How To Winterize Windows In Austin
If your home feels like a freezer throughout the winter, your windows may be to blame. Glass panes and the cracks around window frames can release the heat in your home’s interior and invite in cold air from outside. Then you’re sure to see your energy costs rise. That’s why it’s so critical winterize windows in Austin. And while you’ll find lots of products and tips for temporary insulation, relying on more permanent fixes such as insulating window treatments or energy-efficient windows will give you the results you want.
Use Weatherstripping To Seal Drafty Windows
Often, basic maintenance can help you winterize your windows in Austin. Before cold weather comes, clean your windows inside and out and inspect them for warped, loose, or cracked parts that may cause drafts. Especially check for deteriorating caulk and seals. You can quickly repair these with new caulk to insulate windows before winter begins.
Windows can also develop a lot of gaps where they sit in their frames, especially as your house settles and things get misaligned. Then all winter, warm interior air leaks through these gaps, and chilly air slips in. You can use weatherstripping to cover up the gaps and trap warm air. You can find foam strips, rubber tubing, or gaskets for this purpose at any home improvement store. Some options may not look pretty, but they provide a tried and true way to winterize windows in Austin.
Invest In Energy-efficient Window Treatments For Winter In Austin
A more stylish option to prevent drafts is energy-efficient window treatments. The best window treatments keep Austin homes cozier despite winter weather. Polywood® interior shutters are the most energy-efficient window treatments out there, and they look gorgeous too! Polywood shutters are extruded from a durable faux wood material with an automotive-type white paint finish that matches any type of interior design. Most importantly, they come with a built-in insulation system.
The patented weatherstripping on Polywood shutters blocks most drafts when you shut the shutters. In fact, your closed Polywood shutters can prevent up to 30 degrees of temperature transfer from outside. That kind of energy efficiency means noticeable energy cost savings in time. And since they’re impervious to extreme temperatures and water, it’s safe to put Polywood shutters in all kinds of windows to block the cold, like frigid attic windows or humid bathroom windows, to maximize your savings.
Replace Aged Windows With More Energy-efficient Ones
If drafty windows bother you every winter, you probably need new windows. Replacing old windows with newer energy-efficient ones can make your house warmer and reduce your energy bill from now on. To block out cold drafts, look for double- or triple-pane windows with insulating gas between the layers. And you’ll rest assured knowing that your new windows are energy-efficient if they feature the blue ENERGY STAR sticker.
Of course, even on new windows, Polywood insulating interior shutters will still make a difference. Polywood shutters add excellent insulation to windows and will stop heat loss that naturally occurs through glass. And you can still use them for beauty, light control, and privacy for years to come.
We Will Help You Choose Window Treatments For Winter In Austin
Bring more elegance and cold protection to your home with Polywood shutters from Sunburst Shutters Austin. Schedule a free in-home consultation, and we’ll help you decide on the best shutters for your windows. Call 512-549-6077 or complete our form to make an appointment today.
