How To Find The Cause of Drafty Windows

I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like fresh air every once in a while. However, most people aren’t too fond of fresh air infiltrating their home through drafty windows. Drafty windows not only cause discomfort; they drastically affect heating and cooling costs. Therefore, a drafty window is just like burning your hard-earned money. Even the slightest opening around a window in your home can be costly and uncomfortable.

How To Find The Cause of Drafty Windows

Here are a few tips to help you find and fix a draft in the windows in your home.

Inspect close points

A visual check around your windows should be your first step. Check the window to make sure it is shutting and latching correctly. In addition, give the latched window a tug. Does it feel sturdy? Even the smallest amount of give could mean your window is not closing correctly, leading to a draft. Secondly, after closing and latching the window, take note of the seal around the contact points, and walk away for an hour. Upon returning, check to see if the window has expanded at all around the points of contact. Keep in mind it can take a few minutes for a window to “settle” and reveal a gap that allows outside air to infiltrate the interior of your home.

Inspect rubber and silicone sealants

Check the rubber gasket and the sealant around both the static and mobile parts of the window. A brittle cracked gasket or gaps in the caulking could be the culprit. In double or triple pane windows, a failing gasket can cause an additional issue. Double and triple-pane windows contain insulating argon gas. If any part of the rubber gasket fails, the argon gas will escape. When inspecting the sealants around your drafty home windows, take your time. It only takes a small opening to invite a noticeable draft into your home.

Determine the windows’ age

It’s a simple fact of life, old windows are drafty, causing heating bills to skyrocket in winter months. Older windows are made from aluminum or wood. Neither wood or aluminum windows meet the minimum requirement for energy star efficient ratings. When it comes to older style wooden windows, continuous exposure to moisture will eventually cause them to warp. When the windows warp, they leave gaps between the window itself and the frame of your home. Over time outdated windows make veritable highways for drafts of cold air to enter your home.

Improperly installed windows

Just like anything when it comes to home improvement, it is imperative windows are installed by a professional. If the window is improperly fitted to the gap in the wall, you are guaranteed to have a drafty window in your home. Even if the window is fitted into the gap correctly, the problem could be linked to the window not being entirely sealed. Furthermore, if you have recently installed new windows, they could have been put into place where a compromised seal already exists. Proper installation of windows is not a project for the ‘weekend warrior’ homeowner. When it comes to installing windows, retain the help of a licensed contractor.

Drafty windows in your home can be extremely bothersome and expensive. Consequently, the costs accrued through inefficient heating and cooling add up. After doing a thorough inspection, take note of the potential flaws that are causing the drafty window. If you determine something needs to be replaced or repaired, contact a licensed contractor or a window and door professional. Above all, drafty windows in your home will not repair themselves. You will be saving yourself a lot of time and money by avoiding temporary solutions and having the work completed by a professional.

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