Photo: Pella Window & Door
4 Steps to Winter-Proof Windows
By: Pella Window & Door Air can travel in and out of your home anywhere there’s an opening. Most of the year, you may not notice it at all. But in wintertime, you can easily tell that your home is colder and your energy bills are higher. Since there are multiple windows throughout your home, there’s more opportunity for you to lose heated indoor air or let in chilly outside air. To minimize the effects of winter on your windows, you need to follow these steps each year to make sure they’re in prime condition and ready for the season.
Step 1
Step 2
Caulk and seal windows for winter.
Apply new window weatherstripping.
The sealant and caulking is critical during the winter. It helps create a barrier between the window frame and the exterior siding. So it is extremely important that the sealant and caulking remain intact and in good condition.
Once you’ve fixed the sealant or assured it’s in good condition, move on to the weatherstripping. Quality weatherstripping should be tight, covering the space between the window sash and frame to reduce air leaks and prevent water from entering your home. There are a variety of weatherstripping products to choose from, and what you need may depend on the type of window you have: Adhesive-backed foam compresses between the window and the sash to seal gaps and leaks. Tubular rubber gaskets are hollow rubber tubes that help seal gaps. Felt weatherstripping is one of the oldest kinds, and still can do the job in a pinch, but it may not last as long. Spring V-seals are metal or plastic strips that create tension seals to help prevent drafts. In most cases, you can simply unsnap the current weatherstripping and replace it with a new piece.
You need to check out each and every window to ensure everything is in working order and that all seals are airtight — and watertight. While air will make your home cold, water that seeps in and freezes can do even more damage. Manufacturer-recommended maintenance calls for an annual inspection of your windows. Examine where the exterior of your window meets the house to inspect the seal. Pay close attention to the caulking at the lower corners of the windows and under joints between window combinations where water is likely to collect. If you spot cracked, dry, broken or brittle sealant, apply new caulking to fix it and rebuild that barrier.
