For most Carolina residents, the winter chill sets in some time towards the end of November. If you want to make sure your North Carolina or South Carolina home is fully prepped for the season, you need to spend some time making sure your windows and doors are properly insulated. Not only can incorrectly sealed windows and doors make your home uncomfortably cold, but they can cause you to pay significantly more on your monthly energy bills. Here, you’ll find some helpful tips.
Make sure all windows and doors are tight
Test all of the windows and doors in your house to see if you can jiggle them. If so, it means they are loose in their frames and need to be tightened prior to the winter season. Generally, all you need to do is install new screws to replace missing ones and make sure all hinges are attached securely. If, however, you can’t get a particular door or window to tighten on your own, you may need to contact a professional to take a look at it.
Put plastic over your windows
This might seem like odd advice, but putting plastic on your windows doesn’t have to look tacky and can actually provide a great deal of insulation when it is cold outside. There are a couple of options you can try if you’re interested in doing this. First, you can choose to shrink wrap kits that are specifically designed for windows. The shrink wrap is usually heat activated and can be attached to your window panes using a hairdryer. This won’t be visible to passersby.
Another option is to use heavy-duty bubble wrap to cover your home’s windows for the winter season. To do this, cut the bubble wrap to the exact size of your window glass, then spray it with warm water to get it to adhere. This is a less expensive, but more time-intensive process than using shrink wrap window kits.
Purchase heavier drapes
Curtains play a big role in how much heat loss your home experiences during the winter months. If you currently have sheers or other light draperies in your home, consider buying heavier ones before cold weather arrives. Some drape manufacturers even make specially insulated curtain panels that are designed to improve energy efficiency. Conventional blackout drapes can also work well if you’re looking to reduce your utility bills.
Purchase “draft stoppers”
“Draft stoppers” or “draft dodgers” are stuffed tubes that fit under doors to block air from escaping or entering. These can be extremely useful if you want to keep your house warmer in the wintertime. Draft stoppers can be purchased online and at most home improvement stores. They are an affordable way to lower your energy bills and keep your family more comfortable.
These are just a few of the most important steps you can take to make sure your home’s windows and doors are ready for winter. If you have questions about any of these suggestions or if you are interested in purchasing replacement windows or doors for your home, give the Hatch Homes team a call to discuss how we can help.