Preparing Your Windows for Winter

While windows are essential to let in light and air and allow us to see out, they do have drawbacks. Not only are they a weak point in home security, but they can also be a big drain on your home?s energy efficiency. It is estimated that it costs the average household with normal windows up to 60 per cent more to heat and cool their home than households with double-glazing or thermally-protected windows. So how do you prevent heat loss? Here are five effective ways to prepare your windows for winter.

Caulking

Applying caulk to the cracks and holes around the frames is a cheap, easy way to reduce heat loss through your windows. You can purchase caulking and a caulk gun for a few dollars from your local hardware and apply it in minutes to your window frames. Use a putty knife or solvent to remove old caulk and paint residue and then simply apply the caulking liberally to all joints, holes and cracks in the frames.

Weather strips

Weather strips can be made of rubber, vinyl, foam, felt or metal. Like caulking, they are relatively cheap to buy and are used to seal the gaps between the window and the frame. Self-adhesive weather strips should be attached to the tops and bottoms of your windows where they meet the frame and anywhere there are gaps where drafts may enter. You can also use weather strips on doors, as these often have gaps around them that contribute to heat loss.

Insulating films

Double glazing provides very effective heat and noise insulation, but it?s also very expensive. If you don?t have double glazing, you can do the next best thing and apply a polymer adhesive film to the inside of your windows. While these films aren?t as effective as double glazing, they are designed to allow heat to penetrate from outside, but prevent it escaping from inside, so they will provide more insulation than a normal unprotected pane of glass.

Insulating films are relatively inexpensive, easy to apply and available from most hardwares and home improvement centres.

Shutters and storm windows

Another good way to retain heat in winter is to have aluminium shutters or storm windows. Shutters provide excellent security, keep the wind and rain at bay and help to prevent heat loss through your windows. Shutters are usually permanently fixed to the outside of your window frames and can be opened or closed as the weather dictates.

Storm windows can also help to reduce heat loss. These are framed inserts custom made to fit your windows, which can be inserted or removed as required. They can be either externally or internally mounted and are usually made from plastic or glass.

Window treatments

The kind of window treatments you choose can also have a big influence on heat loss. Heavy drapes that overlap and are secured beneath a pelmet provide the best insulation. Modern slimline blinds also help to retain heat, provided they close tightly and fit snugly around the edges of the window. Heavy drapes can tend to make a room feel dark and oppressive, which is why many people prefer modern blinds, which make the most of winter sunshine during the day.

Source: http://securelux.com/blog/preparing-windows-winter/

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