Why the Time is Now to Check Your Doors and Windows for Drafts

1. Why the Time is Now to Check Your Doors and Windows for Drafts Winter has hit, and you might have noticed your electricity bill rise in the past couple of months. Although the holidays might make you warm and fuzzy inside, the cool air and lower temperatures might be preventing you from enjoying the season. If you’re worried about the dropping temperatures in your home, it might be time to check your windows and doors for drafts. Drafty windows and doors can let the warm air out and the cool air in, making you and your loved ones colder this winter. Winter is a great time to check your windows and doors for drafts because it is most noticeable during the cold season. During the spring and fall, temperatures inside and outside of the home might feel quite similar, so you don’t notice if air is escaping your home. So why do our windows and doors get drafty at all?

2. Window fixtures are often made of wood, aluminum, or vinyl, and over time, these fixtures can degrade due to weathering and age. Wood fixtures might warp with extended exposure to the sun and moisture. This exposure causes the wood to expand and shrink, depending on the season, and the changes in shape and size can create gaps between the window and the edges of the wall. Similarly, vinyl can experience wear and tear from extended use, or sealants might degrade over time. Aluminum windows might not be affected by weather, but they might be dented or bent, so they don’t properly align with the edges of the window frame. Doors might also be the cause of drafts in your house. Like the warping of wooden window frames, doors are exposed to moisture and sunlight which cause expanding and shrinking. This degradation might make it difficult to close the door fully or create gaps between the door and the door frame. If you live in an older house, you should check your windows and doors for leaks. In the winter, drafty windows can greatly affect the temperature of the inside of the home. If you find that there are a number of windows or doors that leak air out, it might be time to replace these fixtures. One of the best things you can do is hire a professional to replace your windows. Although you’ll need to invest some money on the new windows, you’ll be saving a lot on your electricity bills in the future. For leaky doors, you have a few options. First, you could replace the door entirely so that it matches the door frame correctly. If you’re not ready to spring for a door renovation, you might want to install a draft strip. The largest gap on an outside facing door is often on the bottom because you don’t want your door scraping your floors. The elevated door creates a large gap that allows air to flow in and out of the house. Draft strips can be installed to seal that gap without scraping the floor because they are often made with a vinyl cushion or flexible bristles. Tired of leaving the heater on all winter? Don’t waste another penny. Today’s the day to inspect your windows and doors for air leaks!