4 Ways to Fix Drafty Windows
by Todd Gillman
Drafty windows are a nuisance in a variety of ways. Not only do they let cold air during the winter months, but they can also let heat in during the summer and make an entire home less comfortable as a result. Or, if you turn up the A/C or heat to compensate for the loss of temperature imbalance, drafty windows can end up costing you a fortune in energy bills.
Thankfully, there’s more than one way to fix a drafty window. Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or willing to pull out all the stops, here are 4 ways for you to fix your drafty windows for good.
1. Weatherstripping
If you want to know how to weatherproof windows, weatherstripping is probably your best bet. Not only is it extremely inexpensive, but it can also be very effective depending on what kind you buy. Websites like Foamtapes.net by LAMATEK, for example, offer weatherstripping in a variety of forms such as rubber sponge weather sealing, PVC foam weather sealing, and urethane foam weatherstrip tapes.
PVC foam is best used for exterior purposes because of its durability, while urethane foam is best for indoor and outdoor use intended to provide maximum energy efficiency. Rubber sponge tape is also great for outdoor use but only comes in black. The installation process for weatherstripping is also really easy and can be completed in minutes.
All you have to do is cut the strip to size, peel the protective tape off the weatherstripping, and apply it to a clean, dry surface. As the lowest-priced method of fixing drafty windows, weatherstripping is favored by many homeowners.
2. Caulk
Caulk is another cheap, yet tried and true method of weatherstripping. Caulk comes in tubes and all you have to do is squeeze it onto the edges of your windows or wherever you’ve identified a leak. Once it dries, it will last for a good amount of time before it eventually needs to be re-applied. It can be hard to find it in colors other than white, however.
3. Reglaze Your Window Panes
Wooden windows are common culprits when it comes to letting in drafts. This is often due to the glaze wearing out which lets the panes start to come loose, thus creating space for drafts to enter. If your wooden window panes are loose, reglaze them. This will seal the drafts and they aren’t likely to come loose again for quite a while, assuming they aren’t being bumped into or slammed too often.
4. Take a Layered Approach
If you’re sealing up for winter but you don’t want to seal your windows off with plastic, you can use a layered approach by combining blinds, curtains, and drapes. Especially if you’re looking to keep at least one window unsealed for safety reasons, this triple-layered approach to fix a drafty window is best.
If necessary, you can always move the drapes, curtains, and blinds to the side. But, when closed, they should be highly effective at preventing the loss of conditioned air.
These are Just a Few Ways to Fix Leaky Windows
Windows can become leaky and let in drafts for a few different reasons. Age and abuse are the most common, and different types of materials like wooden windows can be even more prone to drafts. Thankfully, 4 of the methods for fixing drafts we’ve discussed here will be very effective at eliminating the drafts coming from your windows.
Whether you want a semi-permanent solution or you’re just looking for a seasonal quick-fix, using blinds, drapes, and curtains, caulk, weatherstripping, or glaze to reset wooden window panes will be enough to satisfy your needs.
Todd Gillman is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.