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.
Windows of this type originally had wood strips that separated the panes of glass with putty that created a seal for the window. They were comprised of a wood frame and at least two sheets of glass called window lites. The putty was used to prevent the windows from leaking. Many times this putty becomes old and begins to break away leaving gaps in the seal.
It is not necessary to replace windows in a home with sash windows but some work is required. Remove the old putty around the glass panes. New putty can now be added to seal the pane of glass around the glass making it much more efficient.
Sometimes it may not be the panes of glass that are causing the problem but the framing itself. When wood gets cold it sometimes swells. Once the temperatures rise it retracts sometimes leaving gaps between the frame and the track.
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.
If the trim around the window is where heat is escaping, remove it and replace it with new. Before putting the new in place, caulk the back of each trim piece so it creates a seal behind it. Tack it into place and allow it to dry completely before painting.
In the event windows are still not energy efficient, a plastic shrink cover can be purchased to place over the windows. These come complete with the plastic, strips of thin cardboard and tacks to attach it to the trim. Once the plastic is securely in place, use a hair dryer to add heat and allow the plastic to shrink to the size needed for each window. There are several tips to do it your self sash window draught proofing that are very effective in reducing heating costs.
Does your windows have the high quality insulation? Well, if there not, you can get with the sash window company. You will learn that the sash window draught proofing can really help keep the windows insulated and ready for any cold air.
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