Tips for Fixing Your Drafty Windows in Dodge City, KS Before Winter Hits

The cooler weather is setting in, and winter is going to be here before you know it. If you have problems with drafts coming in through your windows, now is the time to make the fixes you need so you don’t have cold air blowing through your home all winter long, causing your furnace to go into overdrive.

In many homes with old windows, the draft is a result of glazing putty that has become brittle and fallen off. Double-hung sashes on wooden windows can also shrink with age, resulting in air leaks. Worn-out weather stripping and gaskets could also be an issue for vinyl or aluminum windows.

Here are a few different types of fixes for your windows in Dodge City, KS that will keep the cold air at bay this winter:

• New stripping: You can use plastic or foam weather stripping along the sides of your window sashes—there are a variety of products you can find at your local hardware store. Even when using this stripping, you’ll still be able to open and close the windows.
• Caulk: Rope caulk can be molded to fit into the gap where the air is coming through. While it doesn’t allow you to open and close your windows like the plastic stripping products do, it can easily be removed at the end of the season.
• Nail polish: Clear nail polish can be used to fill visible cracks in the glass. Once it hardens, the polish stabilizes the glass until you’re able to replace it. You can also use weather-seal tape on the crack. These are both temporary solutions best used when you have a crack in the glass that happens in the winter.
• Shrink film: This type of plastic sheeting shrinks tight when you heat it up with a hair dryer. It’s easy to apply, cheap to purchase and pretty effective at keeping out the cold air.
• Replace glazing: If you believe the issue is with the glazing putty that seals up the window panes, then you can replace any loose or missing glazing. This will go a long way toward eliminating leaks and provide you with an inexpensive long-term solution. Your first step should be to remove all the existing putty (even the stuff that’s still intact) and then put on a bed of fresh putty, gently pressing the glass on to it and adding small metal glazing points that help secure the frame.
• Replace windows: This is obviously the most extreme solution, but there are some circumstances in which you just need new windows if you’re going to ensure they do not leak and want them to help keep your home more energy efficient. This is especially true if you have an old house with original or very old windows—it may very well be time for an upgrade.

Need some more tips to help you get your home winterized? Contact Wes-Kan Siding Windows & Doors to learn more about what you can do to seal up your windows in Dodge City, KS.

Categorised in: Windows