Best way to winterize your windows

It will also help in the next step of the winterizing process. Make a list, then divide up tasks for each family member to help complete. The more hands you have, the quicker they will get done. Things like, insulating windows, putting barriers behind your doors, insulating sliding glass doors , and caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows can be a family affair.

Let the kids help with the easier tasks and leave the more difficult ones for the adults. Set a solid due date for each of your tasks to be completed. For some, living in a cold climate certainly has its perks especially if you like snow, but a high heating bill is definitely not one of them. Many cold climate dwellers are scared to open their utility bills each month. And many homeowners with homes full of windows and beautiful vistas, know that the more heat you lose, the higher the heating bill.

Keeping the heat inside your home can be easy with a few simple DIY tips. The first thing to know is that a window's ability to insulate is dictated by it R-value. A lower R-value means better insulation generally. According to Energy. It isn't always inexpensive to increase your windows R-value, but you can prevent heat loss.

Some basic ways are to:. These can help keep your home warm and keep your heating bills in check during a chilly winter, so you can stay warm and keep enjoying those views. Air leaks or drafts are caused when air is moving in and out of your home through cracks and holes around your window.

If you can feel cold drafts around your windows, you are losing heat there. Even if you don't feel a draft you could still be losing air. Inspecting around the frame of each window for cracks and gaps is a good place to start.

Also looking for deteriorating caulking, rotting wood, and missing glass. Repair and replace rotted frames and seal or replace the missing glass. You also need to look for openings behind the interior window trim or wall.

You can insert non-expanding foam in this area on all four sides to help with drafts. If your caulking needs replacing, you can dig out the old using a putty knife or screwdriver. Make sure you clean and dry the area before you replace the caulking. There are dozens of different styles of weather stripping available for sealing windows, but these are top five types:.

Adhesive-backed foam : This is a compression type of weather stripping, meaning that when the window closes against it, the foam compresses to seal gaps and block drafts. It features easy peel-and-stick application and cuts with scissors.

On double-hung windows, apply adhesive-backed foam weather stripping to the bottom edge of the lower sash, and to the top edge of the upper sash. Either way, once the sash is closed and locked, the foam will seal out drafts. On sliding or casement windows, apply the adhesive-backed foam to the vertical edge of the sash or vertically along the side jamb.

When compressed by the sash, the tubular weather stripping conforms to the space, effectively sealing out drafts. Some tubular gaskets have peel-and-stick adhesive backing, while others have an attached metal or wood flange that must be secured with nails or screws. Also look for foam-filled tubular gaskets that have a spongy-foam core, which holds its shape better than the hollow-core gaskets.

Spring V-Seal : This is a resilient polypropylene plastic or metal strip that comes folded into a V-shape. Also, the plastic type often has a peel-and-stick backing, while metal V-seal must be nailed in place. V-seal can be installed vertically along the sides of double-hung windows, and at the horizontal meeting rail where the two sashes meet when closed.

Navigating Life Insurance Learn the ins and outs of life insurance through these helpful articles. Read up on topics ranging from understanding insurance and home care to DIY tips and more.

Check out our motivational articles designed to help guide fearless dreamers like you. At Home. Winter Homeowner Tips Take a look at our home winterizing tips to protect your home — and your electricity bill — from the cold winter weather. How to Keep Cold Air from Coming Through Doors and Windows Start with these simple ways to prevent cold air from seeping through your windows and doors. Inspect your windows Before you winterize your windows, make sure your glass panes are in good shape.

Add insulation to doors and windows If you can access the area behind the window or door trim, adding batt insulation or spray foam insulation is one of the best ways to insulate doors and windows for winter because it can keep cold air from coming through the window.

Add weather stripping Both doors and windows can be weather stripped for added protection from drafts and cold weather. Caulk around windows and doors Caulk is an inexpensive way to seal windows for winter , and a few tubes go a long way. How to Insulate Windows While the tips above work great for both windows and doors, there are some solutions that are specifically designed for winterizing windows. Install storm windows for extra wind protection If your windows came with storms, then you probably already know the process of installing them in winter and taking them out so you can put your screens back in nice weather.

Use window insulator kits to increase insulation Many people swear by seasonal window insulator kits. Cover basement window wells to increase energy efficiency If you have basement windows with wells, a great way to increase energy efficiency in your home is to cap those wells with covers. Reinforce your windows to make them less drafty Have drafty double-hung windows? Buy new windows If air leaks are your primary frustration, look for new windows with a low air leakage rating — it means they have a tighter window seal.

How to Insulate Doors Get rid of those pesky drafts by winterizing your doors the right way. Install door gaskets for a tighter seal While rubber weather stripping is a form of simple gasket, you can go even further with stop mounted gaskets to insulate doors.