How to Weather-proof Old Windows
Old, drafty windows can drastically increase the cost of your utilities by allowing external air to enter your home easier than newer, double pane windows. While replacing your windows will help remedy this, it can be expensive to do. You can save the expense of window replacement by increasing the energy efficiency of your windows through one of several weather-proofing techniques. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Double-sided tape
- Plastic wrap
- Scissors
- Hair dryer
- Window cleaner
- Spray bottle
- Bubble wrap
- All-purpose cleaner
- Sponge
- Weather-stripping
- Tin snips
- Nails
- Hammer
- Putty knife
Instructions
-
Plastic Wrap Method
-
1
Apply double-sided tape on the molding that surrounds your windows.
-
2
Cover your windows with sheets of plastic wrap, securing them to the molding with the double-sided tape.
-
-
3
Shrink the plastic wrap by heating it with a hair dryer on its lowest setting.
-
4
Repair any holes that form in the plastic wrap with clear tape.
Weather-stripping
-
5
Clean the molding of your windows with a sponge and all-purpose cleaner. Wait for the molding to dry completely before continuing.
-
6
Cut pieces of weather-stripping with tin snips that are the same size as the window sashes and place them into the sash channels.
-
7
Use nails to secure the weather-stripping to the molding around each sash channel.
-
8
Cut pieces of weather-stripping that will fit the top and lower sashes of your window with the tin snips.
-
9
Secure the weather-stripping on the top and lower sashes of your window with nails.
Bubble Wrap
-
10
Clean the surface of your windows with glass cleaner and wait for them to dry before continuing.
-
11
Cut pieces of bubble wrap to fit over the glass panes of your windows with scissors.
-
12
Apply a thin layer of water on your windows with a spray bottle.
-
13
Place the bubble wrap pieces onto your windows. The water will act like an adhesive and secure the bubble wrap in place.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
