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November 11, 2008
Reducing Drqaft from Old Window
I need some advice on what to do to reduce old drafty windows. I live in brownstone that has some pretty old windows. I plan to change them in the spring/summer '09 but need a solution to hold me over until I do. Please help!!!
Comments
home depot have sth that looks like an insulation foam. it looks like a doublesided tape and you can keep your old windows from leting the cold air into your room, even great for the door.
I believe I have one of those in the house, will check it later for the exact name of it.
Posted by: karo25 at November 11, 2008 3:21 PM
In addition to weatherstripping, there are "shrink and seal" products on the market, which you can find at HD, Lowe's, Amazon, etc. It's clear film and tape which, once applied, you shrink to fit using a hair dryer.
Posted by: vinca at November 11, 2008 3:46 PM
that's true vinca. I did not use the protective film but taped all my windows and doors since you can already feel the draft coming in. It works just fine.
http://lifeflix.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-insulate-your-windows-for-winter.html
Posted by: karo25 at November 11, 2008 3:53 PM
The Victorians would have used shutters and heavy lined velvet curtains. If you don't have any of those hanging around, used moving quilts might help.
Posted by: mopar at November 11, 2008 6:06 PM
I had a similar problem.
Two solutions.
First, put up simple blinds and curtains. That will provide some insulation.
Second, put a sweep on the front of your door. I found in my apartment that there was significant air flow under the door. Combine that with a leaking window, and it's drafty. A rubber sweep seals the bottom of the front door, and makes it less drafty. One of those long beanbags also works, but is ugly.
Third, check where the upper and lower panel of your windows meet. In old windows, there might be a hole there, you can stuff with foam.
Posted by: theandrewlee at November 11, 2008 6:24 PM
I agree about the heavy curtains. We had drafty windows in our old coop apartment, including the window that was right over our bed. That bedroom was freezing. I hung heavy velvet/tapestry lined drapes on that window and it warmed up the room's temperature by 10 degrees. We were able to sleep right under the window comfortably. I didn't use both shutters and drapes, just drapes. In the living room I used only wood blinds not drapes, but even that helped.
My drapes for the bedroom window that were so effective were made for me by a seamstress, but you can get reasonably priced special insulated drapes in decent textures and colors from JC Penney online. I used those in another room.
Posted by: traditionalmod at November 12, 2008 11:36 AM
I used this "putty like" tape which works pretty well.
Anywhere I can buy those those long bean bags you put at the bottom of the door? Haven't see them in a long time.
Posted by: HurricaneKate at November 12, 2008 3:27 PM
I have the same problem. I have old wooden windows.
The best weatherstripping for wood (I will assume this is what you have?) is spring bronze weatherstripping.
If you do have the original wood windows -- DO NOT REPLACE THEM!!! just get storms instead, and repair what you can. New windows are all (mostly) crap, and will eventually draft worse than old ones -- if you have your original windows, that means they lasted some 100 years, which says a lot. They also have natural old-growth wood, which you almost can't even get anymore...
Posted by: townhouser at November 12, 2008 4:58 PM
Very interesting, Townhouser. Why have so many people replaced their wooden windows instead of just putting on storm windows? Ignorance? Cost? Convenience?
So many big apt buildings have replaced their old metal multi-paned windows from the 30s and 40s (guess these didn't take storm windows) that it's completely transformed the look of New York streets (not for the better, alas).
Posted by: mopar at November 13, 2008 11:56 AM
thick clear plastic and duct tape. The kind you can see through, it is sometimes a little hard to find. Some 99cents variety stores sell it by the foot on a big reel. If you use white duct tape and the insides of your windows happen to be white and do a neat taping job, it actually doesn't look completely hideous. What I used to do in my rental was save the pieces I bought/cut to size, and reuse it year after year. I never had luck with the hairdryer shrink to fit kits. Even when I did get it applied properly, it still felt drafty.
Posted by: bqe1970 at November 13, 2008 12:53 PM
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