Sonicrafter F80 Oscillating Tool

Fast Fixes for Drafty Windows

ByJoseph Truini

Don't let cold, windblown air bulldoze up your heating bills this winter. At present's the time to have action and seal upward drafty windows using a two-prong approach: Kickoff, caulk around the exterior of the window, and so weather condition-strip the inside.

Brainstorm by removing any sometime caulk or peeling paint from around the outside of the window. You lot could use a potent-blade putty knife or wire brush, but an oscillating multi-tool is much faster and easier. Use both the scraping blade and sanding pad. Afterward scraping and sanding the surfaces smooth, make clean away all dirt and dust with a dry scrub castor.

Oscillating Tool Sonicrafter F80
Use an oscillating multi-tool fitted with a sanding pad
to quickly remove dirt, grime and peeling paint.

Next, apply a fresh bed of caulk around the outside perimeter of the window, creating a continuous airtight seal between the window frame and siding or trim boards. And be sure to use an outside-grade caulk, such as 100-percent silicone sealant, or "siliconized" acrylic caulk. Both types adhere well and will remain flexible for years.

Apply Caulking Sealant
Fill all gaps and cracks effectually the exterior of
windows with high-quality sealant.

After caulking the outside of the window, motility inside and utilize weather condition-stripping to seal around the sash, which are the moveable parts of the window that open and close. There are many different kinds of atmospheric condition-stripping available; here's a detailed look at the elevation five types:

Agglutinative-backed Foam

Adhesive-backed foamis a compression-blazon of weather-stripping, meaning that when the window closes against it, the foam compresses to seal gaps and block out drafts. It features piece of cake skin-and-stick application, and cuts hands with scissors. Just be certain to thoroughly clean the expanse around the inside of the window; the adhesive won't stick to dusty, muddy surfaces.

On double-hung windows, utilise adhesive-backed foam weather condition-stripping to bottom border of the lower sash, and to the top border of the upper sash. If you don't desire to apply the weather-stripping directly to the sash, stick information technology to the sill below the lower sash, and to the head jamb higher up the upper sash. Either way, once the sash are locked closed, the cream will seal out drafts.

On sliding or casement windows, utilise the agglutinative-backed foam to the vertical edge of the sash or vertically along the side jamb.

TIP: Virtually double-hung windows take a unmarried sash lock. All the same, calculation a second lock will brand the window much more free energy efficient. Start by unscrewing the existing sash lock and reinstalling information technology one-3rd of the way from the side jamb. For example, if the window is 24 inches wide, motility the sash lock in about 8 inches. Next, install a second sash lock viii inches from the opposite side jamb. Now, when you engage both locks, the sash volition grade an airtight seal.

Tubular Rubber Gasket

Tubular condom gasket atmospheric condition-stripping is like to adhesive-backed foam, except that it's formed into a hollow rubber tube instead of dumbo foam. When compressed past the sash, the tubular conditions-stripping conforms to the space, effectively sealing out the wind. Some tubular gaskets have peel-and-stick agglutinative backing, while others have an attached metal or wood flange that must exist secured with nails or screws. If nailing, don't forget to diameter pilot hole first or y'all'll risk splitting the wood flange. Also, look for foam-filled tubular gaskets that take a spongy-foam core, which holds its shape better than hollow-cadre gaskets.

Spring Five-Seal

Spring V-Seal is a resilient polypropylene plastic or metal strip that's folded into a V-shape. It'due south known as tension-seal conditions-stripping because the 5-shape springs open, creating tension—and blocking drafts—betwixt the sash and window frame. Plastic V-seal can exist cut with scissors, but yous'll need aviation snips to cutting metal Five-seal, which comes in copper, aluminum, statuary and stainless steel. Also, the plastic blazon often has a peel-and-stick backing, while metal 5-seal must be nailed in place.

V-seal tin can be installed vertically along the sides of double-hung windows, and at the horizontal coming together track where the ii sashes meet when closed. On casement or sliding windows, V-seal is installed along the vertical side jamb where the sash closes.

Felt

Felt is one of the oldest types of weather condition-stripping. It's ordinarily sold in rolls with or without an adhesive backing. And is as well available with an attached metallic mounting flange. Felt is used as a compression weather-stripping around the within of double-hung, casement and sliding windows. Felt is affordable and like shooting fish in a barrel to install, merely it doesn't last as long every bit other types of weather-stripping.

Window Insulation Kits

Window insulation kits block drafts past sealing the unabridged window behind a large canvass of shrink-wrap plastic. The plastic is adhered to the interior window casing with double-sided tape, then shrunk drum tight with a blow dryer. Window insulation kits are very effective at sealing out drafts, merely go along in mind that y'all won't be able to open up the window until jump when you peel off the plastic wrap.

So there yous have information technology. With a little careful caulking and some perfectly placed weather-stripping, you'll employ less energy, save some money, and your home and family unit volition be much more comfortable this winter.

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