5 Ways To Keep Cold Air From Coming Through Windows
To keep cold from running through windows, use caulk, weather strips, drapes, and more.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Drafty windows can severely impact the comfort level in your home and inflate your heating bill. If you've got cold air coming through your window, consider installing secondary glazings using weather strips or snakes, or hanging additional curtains.
Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own home—but if you live in a colder climate, and your windows aren’t properly insulated, you may experience cold air through your window. Then you'll spend a fortune trying to heat your home!
For your comfort, safety, and financial well-being, it's crucial that you fix any drafty windows. That's why
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1. Seal up visible gaps and cracks
The first thing you should do to keep cold air from coming through windows is to look for visible gaps and cracks in your window lining or surrounding the window area. If you find any, you’ll want to seal all of them up using caulk or a gap filler such as foam rope.
It’s also a good idea to run a thin layer of calk around the frame of all your windows—just in case.
2. Install secondary glazing
If the insulation problem is severe, you may want to consider having secondary glazing installed. This option is a little bit more expensive in the short term because you have to pay for professionals to install the glazing.
In the long-term, however, this might be a more economical solution. Secondary glazing is one of the most effective and versatile methods for improving the installation of your windows—so you’ll save money on heating over time.
It’s also fairly inconspicuous, so it won't affect the aesthetics of your house or its resale value.
Unlike permanently sealing your windows, secondary glazing also has the added bonus of allowing proper moisture ventilation—which helps prevent mold and moisture damage.
3. Install weather strips and snakes
Two of the fastest and easiest ways to keep cold air from coming through windows are to apply weather strips or snakes. These two methods are fairly cheap, and you can apply them yourself in just a couple of minutes.
Snakes or “draft snakes” are cloth and foam rollers that easily slide under your windows to prevent cold air from running underneath. While they're usually used for drafty doors, snakes can be just as effective for windows.
Weather strips are adhesive strips that you can stick along the window frame to stop air from getting in. You can find them in three varieties: V strips, compression strips, and foam strips, but foam strips are usually the most effective.
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4. Use window insulation kits
Another great option is to purchase window insulation kits, which are sheets of plastic film designed to coat your windows.
Install the kits by sticking the plastic film to your windows using double-sided tape. Then, use a hair dryer to heat and shrink the plastic into place. Once installed, the kits will help keep warm air in and cold air out!
5. Hang heavy drapes, curtains, and/or blinds
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Don’t underestimate the insulating effect that heavy drapes or window curtains can have.
For the best effect, layer these physical barriers. You could install exterior window blinds, then a layer of curtains, and lastly a nice heavy set of drapes.
MORE: All you need to know about central heating and cooling
Finding affordable home insurance
Keeping cold air from running through your windows will help you cut down the cost to keep your home warm during the winter. However, if you really want to put a dent in your monthly expenses, you should take a moment or two to review your
homeowners insurance
.It's a good idea to review your home insurance coverage at least once a year. That way you can compare your premiums with those of similar available policies. The fastest and the easiest way to compare policies is by using
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FAQs
Can home insurance help pay for added insulation?
If your windows are drafty because they were damaged during a storm or other
named peril
, your insurance might help cover the cost of installing additional insulation. If they are drafty simply because they are old or poorly made, then you will likely be paying out of pocket.
Does homeowners insurance pay for window repairs?
Insurance providers are mainly concerned with what caused the damage to your windows. If your windows need to be repaired due to a damaging event that is specifically listed on your insurance policy, then you should be able to submit a claim.
How do you fix drafty windows?
You can keep cold air from running through drafty windows by sealing up any cracks with caulk, installing secondary glazing, using window insulation kits, or hanging additional curtains and drapes.
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