Avoid Drafty Windows: Everything You Need to Know

A Guide to Drafty Windows

The last matter yous want in your abode is drafty windows. A drafty window can allow hot or cold air to escape your domicile while letting in the exterior air. Why is this happening? Isn't in that location a way to stop your windows from leaking once and for all?

Window drafts are a mutual but serious trouble. Not only volition your habitation be less comfortable, merely you'll end upward spending more than coin on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year. The good news is that there are several ways you can fix this problem.

In this commodity, we'll show you what causes drafty windows and how you tin can fix them. Allow's get started.

Common Causes for Window Drafts

Earlier yous can fix your drafty windows, yous need to know where the problem originates. Pinpointing the cause of your problem can modify the urgency and the solution. We'll highlight all of the major causes for window drafts below.

Window Seal Failure

One of the nigh common problems is seal failure. This is when the seal of your double or triple pane window breaks and the argon gas between the glass escapes. Your window is no longer energy efficient when this happens.

There are a few ways your window seals can interruption:

Wearable and tear over time
Windows are poorly installed
Seals pause during shipment
The elements (if your windows aren't built to handle extreme temperatures and weather)
Build-upwardly of mold

When seal failure occurs, outside air is able to hands get into your habitation and impact the temperature of your abode. This forces your furnace and air conditioner to piece of work harder, increasing the corporeality of money you'll pay on your energy bills. You can learn more than about window seal failure in this commodity.

Poorly Installed Windows

If your windows are poorly installed, you'll feel drafts coming from them because they don't fit properly in the opening. That means there will be gaps between the window and its frame.

Installing windows isn't a DIY job. Make sure you hire a professional for your window installation. They'll make sure your windows fit into the opening perfectly and y'all won't experience any drafts.

In that location Are Cracks in Your Window Caulk

Caulk goes around your window where the frame meets the building structure to help prevent drafts from getting into your home. If there are cracks in your window caulk, and so outside air has an easy style into your home.

Some cracks in your caulk aren't equally obvious equally yous think. You lot tin can examination to see if drafts are getting into your home by moving your hand forth the caulk. If you feel a breeze coming through, and then it needs to be replaced.

Window caulk wears downward over time especially when the atmospheric condition changes causing your windows to expand and contract. Information technology'due south important to bank check every year if your window caulk is doing information technology's job.

If you exercise experience a draft, you'll need to recaulk effectually your window. This video will show you everything you need to know on how to caulk your windows:

Your Windows Are Former

Sometimes there isn't a physical problem with your windows. Maybe they're drafty because they're onetime. Y'all volition feel drafts if you accept older windows – especially if they're single pane windows.

Your Windows Aren't Free energy Efficient

Some windows are much less energy efficient and aren't congenital to withstand the harsh Midwest weather. For case, wood and aluminum windows aren't as energy efficient every bit vinyl windows so they may become drafty much sooner.

Likewise, wood windows warp when exposed to moisture (which is very common in the Midwest). If this happens, you may outset to see gaps form and outside air get into your home.

It'south very of import to make sure the glass of your windows is double or triple pane. This refers to the amount of glass that makes upwards the window. Double and triple pane windows can be filled with argon gas which makes them more energy efficient and prevents heated or cooled air from escaping your home through the drinking glass.

Get past in a Pinch with These Temporary Solutions

At present that you know where the problem areas can exist, it's time to fix them. At that place are several temporary solutions that can help you out in a compression. These toll-effective options will get y'all through a rough winter or a smoldering hot summer but the problem isn't solved until you replace your windows.

Plastic Window Wrap

Window wraps are plastic covers that are applied to the interior surface of your window to prevent drafts from getting into your abode. They doesn't last long (about one season) then window wraps should only exist used to go you through a particularly tough season, not as a permanent prepare.

Information technology's very easy to utilise window wrap. You'll need to measure the corporeality of wrap y'all'll need, cutting off the portion to use and blow dry out it to your window. Make sure no air bubbles become caught betwixt the wrap and your window – it needs to be a tight fit to forestall outside air from getting into your home.

Storm Windows

Storm windows work very similarly to a storm door. They're installed on the outside of your existing windows and work every bit a bulwark and extra layer of insulation.

The problem is that they don't prepare your windows. While tempest windows will decrease the amount of exterior air that gets into your home, you lot still have drafty windows behind them. You haven't solved the trouble, y'all've only put a band-aid on it.

Invest in a Draft Stopper

A draft stopper is a rectangular pillow that yous put on the sill to prevent drafts from sneaking underneath your window. It's a very specialized product and only works for drafts sneaking nether the sash.

Plus, it isn't guaranteed to piece of work 100% of the time. Drafts can nonetheless become into your home around the pillow. It's a very quick remedy while you're looking for a more than permanent solution.

At that place's Simply One True Set for Drafty Windows: Accept Them Replaced with Vinyl Windows

If y'all actually desire to rid yourself of drafty windows once and for all, there'south only one way – invest in replacement windows. It's the merely way for you to know that they're energy efficient and installed properly – especially if you cull a reputable company.

Besides, make certain that you lot get vinyl windows – they're made specifically for homes in the Midwest. Y'all already know that they're more energy efficient and durable than forest or aluminum windows and so you won't have to worry nigh drafts sneaking into your home.

Another advantage of vinyl windows is their frames are likewise insulated. They take a foam insulation that prevents drafts from passing through the frame. You won't find this perk with other window styles.

Other features such every bit argon gas-filled glass and low-e glass are important to await for in your efforts to eliminate drafty windows. Replacement windows with these features provide added layers of insulation and protection from the elements.

If you just tin't go over the groovy look of wood windows, don't worry. Feldco offers wood grain finishes to give you the appeal of wood without ever having to worry about drafty windows.

Getting rid of drafty windows lies within choosing the right visitor. With over 500,000 homeowners served, information technology's no wonder why Feldco is the Midwest'southward leading window visitor. Our premium products and expert service will help you become rid of those abrasive drafty windows.

Say Goodbye to Drafty Windows

Make drafty windows a affair of the past. Brand sure you lot check them every year for bad caulking, seal failure and wear and tear. If you ever experience a draft, information technology's time for a replacement. Any other solution is only a band-aid that ends up costing you lot extra money in energy bills.

If you start feeling drafts coming from your windows, go a gratuitous quote from Feldco. Our team of product specialists will make sure that you get the perfect replacement window measured correctly to fit the opening. We take the stress out of getting replacement windows.

hunteand1998.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.4feldco.com/articles/drafty-windows/