If you’re like most, you’ll have some form of heating running during winter or at the very least, you’ll want to keep what warmth you have indoors inside the home as much as you can. We have a few simple steps that you should be following in the lead up to the cooler months to ensure you and your family aren’t shivering through the winter.
There is no better time than now to prepare your windows
A lot of people don’t even realise that their windows aren’t up to par until winter hits. Don’t wait for the temperature to drop to sort your windows out. When your windows are in good condition, they offer many benefits, regardless of what time of the year it is.
How do I prepare my windows for winter?
You can start by conducting a visual inspection of your windows, including the framing and fixtures. You can either do this yourself or hire a professional to take a look at them for you. This is recommended especially when you are looking for potential flaws, they may go unnoticed by the untrained eye.
What benefits can quality windows and proper fittings offer?
- Optimal thermal protection
Probably one of the major benefits of preparing your windows for the cooler climate is that it provides your home with greater thermal protection. This stops heat from transferring through the glass and to the outside. It enables you to heat your home faster, and it stays warmer for longer. This can effectively cut down on the amount of electricity you use over wintertime and, in turn, save you money.
- Keeps your home safe and secure
Unfortunately, burglars don’t hibernate in the cooler months and having unsecured or outdated glass and fittings can put your home and, more importantly, your family at risk. Too many times intruders have gained access to homes through inferior window fittings or low-grade glass. The more difficult your home is to gain access into, the less likely burglars are going to attempt to break-in.
- Reduce the occurrence of problems such as condensation
Condensation occurs when warm air that is moist comes into contact with something cool such as a cold pane of glass. It creates water droplets on the pane, and over time this moisture can cause damage to the timber frames and areas surrounding it.
How to prepare your windows
Once you’ve had your windows visually inspected, you can either hire a professional to rectify all issues or, you can try to do it yourself. Here are some common issues, and how to fix them:
Drafts getting in through the windows
Drafts are not only going to make the home colder, but they can be a sign of an issue with either the pane itself or there may be gaps around the windows that are allowing cool air to get inside. You can determine where the air is getting in by placing your hand close to the glass. If you can feel the air through the pane, your glass will most certainly need replacing. If no air is passing through, it’s more likely that the draft is getting in through gaps around the windows. The good news is this is a straightforward and inexpensive fix. You can use an appropriate caulk in most instances, or if the gaps are larger, you may have to use insulation tape or foam to resolve the problem.
Damaged weatherstripping
Weatherstripping plays a key role in preventing heat from escaping from around the window. Over time it can get damaged or wear away. Since you want to keep your home warmer and avoid unnecessary heat loss, it’s best to check the condition of these and replace them where necessary.
Replace old or broken frames
After a while, old window frames can deteriorate, and this can affect how well they hold the glass into position. If any of your window frames have seen better days, it’s best to have them replaced as having broken glass at any time is not ideal, especially when the weather is cold.
Give them a good clean
Windows accumulate a breadth of gunk, dirt, and other contaminants. Built-up dirt can affect how well the windows mechanisms work and can wear them down. Give your windows a good clean to ensure they stay in optimal working order.
Invest in good quality windows
It goes without saying, if you want the best protection from the elements, superior security, and thermal protection, you can’t beat investing in energy-efficient windows or storm windows. They are stronger than other types of windows and provide more resistance in strong winds or storms. Both window types can help to cut down on your energy bills too.
Add a film to the windows
If you can’t afford to update all the windows in your home, a cheaper alternative is applying window films to the existing glass. They don’t affect the appearance of the glass, and they can provide additional comfort in both winter and summer. The best part? They are a fraction of the cost of purchasing new glass.
As you can see, there are many advantages to preparing your windows for winter. If you are looking at replacing old windows at your home with quality glass or, you need some window repair work done, our team of highly skilled glaziers here at True Blue Glass can help. Contact us today!
