With winter on its way, it’s important to take steps to weatherproof your doors and windows. Doing so can help keep you warm throughout the winter, as well as significantly lower your heating bills. Below are a few ways to weatherproof your doors and windows that are quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive.
Weatherproofing Your Windows
There are a variety of different ways to lock the cold out of your windows. One simple solution is to use a sealant foam to fill any cracks or crevices in your windows. Since the foam is malleable, it will still allow you to easily open and shut your windows should you need to do so. Another easy fix for drafty windows is putting film over them. Using self-adhesive film or double-sided tape will help keep out the cold, though it does make it difficult to see out the window.
If you want to weatherproof your windows without adding something, such as film that will later be removed or foam sealant, consider purchasing heavy drapes. Heavy drapes can do double duty as a way to weatherproof your windows during the winter and summer months, and are easy to add and remove. Many drapes even come with insulated backing to help block out the cold. Another item that can easily be added or removed is a draft stopper. A draft stopper is usually filled with sand, beans, or other heavy material that can be placed at the bottom of a window to stop drafts in their tracks. Draft stoppers can be bought in a variety of decorative prints and solids, or can easily be made at home with fabric scraps or socks.
Weatherproofing Your Doors
Most people have fewer doors in their home than windows, but since doors are opened every time you enter and exit your home, it’s important that you have adequate weatherproofing. Using vinyl or rubber weather stripping on your doors is an easy way to help lock out the cold. Weather stripping can be added to a door very easily with staples or nails. Another great way to keep drafts at bay is a vinyl gasket. This is a good choice because it can easily be removed when winter ends.
The biggest part of your door that needs weatherproofing is the space between the bottom of your door and your floor. Here is where drafts can come in, leaving you feeling cold and letting out warm air, leading to higher energy costs. There are several ways to remedy this. One such way is the aforementioned draft stoppers. Just like the ones used for your windows, draft stoppers can be placed at the bottom of your door, keeping the cold air out and the warm air in where it belongs. While slightly more involved than a draft stopper, another way to stop drafts is a door sweep. A door sweep is attached to the bottom of your door with nails or with an adhesive. A door sweep will have a better seal on the door than a draft stopper, but takes a little time to be attached initially. A door sweep can be easily removed if necessary.
Jonathan Freedman is a security consultant who also writes for Qualified Hardware, one of the oldest Commercial door hardware companies in the country. He suggests checking out http://www.qualifiedhardware.com/ for a complete selection of commercial door accessories, from door hinges and closers to locks and alarmed exit devices.