It might be smart to learn how to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation, since the heat that escapes through leaky windows is a waste from any viewpoint. These days all of us are being challenged to reduce our use of energy any way we can. In addition, having tight windows with no air leaks makes a building draft free and therefore more comfortable all winter long.
Many older windows are single-glazed, which is not very much insulation from heat or cold. Their frames may be loose, which lets air through, and the sash weight channels may also be a source of leakage. Often these older, wooden windows are replaced with new windows, made of vinyl or metal. The fact that new windows units may have double or triple glazing and factory-installed weather stripping generally makes them more energy efficient.
Further restoration methods can be simple or complex, although all of them are within the scope of a dedicated DIY homeowner. Sometimes all that is needed is a new latch on each window that will hold the sashes tightly together, preventing the outside air from sneaking in. Making sure that all individual panes are tight, with sound putty, will prevent leaks in that quarter.
It takes a certain amount of skill and knowledge to repair your sash windows yourself, but once the technique is acquired, the job is not difficult or prohibitively time consuming. There is a lot of advice online about ways to weatherproof sash windows, with instructional videos and detailed how to guides.
However, it may be that the whole window unit leaks air between the walls and the frames, as well as through the frames themselves. Heat may be transferring quickly through single sheets of glass. Newer techniques using vinyl frames ( vinyl is not a good heat conductor, like metal is, and the frames are often hollow, with air spaces that slow heat loss as well), layers of glass with air or argon gas in between, and springs instead of sash weight and cords minimize energy losses.
There are many different types of weatherstripping, and it will be a good idea to educate yourself on the best product for your purpose. After all, if you do the job well and use the correct form of stripping and sealing, your windows will be airtight for season after season. Although a putty or foam type strip might be affordable and easy to install, the long-lasting nature of metal stripping may be a better investment.
To really weatherproof a window, you will have to remove the trim both inside and out, and take the sashes out of their frames as well. The channels where the sash weights and cords are concealed are often sources of drafts and can be sealed with weatherstripping. Save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation and really make a difference in the comfort and value of your home.
Looking for more info on how to save money on heating bills with sash window draught proofing? Get the exclusive low down now in our complete sash window refurbishment guide.
Comments are closed.