TAKING CARE OF WINDOWS AND CRACKS CAN HELP WARM A WINTER HOME

TAKING CARE OF WINDOWS AND CRACKS CAN HELP WARM A WINTER HOME

When you think of cold air invading your premises, you wonder where it comes from in the first place. Sometimes, the air comes through places where you least expect them—such as through electrical outlets that contain gaps. And often, air comes through windows that are not properly insulated to endure a rough winter season. Aside from replacing windows during a drafty season, there are easy ways both residents and managers can make amends for less than stellar weather.

There’s the often obvious solution of putting plastic over windows—which reduces the amount of heat that escapes through the cold glass of windows. It is cheap and effective, requiring only plastic sheets and some strong tape as adhesive. Caulking comes in handy during the winter, too. Some buildings have various cracks that open up in the wintertime and get smaller during the summer. These are more prevalent in older structures and occur everywhere, from door frames to roofs to around windows. Instead of letting warm air escape into the abyss, caulking can help seal in the air.

The same methodology works just for windows. Rubber sealant, which can be purchased at any hardware store, can be cut to fit your windows’ dimensions and keep out drafts. It’s cheap, effective and not an eye sore—except maybe until the sealant is ripped off in the spring. Shades and curtains provide different patterns for aesthetic purposes, and they also allow residents to choose how much light they want to shine in the first place. It’s natural heat when the windows are open, and shades can be adjusted to allow only a certain amount of light to come inside.