How To Block Drafty Windows
Fast Fixes for Drafty Windows
PastJoseph Truini
Don't let cold, windblown air drive up your heating bills this winter. Now's the time to take action and seal up drafty windows using a two-prong approach: First, caulk around the outside of the window, so weather-strip the within.
Begin by removing any erstwhile caulk or peeling paint from around the exterior of the window. You could use a strong-blade putty knife or wire castor, but an oscillating multi-tool is much faster and easier. Use both the scraping blade and sanding pad. Afterward scraping and sanding the surfaces smooth, clean away all clay and dust with a dry scrub brush.
to quickly remove dirt, grime and peeling paint.
Next, apply a fresh bed of caulk around the outside perimeter of the window, creating a continuous airtight seal between the window frame and siding or trim boards. And exist sure to use an exterior-course caulk, such equally 100-percent silicone sealant, or "siliconized" acrylic caulk. Both types adhere well and will remain flexible for years.
windows with high-quality sealant.
After caulking the outside of the window, movement within and use atmospheric condition-stripping to seal effectually the sash, which are the moveable parts of the window that open and shut. There are many dissimilar kinds of weather-stripping bachelor; here's a detailed wait at the top five types:
Adhesive-backed Foam
Adhesive-backed foamis a pinch-blazon of weather-stripping, meaning that when the window closes confronting it, the foam compresses to seal gaps and block out drafts. It features piece of cake pare-and-stick awarding, and cuts easily with scissors. Just exist sure to thoroughly clean the surface area around the inside of the window; the agglutinative won't stick to dusty, dirty surfaces.
On double-hung windows, apply adhesive-backed cream weather-stripping to lesser edge of the lower sash, and to the top border of the upper sash. If y'all don't want to apply the weather-stripping directly to the sash, stick it to the sill below the lower sash, and to the head jamb in a higher place the upper sash. Either way, in one case the sash are locked airtight, 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.
TIP: Virtually double-hung windows have a single sash lock. However, adding a 2nd lock volition make the window much more free energy efficient. First by unscrewing the existing sash lock and reinstalling it one-3rd of the fashion from the side jamb. For example, if the window is 24 inches wide, move the sash lock in about eight inches. Adjacent, install a 2nd sash lock viii inches from the opposite side jamb. Now, when you engage both locks, the sash volition form an airtight seal.
Tubular Prophylactic Gasket
Tubular rubber gasket weather-stripping is similar to adhesive-backed foam, except that it's formed into a hollow rubber tube instead of dense foam. When compressed by the sash, the tubular weather-stripping conforms to the space, effectively sealing out the wind. Some tubular gaskets have peel-and-stick adhesive bankroll, while others have an fastened metal or wood flange that must be secured with nails or screws. If nailing, don't forget to diameter airplane pilot hole offset or you'll risk splitting the wood flange. Likewise, wait for foam-filled tubular gaskets that have a spongy-foam core, which holds its shape better than hollow-core gaskets.
Spring V-Seal
Spring V-Seal is a resilient polypropylene plastic or metal strip that'southward folded into a V-shape. It's known as tension-seal weather-stripping because the V-shape springs open up, creating tension—and blocking drafts—betwixt the sash and window frame. Plastic 5-seal can be cut with scissors, merely yous'll need aviation snips to cut metallic V-seal, which comes in copper, aluminum, statuary and stainless steel. Besides, the plastic blazon oftentimes has a pare-and-stick backing, while metal V-seal must be nailed in place.
V-seal can exist installed vertically along the sides of double-hung windows, and at the horizontal meeting rail where the two sashes run into when closed. On casement or sliding windows, V-seal is installed along the vertical side jamb where the sash closes.
Felt
Felt is one of the oldest types of atmospheric condition-stripping. It'due south usually sold in rolls with or without an adhesive backing. And is also available with an attached metallic mounting flange. Felt is used as a compression weather-stripping around the inside of double-hung, casement and sliding windows. Felt is affordable and easy to install, but information technology doesn't last as long as other types of weather-stripping.
Window Insulation Kits
Window insulation kits block drafts past sealing the entire window behind a large sheet of shrink-wrap plastic. The plastic is adhered to the interior window casing with double-sided record, and and then shrunk drum tight with a blow dryer. Window insulation kits are very effective at sealing out drafts, only keep in mind that y'all won't exist able to open the window until jump when yous peel off the plastic wrap.
And so there you take it. With a lilliputian careful caulking and some perfectly placed weather-stripping, you'll employ less energy, salvage some money, and your dwelling and family will be much more comfy this winter.
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Source: http://blog.rockwelltools.com/fast-fixes-drafty-windows/
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