Checking and Insulating Your Doors and Windows for Winter

Supplies Needed

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety glasses, gloves, and protective clothing to ensure your safety during maintenance tasks. To protect your eyes and hands while working with caulk and other materials.
• Candle or incense stick and lighter: to detect drafts
• Weatherstripping: Self-adhesive foam or rubber strips to seal gaps around doors and windows.
• Caulk: Silicone or latex caulk to fill in gaps and cracks in window frames and door frames.
• Caulking gun: To apply caulk neatly and efficiently.
• Draft stoppers: Fabric or foam draft stoppers to place along the bottom of doors to block drafts.
• Door sweeps: Metal or rubber door sweeps to install on the bottom of exterior doors to create a barrier against cold air.
• Window film: Insulating window film to apply to the interior surface of windows to reduce heat loss.
• Thermal curtains or drapes: Curtains with a thermal lining to hang over windows for added insulation.
• Draft detector: A lit candle or incense stick to detect drafts around doors and windows.
• Screwdriver: To tighten loose hinges or hardware on doors.
• Utility knife: For cutting weatherstripping and caulking tubes to size.
• Cleaning supplies: Rags or paper towels and a mild detergent for cleaning surfaces before applying caulking or weatherstripping.
• Ladder: If needed to reach high windows or skylights.

Step 1: Checking for Drafts

Start by conducting a thorough inspection of all doors and windows in your home to identify any drafts. 

Close all doors and windows tightly and stand near each one, feeling for any drafts of cold air. Use a lit candle or incense stick to detect drafts by holding it near the edges of doors and windows. If the flame flickers or the smoke wavers, there may be a draft.

Inspect door and window frames for visible gaps, cracks, or gaps where the sealant has deteriorated.

Check for worn weatherstripping or caulking around doors and windows, which can degrade over time and allow drafts to enter.

Step 2: Sealing Drafty Doors

Once you've identified drafty doors, take steps to seal them effectively:

1. Install or replace weatherstripping: Apply self-adhesive weatherstripping along the edges of the door frame to create a tight seal when the door is closed.
2. Use draft stoppers or door sweeps: Place draft stoppers along the bottom of exterior doors to block drafts from entering. Install door sweeps on the bottom of doors to create a barrier against cold air.
3. Inspect and adjust door hinges: Tighten loose hinges or adjust them to ensure that doors close snugly without gaps.

Step 3: Weatherproofing Windows

To address drafty windows and keep warm air inside, consider the following options:

1. Apply caulk or sealant: Use a caulking gun to apply silicone or latex caulk around window frames to seal gaps and cracks.
2. Install weatherstripping: Apply adhesive-backed weatherstripping to the edges of window frames to create a tight seal when windows are closed.
3. Consider window film: Apply insulating window film to the interior surface of windows to reduce heat loss and drafts while still allowing natural light to enter.

Step 4: Consider Insulating with Curtains or Drapes

Consider using thermal curtains or drapes to further insulate windows and keep cold drafts at bay. These curtains feature a thermal lining that helps retain heat and block drafts, making them an effective way to improve energy efficiency in your home.

Step 5: Addressing Skylights and Sliding Doors

Don't forget to check and insulate skylights and sliding glass doors, which can also be sources of drafts. Apply weatherstripping or caulking around the frames and consider using insulating curtains or shades to minimize heat loss.

Conclusion

By following these steps to check for drafts and effectively insulate your doors and windows, you can create a cozy, draft-free haven that will keep you warm and comfortable all winter long while reducing energy costs.