Protect Your Home From the Elements: Learn How to Weatherproof Windows and Doors

Knowing how to weatherproof your windows is a great way to keep yourself and your family comfortable, conserve energy, and save on expensive heating bills. Preparing your windows is a simple process that doesn’t take long, and the results will be seen in energy bills for the entire winter. Here are the steps you need to take to get your windows ready for the winter.

The first step is to clean all the windows inside and out. Clean your frames as well and make sure to check if there are any signs of rot. If your windows are old and in bad condition, then it’s best to replace them before the cold weather hits. You should also replace any windows with cracks in the glass.

The next step is to weatherproof the windows with weatherstripping. Buy self-adhesive weatherstripping to make installation easier. Fit the strips around the window seams to stop any air transfer between indoors and out. You won’t be able to open your windows in the winter, but you’ll be gaining the benefit of improved energy efficiency. Don’t forget to weatherstrip your doorways as well; these are sometimes overlooked but energy can still escape when the door is opened and closed.

Finally, pick up some window plastic from the hardware store; it acts like a second pane of glass and will certainly improve the performance of your windows. Cut a piece of the plastic slightly larger than the window and attach it to the frame with tape. Once it’s in place, use a hairdryer on a high setting until the plastic shrinks tight against the window, ensuring a tight seal against energy loss when the cold weather comes.

It’s important to note that you should replace the weatherstripping and window plastic every spring in order to ensure they’re still doing their job properly and not compromising your energy efficiency. Although you will need to spend a little money each fall, you’ll save even more on heating bills in the winter months.

Knowing how to weatherproof your windows is a great way to ensure comfort and energy conservation. Clean your windows thoroughly and inspect for rot and cracks in the glass. To encase each window, add self-adhesive weatherstripping and plastic sheeting. The sheeting is easy to attach with tape and a hairdryer and provides better insulation than normal windows. Replace your weatherproofing supplies each year — they don’t last very long — and enjoy greater energy efficiency and less expensive heating bills all winter long.