approaches to getting rid of window and door air leaks:

1.     Fix Your Window and Door Caulking

If you have old windows and doors, the caulking may be deteriorating.

Just go outside and eyeball the caulking – if you see openings (yes, even small ones), you need to seal them with a silicone sealant. If the caulking is too far gone for this easy fix, you might need to get a professional (or a skilled do-it-yourselfer) to cut it out and replace it with new material.

2.     Replace Worn or Missing Weatherstripping

Another problem older windows develop is worn and missing weatherstripping.

Weatherstripping can be made from felt, vinyl, rubber, or other materials. It is installed around window and door edges to seal them properly. When it becomes worn down or falls off, you’ll find that you’re losing a lot of heat and it will feel chilly near the window or door.

There are lots of weatherstripping options to choose from for replacements, ranging in price and effectiveness.

3.     Remove Gaps

Sometimes, a window or door will settle with the house and lose its intended shape. For example, a square window that is no longer quite square.

When this happens, you’ll have gaps between the different components of your window, which – you guessed it – let in the outside air.

So if you see gaps like that (they can be small), you can reinstall your window so it’s square and level.

If reinstalling the window doesn’t work, you may need to fix your weatherstripping or replace your window altogether.

4.     Replace Your Windows and Doors with Energy Efficient Alternatives

You’ve probably noticed that a lot of these issues are caused because of old windows. Not only are older windows more prone to deteriorating and developing air leaks, but they usually aren’t made using the most updated, energy efficient materials.

That means, no matter what small fixes you make, it will only be a bandaid for the problem. Of course, sometimes a bandaid is all you need!

But if you’re looking to really make a big difference in how airtight your home is, you’ll want to install window and door replacements with improved hardware and “low-emissivity glass” (low-E glass). Window and door replacements can reduce heat loss by up to 50%!

Get Rid of Those Drafts!

With these tips, you could save hundreds of dollars a year on energy – plus, your home will be a more comfortable place to live. Nobody wants a home that’s too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.

>> Quality Exteriors can help you save money with ENERGY STAR rated replacement windows and doors. Request a free in-home consultation or call us at 866-808-7689.

Serving homeowners in Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara, and Burlington.

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