We Fix Drafty Windows in 3 Steps
Feb 23, 2021Here’s the Secret to More Comfort and Lower Energy Bills
Air infiltration has a huge impact on your home comfort and your energy bills. Replacing your windows can help – as long as you don’t skip this important step.
The Air-tight window installation process
A brutally cold winter has reminded many of us that it might be time for a whole-house window replacement. Every year, as temperatures drop and our heating systems fight to keep us warm, we realize how air infiltration affects energy efficiency and home comfort. At Improveit, we know the best way to solve air infiltration is to plan for it. That’s why we developed our Air-Tight Window Installation process.
What is Air Infiltration?
Air infiltration is the unintentional or accidental passage of outside air into a building typically through cracks, doors or windows.
Our Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana climate features cold winters and hot, humid summers. As the seasons change, building components (wood framing, masonry, windows, doors, etc.) expand and contract. Over time, this expansion and contraction causes connections between building components to weaken. You might notice floor squeaks or nail pops in your drywall as evidence, plus drafty windows that can really impact your home comfort.
Hot In the Summer
In the summer, you might not feel a draft – but keep an eye on your thermostat for telltale signs of air infiltration. If your air conditioner is fighting to keep your home cool, or you notice the humidity in your home is rising (maybe you’ve noticed some window condensation), chances are air infiltration is to blame.
Cold In the Winter
Drafty windows are especially noticeable in the winter. Expansion and contraction causes small gaps to develop between the window and the wall framing. Oftentimes, these gaps are hidden behind window trim, or beneath the sill, which means they can easily go unnoticed for years. What can’t hide is the cold draft these gaps cause around the edges of the window.
“Excellent service. The work they have completed for me has been great. I have had 10 windows replaced and no issue with any, and my heating and cooling cost have been reduced by a third.”
-Bryan S, Batavia, Ohio
How Do You Prevent Air Infiltration?
Once you notice drafty windows or decreased home comfort, the damage is done. Not only are you uncomfortable, but you’re probably cranking up the furnace in the winter and the A/C in the summer, which means your wallet is also paying the price.
Believe it or not, up to 30% of household energy costs come from inefficient windows!*
To keep air infiltration from getting worse, consider:
- Caulking around your windows and exterior doors
- Adding weather stripping around drafty doors and windows, and
- Filling gaps around masonry with spray-foam insulation.
But remember: these quick fixes are band-aids over a larger problem – they’re not permanent solutions. Chances are, thanks to expansion and contraction, you’ll have to re-caulk, re-strip, or re-insulate again next year.
Windows that Prevent Air Infiltration
At Improveit, we see air infiltration problems in our customers’ homes every day. What most of our customers don’t realize is that a gap as small as 1/16 inch around one window is equal to a hole the size of a brick in the side of your house! You’d never leave a window open in your house all day, every day, all year long – but that’s essentially what you’re doing if you’re not solving air infiltration problems from drafty windows.
Imagine the money you’re wasting on those inefficient windows!
To solve air infiltration problems for our window customers, we developed the Improveit Air-Tight Installation Process. This isn’t an upgrade or a service our customers pay extra for. It’s so important, and we’re so passionate about its benefits, that we use the Air-Tight Installation Process on every single window we install. Here’s how:
- Once the window is level and plumb in the opening, our installers securely screw the window in place.
- Next, any gaps between the window and the rough opening are filled with spray-foam insulation that expands to fill even the smallest gaps and cracks.
- We securely install the window trim, and air-seal the exterior trim with caulking that’s color-matched to your window.
“We chose ImproveIt and the experience was five star. The installers were courteous and cleaned up each day they were always busy. Our energy bills have dropped significantly since installation. Our house is finally comfortable!”
– Kimberly W, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
These steps help ensure that the window is securely installed, and that air infiltration is all but eliminated around the window, maximizing your energy efficiency. Additionally, the spray foam insulation will expand and contract with your home so, season after season, you’ll know that Improveit’s Air-Tight Installation is working for you.
Most replacement window installers skip these important insulation steps. This means that while their energy-efficient windows will perform well for a while, expansion and contraction will eventually catch up and cause new air infiltration problems down the road.
the improveit difference
At Improveit, we only want you to have to invest in replacement windows one time, and Air-Tight Installation is an important part of the way we do that. As an Improveit window customer, you can feel confident that you’re getting the most energy-efficient windows and window installation at the best possible value – and we stand by both our products and our installation with a complete lifetime warranty.
If you’ve had enough of your drafty windows and are ready for an upgrade to your home’s energy efficiency, reach out to Improveit today! You can schedule an appointment online, or give us a call at 855–637-2999.
