Sometimes heating costs can get out of hand in older homes. These are the homes that still have sash windows in which the seals have become hard and no longer effective. One can sit next to one of these windows and literally feel a breeze. By using do it your self sash window draught proofing it is easy to see results in the first month of utility bill.
In case sash windows are unfamiliar to some, they are wooden framed single or multi-paned windows. Each pane of glass is separated by strips of wood with putty around each pane. The putty tends to become hard and brittle causing it to allow breezes to emanate from the windows. This becomes very costly when the heating bill arrives.
In order to reseal the putty that has become old and broken in older windows, you will need to remove the old putty first. This is done by using a putty knife and gently scraping the old off. Adding the new putty will create a seal between the glass and wood preventing drafts.
Wood tends to swell and retract when temperatures change. This sometimes allows it to warp or bend in some spots leaving gaps between frame and track. If this happens, it usually takes a little more work than putty will fix but can still be corrected.
Removing the trim from the wall on the inside will expose the bare window and the track it rides on. Brush seals can be purchased from a local hardware store or building and home supply retailer. These may then be used to attach to both the top and bottom of the window to create a barrier between the trim and wood frame.
While the trim is off, it is easy to create a new seal between it and the wall to help prevent it from leaking as well. There are multiple types of caulking that is available for home maintenance. A weatherizing or seal caulking should be placed on the back of each piece of trim before it is nailed back in place. If the trim has severe damage, replacing it is recommended.
There are a number of different fixes for leaking windows. Most are do it your self sash window draught proofing efforts that can save money and prevent a home from being breezy. There are even kits that can cover the entire window and frame. They come with plastic that is intended to be shrunk with a hair dryer to the proper fit. Kits such as this are inexpensive and easy to install.
Does your windows have the high quality insulation? Well, if there not, you can get with the sash window company. You will find that the sash window draught proofing can really help keep the windows insulated and ready for any cold air.