Winterizing a Home at the Windows

Before you start the fight against the winter cold with your heater as your weapon again this year, go into the fight more prepared than you have before. The best defense you can have against the relentless cold that the winter throws at you is to create a barrier between you and it.You can create this barrier by fortifying your current windows and applying caulking wherever you find gaps or holes that the cold can sneak in through. You can also add additional barriers between the inside, and the outside of your home, so if the cold gets through one barrier there is an additional one that can stop it.Winterizing with PlasticYou can purchase winterizing kits for your windows that consist of plastic sheets and double-sided tape. The kits can be found in the hardware section of most stores (or in hardware stores).To use, first attach the tape to the wall just before it indents inward to the window. The plastic sheets are then unfolded, and the edges are placed on the sticky tape. After the plastic is stuck to the tape, there will be a space between the window and the plastic sheet; this is normal.Finally, take a hairdryer and direct the heat along the edge of the plastic were it is stuck to the tape. The heat will cause the plastic to shrink and become taunt, creating a sealed space between the plastic and the window. This sealed, plastic barrier will prevent the cold air from leaking in your home during the winter months.This may not be the most attractive way to winterize your home, but it is effective in keeping the cold air out and the warm air in. Sometimes you have to give up aesthetics for efficiency in order to keep heating bills down in the winter.Energy-efficient Windows Winterizing As always, the most dependable way to winterize your home is to install energy-efficient windows. When you first put them in, yes, they can be expensive and create a small inconvenience. However, it is only when they are first installed that this happens. After that, you won’t have to worry about going around to all of your windows every fall and put up plastic sheeting or perform other winterizing chores.Energy-efficient windows will be all the winterizing you need for years and years to come. Renewal by Andersen's award winning team is here to answer any questions you may have about energy efficient windows. Schedule a free in-home consultation today.