Happy holidays everyone, and we hope you are staying safe and warm during this snowy season! There really is nothing like curling up by the fireplace with a fuzzy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. Doesn’t that sound so nice, especially after a long day at work.
But what happens if that fireplace is not enough to warm you up? What if you don’t have one at all and your heat just isn’t cutting it? Perhaps, you went looking around the house to find out where the cold was coming from, and found that the windows were iced over and drafty.
If this is the case, and you are dealing with chilly air coming in from the windows, it might be time to get them checked or replaced. However, there are other ways of solving this problem as well that you can try yourself.
First things first, consider the age of your windows. The average lifespan of windows is about twenty to twenty-five years. If your windows are around that age, it really might be time to consider getting them replaced. We always recommend checking with a professional, and you can absolutely call us with any questions you have.
If you aren’t ready to get the windows replaced just yet, the following are some ways you can try to minimize drafts.
First, double check that the window is properly closed and locked in place. Sometimes, if the lock is not sitting right, this may be letting in cold air.
Weather stripping is probably the easiest and cheapest option to try. There are many brands of these, and they can be found online. Weather stripping typically looks like a roll of tape. One side is sticky with adhesive which is placed on the inside of the window, creating more of a barrier, and making any open space at the bottom of the window thinner.
Another option is trying window caulking to fill in any tiny spaces in or around the window. We do recommend being careful while trying this and taking your time. Luckily, if you do mess up, there are ways to remove the caulking. Again this is an easy and cheap way to try and fix drafts coming in from the windows.
You can also get a draft stopper that is specifically made for windows. These are similar to the door snakes, and are simply placed over top of any minuscule openings in the window. Insulated curtains are an option as well.
As you can see, there are many cheap and simple ways of fixing drafts coming in through the windows, but these are not long-term solutions.
We really do recommend getting your windows inspected if you think there could be a problem. We hope these recommendations are helpful for you, and we wish you a very happy holiday season!
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