Weatherstripping isn’t a glamorous topic, but these inexpensive products can save you as much as one-third or more of your heating and cooling costs. Weatherstripping protects the inside of your home from weather extremes by plugging all the little cracks, joints and openings every home has. Your first step is to find out how badly your home leaks by having a "blower door" test conducted. These tests are often given free or at nominal cost by local utilities. The blower door test will pinpoint where the problems are.
Here's how to make windows weathertight.
1.
Double-Hung and Sliding Windows
Seal cracks around the stationary parts of windows with a flexible caulk and caulking gun. For double-hung and sliding windows (the hardest window type to seal), use V-shaped vinyl or spring-metal. Measure the height of the bottom sash; then use snips to cut pieces of weatherstripping 2 inches longer. Open the lower window and insert the top edge of the weatherstripping from the bottom upward, feeding the extra 2 inches between the sash and jamb. Then tack in place. Repeat the process in reverse for a movable top sash. (Fig. 1)
2.
Sill Rail
Use either spring-metal or a self-adhesive foam tape to weatherstrip the top and bottom of the sill rail. (Fig. 2)
3.
Metal Casement Windows
Spring-metal weatherstripping can also be used around the inside of the jambs on wood casement and awning windows. For metal casement windows, however, you’ll need a grooved gasket that fits over the jamb and runs all around the frame (Fig. 3).
