If you’ve noticed a light breeze or a change in temperature around the windows in your home, you might be dealing with a draft.
At best, a drafty window can be a nuisance, and, at worst, it can drive up your energy bills, as air passes through the windows’ cracks.
Either way, it’s essential to know how to stop drafty windows to prevent unwanted air from entering or leaving your home, especially as the temperature outside starts to drop.
So, how do you keep drafts out of windows? Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about identifying and addressing drafty windows to help ensure your home is ready for the cooler months ahead.
Understanding Window Drafts
Before we address how to prevent drafts from windows, it’s essential to understand what causes them and how to recognize them in the first place.
What Causes Drafts in Windows?
Drafty windows are often the result of simple wear and tear. Over time, weatherstripping, caulking, seals, panes, and frames can deteriorate, crack, or warp, allowing air to pass through the gaps.
However, you may also experience drafts due to outdated window designs. After all, many older models, such as single-pane windows, were not designed with the energy-efficient features that we see today.
Other contributing factors may include improper installation, window damage, or even issues with the window setting itself.
In some cases, you can tackle these problems on your own; however, for more advanced issues, hiring a professional contractor may be in order.
Signs of Drafty Windows
A breeze is perhaps the most obvious sign that you have a drafty window on your hands. You may notice some air flow around the window or a temperature difference compared to other areas of your home.
That said, the breeze may be too slight for you to feel it, so you can test for a draft in other ways. For example, place a curtain or a candle in front of the window to see if it causes the fabric to move or the flame to flicker.
You can also inspect the window for condensation on the glass, which could suggest the seals have deteriorated, or for visible cracks along the pane where air could escape. You might even see light seeping through a gap.
Another telltale sign of a drafty window is a noticeable spike in your energy bills. This can occur when your heating or air conditioning system needs to work harder to maintain the temperature in your home.
If you’ve noticed a light breeze or a change in temperature around the windows in your home, you might be dealing with a draft.
At best, a drafty window can be a nuisance, and, at worst, it can drive up your energy bills, as air passes through the windows’ cracks.
Either way, it’s essential to know how to stop drafty windows to prevent unwanted air from entering or leaving your home, especially as the temperature outside starts to drop.
So, how do you keep drafts out of windows? Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about identifying and addressing drafty windows to help ensure your home is ready for the cooler months ahead.
Understanding Window Drafts
Before we address how to prevent drafts from windows, it’s essential to understand what causes them and how to recognize them in the first place.
What Causes Drafts in Windows?
Drafty windows are often the result of simple wear and tear. Over time, weatherstripping, caulking, seals, panes, and frames can deteriorate, crack, or warp, allowing air to pass through the gaps.
However, you may also experience drafts due to outdated window designs. After all, many older models, such as single-pane windows, were not designed with the energy-efficient features that we see today.
Other contributing factors may include improper installation, window damage, or even issues with the window setting itself.
In some cases, you can tackle these problems on your own; however, for more advanced issues, hiring a professional contractor may be in order.
Signs of Drafty Windows
A breeze is perhaps the most obvious sign that you have a drafty window on your hands. You may notice some air flow around the window or a temperature difference compared to other areas of your home.
That said, the breeze may be too slight for you to feel it, so you can test for a draft in other ways. For example, place a curtain or a candle in front of the window to see if it causes the fabric to move or the flame to flicker.
You can also inspect the window for condensation on the glass, which could suggest the seals have deteriorated, or for visible cracks along the pane where air could escape. You might even see light seeping through a gap.
Another telltale sign of a drafty window is a noticeable spike in your energy bills. This can occur when your heating or air conditioning system needs to work harder to maintain the temperature in your home.
Effective Methods of Stopping Drafty Windows
With a better understanding of how to recognize a draft in your home, let’s discuss some key ways of stopping window drafts.
Weatherstripping Your Windows
Weatherstripping is one way to help stop drafty windows. It involves sealing the border around your window with a material, such as rubber, foam, or vinyl, to prevent air and moisture from passing through the gaps.
If you’ve had your window for a while, replacing the old weatherstripping may help create the barrier you need to cut off any drafts.
Using Window Films
Our next tip on how to keep drafts out of windows involves applying a layer of window film to the window pane. Window film is a clear sticker that goes over the glass, providing an air barrier between the film and the glass.
Caulking Gaps and Cracks
Caulking is another popular method of preventing window drafts. To do so, apply a thin layer of caulking to any gaps or cracks along the frame, wall, or window trim.
If there is old or cracked caulking already in place, gently remove it and apply a new, thin layer to seal off the holes.
Best Practices for Energy Efficiency
Your energy bill is not going to be pretty if your AC or heating system is trying to compete with your drafty windows. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to stop drafty windows before they become a problem.
Regular Maintenance Tips
Regularly inspecting your windows is one of the best ways to get ahead of the issue. Examine your windows for any of the previously discussed signs, such as breezes or condensation. Also, inspect the window pane and frame for gaps, cracks, or holes, and determine if you need to replace the weatherstripping or caulk.
Upgrading to Energy-Efficient Windows
If you’re constantly battling your drafty windows, it may be time for an upgrade. Investing in energy-efficient windows can help insulate your home and lower your energy costs.
With so many options, how do you know which windows to choose? When shopping around, we recommend exploring energy-efficiency options, which may involve familiarizing yourself with thermal performance and solar radiation measures, as well as examining various features, such as glass coatings and window spacers.
When to Seek Professional Help
Despite trying all these tips and tricks to prevent window drafts on your own, sometimes, you may need to call a professional for help.
Identifying Serious Issues
Professional contractors are the experts and know how to stop drafty windows. They can address a wide range of issues, such as resolving faulty installations and correcting warped frames. They can also identify structural or foundation problems that can contribute to drafts.
Choosing the Right Contractor
Research reputable contractors in your area who specialize in window installation and repair. Ask your friends or neighbors for recommendations and be sure to look into the contractor’s credentials, reviews, pricing, and availability.
Prevent Window Drafts Today
As we head into the winter months, now’s the time to address your drafty windows. If you’re ready to replace your old, broken, or drafty windows, turn to MILGARD for all your window needs. We offer the best selection of energy-efficient window designs to help ensure your home will withstand the cooler temperatures ahead.
Find a certified dealer near you today, and don’t miss our special fall promo!
FAQs
Your windows may be drafty if you feel a breeze coming from them or notice condensation on the panes. To test for a breeze, place a candle in front of the window frame. If the flame flickers, there’s a draft coming through the window.
The best methods for sealing drafty windows include weatherstripping, caulking gaps, and using window films for added insulation. If these solutions don’t work, you may want to consider replacing your old windows with new, energy-efficient windows.
Yes, applying a plastic window film to the glass can help create an insulating barrier to help prevent drafts and reduce energy loss.
We recommend checking your windows for drafts at least once a year, especially before the winter.
Some common signs that it’s time to replace your windows include experiencing difficulty opening or closing them, feeling a draft, noticing condensation between panes, or seeing visible wear or damage to the frames.
