Every year, when winter rolls around, you may turn up the heat to no avail and still find that you need to wear layers of clothing even while indoors. If you can’t bear another winter with frigid air seeping into your home, take a look at your windows. Window insulation for winter will help you keep your home cozier and prevent reduced energy efficiency.
Pinnacle Home Improvements is committed to enhancing homeowners’ homes’ efficiency and comfort. Our Charlotte window replacement company offers comprehensive home improvement solutions, focusing on quality materials, craftsmanship, and customer service.
In this article, we discuss the importance of winter window sealing and when to consider having your windows replaced for the best winter insulation.
The Importance of Window Insulation
You may look out your windows and enjoy the view, though windows provide much more than a glimpse outdoors from your home. They are also an integral part of keeping your home insulated. As your home and its windows age, the effectiveness of their insulation begins to wear thin.
You’ll likely notice that your heating system is working harder to maintain your ideal temperature. You may also feel cold bursts of air coming through your closed windows when you stand near them.
Sure, you could throw on a sweater and call it a day. However, when your window insulation needs attention, you’re wasting money on energy costs. Your heated air is quickly escaping, and in time, it adds up in many ways. Your electric bills will increase from a combination of this heat loss and forcing your heating system to work harder to compensate for it.
Insulating windows for cold weather reduces this heat loss and prevents wasted energy. It saves you money while improving your comfort. If you’ve noticed your energy bills are getting out of control, don’t suffer through another long, cold winter without window insulation.
Methods for Insulating Windows for Cold Weather
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your suffering during winter. Try these winter window sealing tips to help increase your comfort at home.
Use Caulk on Gaps and Cracks
If your windows aren’t all that old, they may just need a little help. Take a look around the seal, and if you see the caulk cracked, gapped, or peeling, you can use the caulk to fix it. Ideally, though, you should inspect all parts of your windows. You may have broken window locks or more severe issues that will require professional attention.
Try Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is another way to add window insulation for winter. If you put it at the bottom of each window, it restricts cold air from coming through. You may also find this helpful on your doors. This tip is easy for anyone who likes DIY work, though always make sure that you apply it correctly so that it doesn’t prevent the easy opening or closing of windows or doors.
Choose Thermal Curtains or Film Treatments
Thermal curtains can redecorate your interior while insulating windows for cold weather. These come in many colors and styles and offer added insulation for your home. Thermal curtains reflect cold back to the outside and can enhance the cozy feeling indoors. However, the only problem is that you must keep them closed to get these insulating effects, which will prevent natural light from illuminating your interior.
Using plastic films is another option, one that can work in a pinch at minimal expense. If it’s already getting cold in your home, you can try this trick for winter window sealing, though it is not a long-term solution. It will work until you are able to schedule a professional window replacement to have new, energy-efficient, insulated windows installed throughout your home.
DIY vs. Professional Winter Window Sealing
If you enjoy doing things yourself and there are only minor issues with your drafty windows, you may be fine fixing them yourself. Caulking, adding film, and weatherstripping are relatively simple tasks for someone with DIY experience.
However, if your windows are experiencing more significant issues, even if you are handy, you should let professionals take over. You’ll want to have someone with experience in window replacement to ensure that new windows are installed according to building codes. If you incorrectly install something like this, it can cause issues with your homeowner’s insurance, not to mention leave your home more vulnerable to costly structural damage.
When to Consider Professional Window Installation from Pinnacle Home Improvements
Some of the simple tricks mentioned above can be used to insulate windows for cold weather. However, when you have old or damaged windows in your home, you should consider professional window replacement.
If you have single-pane windows, winter window sealing can only do so much. Replacing them with more durable, energy-efficient double-glazed or even triple-glazed windows will be a worthy investment that keeps your home protected for years to come. When you make this upgrade to your home, you can also enhance its aesthetics while aligning with its original architecture. This will give it a beautiful, revived look, all while providing you with more excellent insulation and energy efficiency.
Once you make these vital updates to your home, you will no longer need to winterize your windows. Insulating windows for cold weather can take up a lot of your time. With new windows, you can enjoy more time to yourself in the comforts of your warm and cozy home.
Pinnacle Home Improvements also provides other ways to insulate your home and make it more energy-efficient. Our home improvement services focus on not only beautifying your home but also making it more reliable in serving your needs. If your home often feels too cold in the winter, even when you take steps to winterize your windows, contact us to get a free quote on our services and learn how we can restore your comfort.
