Window maintenance is an important part of home ownership. Proper care is essential to ensure windows function at their highest ability and give you the most value as a homeowner. Keeping them in great condition will enhance the look of your home, reduce replacement expenses, and provide energy-saving benefits which can save you a significant amount of money when it comes to heating or cooling your home.
Windows typically battle dirt, ultraviolet light, weather conditions, rain, ever-changing temperatures, high winds, and more. In the long run, this takes a toll, but you can minimize the damages with routine care and maintenance. With colder weather coming our way we decided to put together a list to help you prepare for fall and winter so you get the most from your windows.
Remove debris and dirt from your windows
You should thoroughly clean your windows inside and out. Also, clean all of the moving parts and sills. Over time leaves, dirt, and dust may get caught in your windows. Use a dry paint brush to clean these areas and vacuum up the residue, making sure your windows shut properly enabling a tighter seal. Having any kind of dirt or debris in and around your windows can compromise the seal when you incorporate some of the other tips in this article like sealing or covering your windows.
Repair, reseal, and re-caulk windows and sills
It goes without saying that poorly sealed windows aren’t going to do their job properly when it comes to weatherproofing your home and maximizing efficiency. Luckily, this problem is usually something you can fix yourself. Replace worn or missing weather stripping around your windows to decrease leaks and drafts. Loose and missing weather stripping can lead to serious heat loss.
Reapply sealant or caulk around windows to minimize possible leaks or drafts. You can use exterior grade caulking outside to make sure that it will hold up against harsh conditions.
Damaged exterior surfaces such as wood window sills should be repaired. This kind of damage might signify water penetration that can permit moisture to leak into your house. You can save the wood from more damage by applying a fresh coat of paint.
Save energy by covering your windows
Who doesn’t like saving money on their energy bill right? You should think of using a window insulator kit, especially if you have older single pane windows. A window insulator kit can prevent condensation and frost from entering your house, are easy to install and can be found at any hardware store. These kits consist of plastic shrink film, which is used on the interior window frame with double-sided tape then heated using a hair dryer to shrink the plastic. This removes any wrinkles and forms a transparent barrier. Adding energy saving curtains and cellular colors may also prevent drafts from getting into your house. It’s a relatively simple do-it-yourself task that you can complete in an afternoon before kicking back and enjoying the energy savings all winter long.
Damage
We advise that owners repair splinters, breaks, cracks, and holes when they first occur in window frames. Delay in repairs can lead to more wear and tear and damage. If the problem is not addressed in time, the more the window will wear out.
You should also keep in mind that different kinds of windows need different kinds of care. Wood windows are very different from aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl windows. Make sure you’re following instructions or tips for the type of windows you actually have installed in your house.
Window replacement, if necessary
Think of replacing older windows with more energy saving, double or triple-paned windows. Although this can be costly, you can minimize your house heating expenses over time, and new windows can increase your property’s value. If your windows are significantly aged or damaged it might be time to talk to a windows and doors contractor in your city. Our tips will go a long way to improving your windows for winter use but they won’t match the style and efficiency you’ll find from newer windows.
With these few easy steps you can prepare your windows for fall and winter seasons, have a more energy saving and comfortable home while saving money as well.
