Winter is coming…and sooner than you might think. The leaves have fallen and snow is in the forecast for many areas of the country. Because the summer was so hot and dry for most of the nation, meteorologists are predicting an early and particularly harsh winter.
This warning might make you shudder if you live in a drafty house. If you continuously turn up the heat and feel like you have to warm your feet by the vents in the morning, you know there’s a problem with your drafty, old house.
Most people look to their windows for the source of the draft. Old windows are often responsible during the winter. Many old windows are single paned or have cracked, rotting seals that allow cold air to penetrate the walls. Replacing your windows with energy efficient, professional grade windows from Lakeside Renovation & Design is your best option here. This can significantly reduce the cold drafts you feel while at home.
You’ve probably already pinpointed the problem as your windows and had them replaced, but that doesn’t always take care of the problem. If you’re still dealing with a cold house and drafts with new windows, and you’re sure your heating system is not malfunctioning, here are some things you can do to fix the problem.
- Use Insulating Curtains
At night, the temperature drops as much as 20 degrees when the sun disappears. The cold air can easily penetrate your windows and drop the temperature inside your home, no matter how high you’ve cranked your heat. To combat this problem, use a thick, insulating curtain to keep air trapped inside at night.
Most insulating curtains are tightly woven so that air can’t escape. They also include a thick panel on the backside that blocks light. Curtains that cover your windows entirely will keep air trapped inside, but if you want some extra protection from the cold air, use a curtain that reaches from the floor to the ceiling.
- Get Filled Draft Blockers
This is an unsightly solution, but it can help to reduce drafts significantly around doors and windows. These draft blockers come in the form of cylinder-shaped pillows that are stuffed with sand, plastic, or polyester fill. They’re secured at the base of doorways and window sills to keep drafts from penetrating your home. They’re not the most convenient of fixtures, but they do help to reduce the draftiness of a home.
- Install Plexiglass
Many homeowners will use large sheets of plastic to cover their windows in the winter. It’s an effective way to keep the cold out, but it’s ugly and takes away the functionality of the window. An excellent alternative solution is a plexiglass cover for your windows.
In areas where storms are common, many people will use plexiglass to protect their windows from high winds. They can also be used to insulate windows without taking away the ability to open and close them.
- Install Outdoor Shutters
Like plexiglass storm windows, outdoor shutters offer an important layer of protection for your windows from the outside. They add an extra layer of insulation when closed and can significantly improve the efficiency of your home.
Aside from the warming factor of this feature, it also makes a very beautiful addition to any home. It can give the property an exterior facelift and add significant property value.
Need a guide to your home renovation?
Check out our “Replacement Window Buying Guide”
- Replace with Gas Fills
Most double paned windows use air to fill the space between the two panes. In many conditions, the air is a good enough insulator to keep out unwanted drafts and extreme temperatures. However, when it’s particularly cold outside, you might want to try an alternative fill.
Gas fills can be used on windows in areas with extreme temperatures. This fill plugs any thermal holes in the fixture and significantly reduces temperature transfer between the glass.
- Allow Sunlight Inside
During the winter, it’s rarely bright and sunny, but when it is, you can take advantage of the free heat by opening your curtains. Glass is a decent conductor of heat, so when the sun is shining directly on the pane, it will naturally heat the room by a few degrees. You can use filled draft blockers to prevent air from slipping in around the seals while the curtains are open.
If you open your curtains when the sun isn’t hitting the window full blast, however, you’ll end up letting in more cold air than warm air. Focus on opening the curtains during the few hours a day when the sun is shining directly into the windows. This means that your curtains will be open on one side of the house in the morning and on the other side at night.
- Double Glaze the Glass
If you installed a basic window package, it probably came without the glazing effect. When you glaze your windows, you seal any air gaps between the two panes of glass to add an extra layer of insulation. It significantly reduces air transfer, helping your utility bills and minimizing noise from the outside.
- Check Home Insulation
The draft you feel in your home might not be from the windows at all. Poor insulation can also cause temperatures to drop inside your home. One of the most obvious signs that you have poor insulation is cold drafts coming from vents, light switches, outlets, and exterior walls. If it’s properly insulated, you shouldn’t be able to feel any air coming from these areas.
The best way to be sure you have an insulation problem is to contact a professional. They can check for signs of inadequate insulation and fix the problem for you.
- Repair Weather Stripping
Weather stripping is an important function around windows and doors that prevents excessive air transfers. It involves a small rubber seal that fits between the window or door and the wall. It’s supposed to result in an airtight seal that protects you from both wind and water, but if the stripping is poor quality or broken, air can get through. Have the stripping repaired or replaced to maximize the heat.
- Try a Beechworth Fiberglass Window
The problem might be that you chose the wrong windows. It’s not good enough to replace your old windows with any model. You need a window with exterior beauty and excellent efficiency.
Beechworth fiberglass windows are the top-rated product in the window business. Beechworth is a trusted brand with an excellent seal of protection. Their windows are durable, thick, and efficient. You’ll see a drastic reduction in your utility bills when you choose Beechworth windows.
One of the most important aspects of using Beechworth windows is getting them installed by a certified professional. Contractors must be factory trained and certified by Beechworth Windows in order to purchase and install their products so that you’re guaranteed a quality experience every time.
At Lakeside Renovation & Design, we are certified to install Beechworth Windows. We understand that Beechworth products only withstand the test of time when they are carefully installed. With our decades of experience, you’ll experience warmer winters and higher quality window installations.
For more information about what we can offer you, contact us today!
