Keep Your Home Warm and Cozy This Winter: Tips for Making Your Home Windproof

Windproofing your home is a necessary endeavor if you want to keep your energy bills low during the colder months and prevent pesky drafts from entering your home. While it might seem like a difficult project, it doesn’t have to be. With a little time and effort, you can inexpensively and effectively windproof your home in a few important steps.

The first step to windproofing your home is to focus on the landscape outside. If wind is able to freely assault your home without any type of obstruction, it will enter easily through siding, insulation and around windows and doors. To prevent this, try adding windbreaks in the form of shrubs, trees, fences and playground equipment. This will create an effective border that will divert wind away from your home.

The next step to windproofing your home is applying insulation. Old windows and doors are particularly vulnerable to wind and can account for a large portion of your home’s energy inefficiency. To combat this, you should consider replacing them with thicker paned windows and insulated doors. You can also use foam insulation on the outside of windows and doors and apply weather stripping on the top and bottom to provide additional protection.

In addition to windows and doors, any vents such as dryer vents, crawlspace vents and attic vents should also be windproofed. Make sure they have special vent covers that can be opened and closed to better seal against driving rain and cold air.

Finally, if your home has old siding, it is a good idea to replace it with vinyl or shingle siding. Replace the insulation and house wrap at the same time since these can provide an effective airtight barrier.

By following these steps and taking the time to properly windproof your home, your household will be prepared for the winter months. Not only will this give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to avoid the drafty air coming in, but you’ll be able to reduce your energy bills as well. So take the time to windproof your home and you’ll see the benefits all winter long!