Home Repairs - Winterize your Exterior Doors and Windows
65August 31, 2010
Source: Door Smart
I cannot stress the importance of winterizing or summerizing your home. You are basically going to apply caulking that will serve as insulation for your exterior doors and windows.
Winterizing vs. Summerizing
You are accomplishing the same goal with your windows and doors when you winterize/summerize. You are restricting air flow in and out of your home. You are basically plugging the leaks.
With winterizing, you are keeping the heat in and the cold out, and with Summerizing, you are making sure that expensive air conditioning stays inside.
What do I need to Seal my Doors and Windows
I recommend using silicone caulking to seal your windows and exterior doors. You will aslo need a caulk gun and something to cut the tip of the caulk cartridge.
The color of your caulking should match your exterior paint on the doors and windows, or on the house. I personally use almond because it matches my paint on the window and door molding.
Some folks like to use little tools to apply the caulk. I find they only create more of a mess.
How do I Seal my Exterior Doors and Windows
Once you have assembled your caulk gun and cut the tip off, squeeze a bead of caulk (be generous) in the corner between the door/window and the house. Go all the way around the exterior of the window/door.
Now comes the fun part. Make sure you have a moist rag before you do this step. Place the end of your finger and smooth the caulk out all the way around the exterior windor/door. It doesn't have to look pretty, it just has to make a seal.
Remember that rag? Wipe off the excess. If you find you have a lot caulking left over on your finger, you probably used too much, back off a little bit on the next door/window.
You have just started a very inexpensive, very effective "green" home repair.
Let me know if you have any questions by leaving a comment below. I monitor my hubs and am always happy to help out.
Craig
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I have some experience with it in Seattle, WA during the winter months. At best it stopped the drafts coming through the aluminum windows. The heavier the plastic, the more insulation.
That is what I was thinking expecially for the basement at least anythign will keep the wind from coming in as much .. went with 3mil painters tarps were less then $10 so worth a shot for sure.
Thanks for responding
~Expect Miracles
I am back smiles .. tape is being pulled off today with the heavy winds outside coming through the window .. any suggestions? I used clear packaging tape .. perhaps I used wrong kind lol At least the wind is being deflected some and I feel plastic is helping a bit but would like to keep a seal on it better .. thanks for your time and help.
~Expect Miracles
Depending on what you have surrounding your window, you might try tacking down the plastic. Make sure you roll over the plastic a couple times to make it more rigid. Also, use Duck Tape to seal it after you tack it down. If you have that wind coming through, you might go ahead and caulk the gaps to prevent the air from coming through. Finally, try doing the outside too. The issue is the pressure is trying to balance out between the outside and inside. Covering both sides should help.
Great tips thank YOU caulk won't really do wind is coming through the windows themselves like in the middle where the 2 parts meet .. poor design. Love the idea though for the floors I can reach to put some on the outside too .. that should do the trick. Again Thank YOU much for your support.
~Expect Miracles
Shane Belceto 19 months ago
How about plastic over some windows durring the colder months? I know looks tacky .. but is it worth it?
~Expect Miracles