In the summer or the winter, having drafty windows is a problem. One that needs solving. A drafty window in summer lets your cold air leak out and hot air in. This drives up your home’s energy usage (and thus, your electricity bill) since your AC has to work harder to keep your home cool.
In winter, drafty windows let in the cold air and, potentially, insects that are trying to escape the cold.
Add to that the increased risk of moisture intrusion year-round, and having drafts in your home can cost you a lot more than just some discomfort!
But, how can you deal with drafty windows? Let’s go over some of the basic tips for finding and fixing drafty windows in your home:
How to Identify Drafty Windows in Your Home
One of the hardest things about drafty windows, especially in a larger home, is finding them in the first place. You might assume that the breeze in your home is coming from the air conditioning or the fans, but it could be coming from a window with a bad air leak.
To find a drafty window, you could try the “candle trick.” This is an old way of finding unwanted gaps in your home’s walls and windows.
First, start by shutting all of your home’s windows and doors, then turning off your air conditioning and fans. You don’t want anything in the home to be pushing air.
Second, light a candle and look at the flame. Does it flicker or does the smoke coming off the wick drift towards your window frame? If so, your window might have a leak. Repeat this test at each window you suspect may have a gap letting air flow through it.
Some older windows might not close fully. You can test this by putting a piece of paper in the path of the window sash near the sill and closing the window on it (for a vertically-opening window). Pull on the paper and see if it catches on the window. If it slides out easily, then you might have a gap between the window sash and the frame which air can pass through.
Careful visual inspection of your windows can also be a good way to identify drafty windows. For example, if the caulking around your window is cracked and worn out, that could be an indication that air can pass through the gap the caulking would normally seal.
Check along the frame of the window for signs of gaps or deterioration and warping. Glass should be checked for chips and cracks, as well. It may also help to inspect the window sashes and verify that they’re fully within the window frame and properly aligned.
Another visual inspection trick is to, if you have them, look to see if your curtains move significantly when the window is closed on a windy day, as that could be indicative of air flow. This typically works best with lighter curtains, though. Heavy curtains tend to be harder to move, so mild drafts won’t move them as much.
These are just a few of the ways that you could potentially identify drafty windows in your home even without professional assistance. Other indicators could include your home changing temperature rapidly to match the outside temperature, rattling noises from windows on breezy days (which might be a sign of worn-out windows), and pest infestations around your windows.
How to Fix Drafty Windows
Okay, so say you have a drafty window. How do you fix it? The fix you employ will likely change depending on the reason for the draft.
For example, if the caulking or weatherstripping around your window is worn out, you might be able to fix it yourself by removing the old material and replacing it with new caulking or weatherstripping.
Fixing Drafty Windows by Replacing the Caulk
To remove and replace old caulking from around your window, you should:
- Get a utility knife and/or putty knife.
- Carefully clear away the old, worn caulk with the knife. You may need to make an initial cut with the knife to break the seal before scraping/peeling the caulk. Try to peel off strips while holding the knife at an angle.
- Clean the old caulk away fully. Go back over the stripped caulking with a sharp knife to remove as much of any stuck-on material as you can.
- Use a brush or cloth to remove any loose dirt and debris from the installation site. You may want to apply some rubbing alcohol or commercial cleaning solution to get the tiny bits of oil and dirt out of the space around the window so your new caulk can be applied cleanly.
- Let the site dry.
- (Optional) Apply painter’s tape to the space around the edge of the window frame to make creating a clean edge to the caulk line easier.
- Prepare your caulk gun by loading a caulk tube and cutting the tip at a close to 45-degree angle. Why a 45-degree angle? Because, it makes it easier to apply the caulk to the window more evenly.
- Using steady, even pressure, apply caulk to the window while holding the gun at a 45-degree angle so the “bead” applies smoothly and evenly to the window.
- Right after applying the caulk, use a caulk tool or damp finger to smooth out the bead (the line of caulk you just applied) out so it looks smooth and even (and potentially fill up any gaps).
- Clean up the excess caulk with a caulk removal tool before it dries. If you applied painter’s tape, peel it off now.
- Allow the caulk to dry.
How to Fix Drafty Windows: Replacing Old Weatherstripping
The process for removing old weatherstripping and replacing it is similar in many ways to removing old caulking.
- Check the condition of the weatherstripping to see if it’s worn or in need of repair.
- Remove the old weatherstripping with a putty knife or pliers (preferably needle-nosed). If the weatherstripping was stapled in place, you will need to pull out the staples and may want to fill the holes with epoxy or wood putty (depending on the type of window).
- Note: If the weatherstripping is inside the window sash’s channels, you may need to remove your window sash first. Consult your window manufacturer’s owner’s manual for advice on how to do this.
- Clean the area where the weatherstripping was with a cloth soaked with a cleaning solution like rubbing alcohol or other cleaner so there’s no debris to impair the adhesive of the new weatherstripping.
- Measure the length of the channel or area where the weatherstripping will be installed. Double check the measurements, then cut the new weatherstripping to match.
- Apply the new weatherstripping. The application process may vary depending on the weatherstripping used. Consult the instructions for your weatherstripping for details on application.
- Check the seal. Close the window to verify that the new weatherstripping fits and is providing a strong seal.
What If It Isn’t Caulking or Weatherstripping? How Do I Fix My Drafty Window Then?
The method of repair you use may depend on the problem causing the draft. If the draft isn’t due to a defect in the caulking or the weatherstripping, then you might need to make more comprehensive repairs to your window—up to and including replacing it entirely!
For example, with some windows, there may not be enough insulation in the area around the window opening, allowing heat transfer between the inside and outside. This would require a check of your home’s insulation and a potential upgrade or replacement of the insulation behind your walls.
Alternatively, cracks or chips in the window glass might require you to replace the damaged glass or, in some cases, replace the whole window. Sometimes, a cracked window is caused by pressure on the window frame from the building settling, so just replacing the sash or the window with an identically-sized and -shaped window will only result in the new glass becoming cracked, too.
In these cases, you may need to have your windows checked and re-measured for new custom-sized windows to prevent repeated cracking.
Where to Get New Windows That Won’t Be Drafty
If your windows have a persistent draft or you just can’t seem to get the temperatures in your home to stay cool in summer or warm in winter, it may be time to replace your windows entirely with new energy-efficient windows that have stronger insulation than the industry standard!
But, where can you find windows with the right combination of insulation, durability, and longevity in the face of Florida’s harshest conditions? Karoly Windows & Doors is here to help.
We work with top window manufacturers in Florida to source custom-sized windows that are tailored to your needs so you can always get the best windows for your home, bar none.
When you call on us, we’ll send an expert out to your home to assess your window openings to check for common issues that cause drafty windows, provide recommendations for replacing your windows, and a quote that takes into account everything needed to make your window openings tightly sealed again.
Get new impact windows that feature reinforced construction, energy-efficient vinyl frames that resist thermal transfer, multiple panes of glass to increase insulation, Low-e coatings that reflect away hot sunlight, and precisely-shaped frames to more securely and completely seal your window openings.
Reach out today for extremely energy efficient windows for your home and get installation service from the top window replacement company in Tampa Bay!
