What to do about those drafty windows?
This winter season isn’t completely over but you can still keep your home warm with these budget-friendly do-it-yourself quick fixes for windows.
Weatherstripping
In order to remove drafts from your windows consider, weather stripping or even replacing your windows. Apply weatherstripping window film and caulk to prevent heat loss around doors, windows, and baseboards. V-type weather strips fit against the side of the window and form a seal to prevent cold air from entering. Foam weatherstripping is easy to install but last only one to three years.
Draft snakes
If you are on a tight budget consider using a draft snake (draft stoppers) to stop cold air from creeping through the windows. To make a homemade snake, fill a tube of fabric or old knees sock, with dry rice. Snakes can be placed at the bottom of the window to act as blockers against drafts.
For basement and attic windows, cover the panes with a piece of foam board glued to drywall. Cut pieces of rigid foam insulation and fit in between the sections where the window meets one another, where the window meets its frame, and where the frame meets the wall.
Plastic film
Insulating window film can help retain up to the 55 percent of your home’s heat during winter. Simply stretch the plastic film over the window, and then use the heat from a hair drier to shrink the film around the edges and seal out air leaks.
Hang insulated curtains
You want as much natural light as possible to enter your home and keep it warmer during the day. Keep thermal curtains open during the day but remember to draw them close at night to keep the warmth in. another excellent way to insulate your home and avoid heat loss is to install double-glazed windows instead of regular windows.