How to Seal Drafty Windows in Just Minutes for Pennies

As winter approaches and much of the nation embraces for cold weather, we turn to the indoors as a place to keep warm. Your furnace works overtime, your insulation is put to the test and your cold weather clothing and jackets are put to good use. With winter's cold weather upon us, homeowners constantly seek out ways to make their homes more comfortable. A quick walk around inside your house can immediately point out any areas that are drafty. A drafty area is noticeable as the cold outside air penetrates through making areas of your home uncomfortable.

For most homes, there are but a few locations where outside air has the chance to penetrate into your home. Notably, these areas include the openings for your doors and your windows. These areas of your home are subject to the greatest amount of heat loss and the greatest likelihood of cold air penetration. Adequately sealing both doors and windows is a simple process that costs very little and will save you money on your heating and cooling bills.

The focus of this article will be on windows. Most homes have a dozen or more windows. Each and every window could potentially allow cold air in through the smallest cracks and crevices surrounding the window. However, there is a simple way to eliminate airs leaks without resorting to the shrink film and window wraps commonly used years ago.

The answer to a drafty window is caulk. Caulk can stop any air leak dead in its tracks. A modern window seals out all incoming air. They do not leak as the numerous seals within close off outside air. If the window does not leak, where is the cold, drafty air coming from? The answer is around the window frame. When properly installed, windows fit into a frame and are held in place by screws or nails or adhesive. The area around the window frame in then covered with a decorative molding or trim piece. The molding makes the finished window look complete, however it does little to block outside air from going around the exterior of the window frame and into the living areas of your home.

The decorative trim molding is just decorative. Without properly sealing gaps between the molding and the window frame and between the molding and the drywall of your house, air is sure to intrude. Their is a simple way to seal these gaps. Simply run an adequate bead of caulk along the entire length of the molding. Make sure to caulk the sides of the window, the top of the window, and the bottom of the window where it contacts the sill. Additionally, check the exterior side of the window. Inspect the caulk for any gaps. Fill the gaps with new caulk.

The process couldn't be easier and you will not have to resort to using shrink film or moving away from a drafty window in your home. Check all windows and ensure that they are properly sealed. By sealing your windows with caulk, you will prevent cold outside air from entering your home. This will save you a significant and noticeable amount on your heating bills and provide your with a comfortable place to stay all winter long.