Are Your Windows Ready for Winter? Here Are Seven Ways to Beat the Draft

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    According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat escaping your windows — and drafts coming in — can account for ten to twenty percent of your heating bill. When you’re paying for your own heat, those costs can add up fast.

    In the suburbs, people might not think twice about getting new windows put in, but what about your historic Brooklyn townhouse? Is replacing the windows an option? If not, what are some other ways you can beat the draft?

    We asked two of our Brownstoner Services Pros, Peter Madias of Method Restoration LLC and James Dibella of Bella Window Treatments, for their expert advice on how to keep your windows sealed and your home nice and toasty.

    Tips from Peter Madias, Method Restoration LLC

    If you have older windows, check the edges of the panes.
    The window glazing compound should have a good seal on the glass. If not, it should be removed and reapplied. Once it’s replaced, you can apply a light coating of linseed oil to help longevity. Properly maintained, this seal should last for decades.

    Be careful when you paint windows.
    Meeting rails (the upper rail of the lower sash and the lower rail of the upper sash) should not have drops of dried paint drips between them. This inhibits the drawing together of the rails by the sash lock, preventing a proper seal.

    Apply weather stripping.
    Weather stripping, whether metal, pile, or both, can be retrofitted to help bridge gaps and prevent drafts.

    Tips from James Dibella, Bella Window Treatments

    Dress up your windows with shades…
    Double-insulated, pleated shades do a great job cutting down on drafts and keeping the warm air in. They come in many fashion-forward colors and do a great job of dressing up a room. As an added bonus, the insulation also helps to keep the room cool in the summer time. They are versatile, effective and nice to look at.

    …or heavy drapes.
    Heavy drapery has been used for centuries to keep drafts out. The high cost, however, has caused drapes to fall out of favor among many city apartment dwellers. Fabrics can run to hundreds of dollars per yard, and their heaviness tends to make all but the most grand rooms feel closed in .

    For maximum insulation, seal it up.
    You may have seen window insulation film in your local home improvement store. What it basically does is to vacuum seal the window. It’s simple to do and effective for very drafty windows. The only downside is that once they are up, for most people, they are up for the season. That means if a sudden burst of warm air breaks through there is no opening the windows… unless you really enjoy sealing and re-sealing them!

    Get yourself a snake.
    Last but not least, there are the old reliable “window snakes.” Blocking out the cold air is really just a matter of intercepting the draft. Window snakes do a good job of this, unless the draft is coming from  somewhere other than the bottom of the window.

     

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