Cold Air Coming Through Your Windows? What You Need To Know
When it comes to the windows in your home, you probably think of them only in terms of the beautiful views they provide each day. However, windows play a crucial role in keeping your home warm once the outside temperatures start falling. When you have cold air coming through windows, the result is a home that is quite chilly and a heating bill that gets more and more expensive.
Whether you’ve got new windows or old and want to stop cold air from coming through them, we here at Rollac have assembled all you need to know about preventing window drafts.
Why is Cold Air Coming Through My Windows?
Normal Wear and Tear
Even if you have chosen the best windows in your home, normal wear and tear associated with opening and closing them will eventually take its toll. Once weather stripping begins to get compacted, twisted, or simply wears away, you’ll have drafty windows.
Window Frame is Old
Whereas in years past many older windows had wooden frames that made them very prone to rotting, today’s vinyl-framed windows are much more durable. If you have wood-framed windows that are at least 20 years old, chances are they have cracked or warped, creating the perfect small gaps for cold air to enter your home.
Incorrect Installation
If your home’s windows were not installed by experienced window professionals, they may have been incorrectly installed. Usually, the biggest problem is the seal around the outside of the frame, as this can cause cold air coming through.
Extreme Temperature Changes
When outside temperatures go from one extreme to the other, cheaper windows can expand and contract, leading to cold air entering your home through small gaps you will rarely ever notice.
Why are My New Windows Drafty?
High Humidity Levels
If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes or storms that produce large amounts of rain on a regular basis, condensation that forms on your windows can enter the window seal and break it. Once the weather gets a bit colder, here comes the window draft.
Poor Quality Windows
Like it is with anything else you buy, you get what you pay for when purchasing windows. If you tried to save money by purchasing lower-quality windows, it won’t take long for your windows to start experiencing problems with drafts.
Mold and Mildew
Even if you recently got new windows, any mold and mildew that existed in the area where the new window was installed can quickly turn a new window into a drafty window. Should the weather stripping around your windows be rubber, mold and mildew can eat away at the rubber, making the weather stripping far less effective at keeping cold air outside.
How Can I Prevent Cold Air Coming Through The Windows in My Home?
1. Install Outdoor Shutters
Installing rolling shutters on the outside of your home can be a great way to instantly eliminate drafty windows. Not only do they make your home look even more beautiful and increase your property values, but they also provide your windows with an extra layer of insulation that will keep the cold air out and the warm air inside your home.
2. Install Plexiglass
A large sheet of plexiglass may help prevent cold air coming through windows, but it certainly won’t improve the looks of your home. To allow for complete functionality of your window, eliminate the cold drafts, and keep your home looking spectacular, opt instead for residential rolling shutters from us here at Rollac.
3. Insulating Curtains
Featuring tightly-woven fabric that does not let air in or out, insulating curtains that reach floor to ceiling can keep your home warm when it’s cold outside.
4. Use Draft Blockers
No, these aren’t big footSball players who will stand in front of your windows and prevent cold air from entering your home. Instead, draft blockers are cylinder-shaped pillows containing polyester fill. If you don’t mind having these at the base of your window sills, they can offer a limited amount of help.
5. Gas Fills
If you have double-paned windows, chances are they may have air filling the space between the panes. By opting to either replace older air-filled windows with gas-filled windows or using a gas fill on your existing windows, you may be able to plug some holes and prevent your windows from being drafty.
6. Glaze the Glass
When you glaze the glass on your windows, you’ll seal the air gap between both panes of glass. This reduces air transfer and creates extra insulation, both of which will help keep your heating bill lower and your home warmer.
7. Repair the Weather Stripping
If you are looking for a cost-efficient way to prevent drafty windows, it may be as simple as making some repairs to the existing weather stripping on your home’s windows. A relatively easy DIY project, you can usually find the supplies you need at the local hardware store. If you don’t want to try it on your own, a window installation professional can easily handle the job.
8. Embrace the Sunlight
When you have a home that’s colder than you prefer, learning how to use the sunlight to your advantage can make quite a difference in your comfort level. If you open your curtains for a period of time when sunlight is directly shining through the windows, you can warm up your home very quickly. As a general rule, try opening the curtains on one side of your home during the day, then on the opposite side at night. Before you know it, this may be an easy solution to what has been a frustrating problem.
Let Rollac Help You
While you’ve got plenty of things you can try to win your battle against drafty windows and higher heating bills, our team here at Rollac believes installing rolling shutters often makes the most sense. Now that you know some of the benefits that come with these stylish and efficient shutters, let us help you find the perfect solution for your home.