If you do not have double-insulated windows in your home, chances are you have drafty windows. Drafty windows are one of the biggest sources of heat loss in many homes. Adding insulation around your windows can really cut down on drafts and reduce your heating bill. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to fix your drafty windows.
Step 1 Gather the tools and supplies you will need to fix your drafty windows
To fix your drafty windows you will need: a putty knife, utility knife, fiberglass insulation, a caulking gun, all-weather caulk, two-sided tape, weather stripping, molding-strip films, hair dryer, and a heat-shrink film kit.
Step 2 Insert the fiberglass insulation
Remove the inner window trim and fill the gaps around the windows with fiberglass insulation. Stuff the insulation in with your putty knife, but be careful you don’t pack it too tight. Once you have the insulation in place, replace the window trim.
Step 3 Re-caulk around the outside of the window
Remove the old caulk from the window. Then, using your caulk gun, caulk along the outside of the window with all-weather caulk.
Step 4 Place molding-strip films around the outside of the window
Using your utility knife, cut the molding-strip films to size. Miter the corners of the strips at 45-degree angles. Place the strips around the outside of the window.
Step 5 Add the interior weather stripping
To plug drafts around the window, add interior weather stripping in between the frame and sash. The weather stripping can be vinyl, plastic, foam or felt strips. Follow the instructions given by the manufacture to install the weather stripping.
Step 6 Clean off the inner window trim.
Step 7 Seal the heat-shrink kit
Cut the heat-shrink film so that it is two inches longer than the window. Add two-sided tape onto the window trim and press it into place. Use a hair dryer to heat the film. The hair dryer should be set on high. Move the dryer from side to side across the film until it shrinks and there are no wrinkles or creases.
Insulating your windows will really cut down on the drafts and you will see a big difference in your heating bill. Just follow these 7 easy steps and you will have draft- free windows in no time at all.
Mon, Mar 2, 2009
Windows