Modern windows and doors are often sealed with a strip of weatherproofing material, both to keep indoor air from leaking to the outside and outdoor air from getting into your interiors. This means that your air conditioning is more effective with a properly sealed window and door. However, these seals can break over years of normal wear and tear, which means air is now more freely flowing between your interiors and exteriors. This is known as a draft and is one of the biggest problems that homeowners face during winter months.
Drafts are more common in older windows and doors. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to minimize their effects and even stop them from occurring completely.
Identify Problem Areas
Drafts are wafts of cold air that squeeze through tiny cracks and breaks in your windows, the sashes and the frames. Check all openings inside your home, and determine which windows feel colder than the rest. This is likely where the draft is occurring. Take the time to check the edges of your doors as well to make sure that they are as air tight as possible.
Sealing the Cracks
There are effective V-seal weatherstripping materials available at your local handyman shop. You can use these to reinforce aging seals around the areas where the frame attaches your windows to the walls. For areas with angles and hard-to-reach corners, you can also use rope caulk to seal any damage. In a pinch, shrink wrap can also be used to serve as a temporary barrier that can stop drafts from occurring.
Contact the Pros
The most reliable way to address drafty doors and windows is to call in your local home remodeling contractor and replace all your aging fixtures. Drafts are a definite sign that you may be due for a replacement, and having a professional fix the issue right away can save you plenty of money and headaches in the future.
Get rid of draft problems with the help of our window specialists at Renewal by Andersen® of St. Louis. Give us a call at (314) 983-9977, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation and request a free estimate today. We serve homeowners in St. Louis as well as other nearby areas.
