One of the most expensive and high-performing elements in weatherproof buildings is windows.
Window sealing keeps cold air from entering your home. Moreover, regular resealing can help prolong their lifespan and maintain a comfortable temperature inside. Resealing windows should become a mandatory part of maintenance for every homeowner.
Here are our recommendations.
The necessities of window sealing
Based on your home’s condition and age, you will lose heat up to 30% via your windows. Some heat will escape through the glass as radiation or convection. Shades and tight-fitting window coverings help reduce heat loss, but much heat is still lost through gaps in the weatherstripping or cracks around the windows.
Window sealing is the best and most cost-effective way to fight heat loss and save energy, meanings sealing the cracks and repairing window seals or adding to the weatherstripping. Usually, we use a tube of caulk to seal gaps around a window. Below, we will provide helpful tips to tell you how to seal your windows.
Seal windows from the inside with caulk
On cold and windy days, examine your window to determine where the air is leaking. We recommend checking carefully along the outside edge of your window molding. For this purpose, we advise you to use a stick of burning incense and watch the smoke as it moves around your window. One of the best ways is to seal all leaks around your window using the right caulk (like acrylic latex) that matches the color of the trim.
Declare boldly that spending an extra buck for good quality caulk is worthwhile. If your trim is unpainted wood, look for caulk that dries clear or perfectly matches the wall color.
Last but not least, when you prepare the caulk tube by cutting off the tip, watch out to remove only enough to produce a tiny opening—roughly the size of a single strand of spaghetti. By doing this, you’ll be able to make a small, tidy bead without having to clean up a lot of excess caulks.
Repair weatherstripping
After checking the window molding for leaks, move to the window itself. Any movable window part that contacts the window frame is at high risk for air leakage. Usually, new windows use weatherstripping to seal these areas. However, gaps may become visible over time due to shifting window frames and worn-out weatherstripping. Here are a few things you should do.
If you know your window brand, you can call the manufacturer for replacement parts. In some cases, the problems will be solved by sliding out the damaged weatherstripping and replacing it with the new one that perfectly fits the groove.
But if you find large open gaps or prevent finding the proper replacement weatherstripping, you will probably need to look for an odd-one seal type. You can find the right one at hardware stores or home centers.
How to seal the window from the outside with caulk?
You can use caulk for window sealing and filling any gaps around the exterior perimeter of your windows to prevent air leakage and keep water out of your walls. Keep in mind that this technique does not work well for vinyl siding because the vinyl expands too much and is usually contained in a channel that makes it almost impossible to caulk. But for most other types of siding, you can easily use caulk to seal the space between the exterior trim and siding.
If you have experience working with a caulk gun and do not mind using a volatile solvent like mineral spirits to clean up, urethane-based caulks can be a good option. It is a long-lasting solution, though you can use any good-quality caulk that works well for you.
How can you seal your windows?
Window sealing is perfect for preventing air leakage and keeping your home’s temperature comfortable and energy efficient. Depending on your window brand, window location, and the size of the gaps that are causing the problem, you can use different forms of weatherstripping.
After finding the proper weatherstripping, seal your window by doing the following:
- Clean and dry the problematic area.
- Measure the length of the trim and the air gap precisely.
- Apply the weatherstripping adhesive side down to the problematic area you want to seal.
- Then secure it with staples or nails four inches apart.
Broken window seal
You may wonder why a window seal will break. One of the main reasons relates to the process called pumping. At noon, when the sun shines down on your windows, the glass expands and eventually puts pressure on the seal. At night, the glass cools and shrinks. This process occurs time after time, and consequently, the seal may fail.
Windows on the west and south sides are more prone to damage than others because they receive more sunlight.
Except for the sunshine, there are other reasons for damaging the elastic sealant, including:
- Harsh chemicals used in painting.
- Poor or improper window installation.
- Damage to the sealant from a heat gun used during the painting process.
- High winds and weather can put pressure on the glass.
- House settings can create pressure on the glass.
How to detect a failed window sealing?
A fogged window is a sure sign of window seal failure. When a window seal fails, moist air seeps in between the glass panes and condenses on your window, causing window fog. And even though the fog may ultimately disappear with weather changes, the issue will keep recurring because the seal has already failed.
Inert gasses like argon or krypton in windows serve to enhance window insulation. Gasses will escape if the seal fails, so the function of your window will not be the same as before. Additionally, windows with inert gasses can warp, collapse inward, or crack in the absence of the gasses since the gasses hold their stability.
Window seal replacement
Replacing the window seal is not a challenging task. The best way to fix your foggy or warped windows is to ask an expert to replace the insulated glass unit.
If your window is warping or hard to open, it might be a good idea to replace the entire window instead of replacing the insulated glass window to fix failed window sealing.
How to seal a window for winter: beat the cold and save money?
First, you need to determine the exact location of the leaks. Second, you should lock your window and ensure a tight seal around the frame.
Caulking the window is the best way to do window sealing. For this purpose:
- Scrape off the old caulk.
- Use the caulk gun to apply the caulk around the exterior perimeter of the window.
- Caulk the interior side of your window (between the siding and window frame).
- Let the caulk dry overnight.
Adding temporary caulk
The other method for window sealing is to use temporary caulk. It is different from the regular one; you can remove it when the cold days are over. Their installation is like normal caulking and very easy. Temporary caulk is cost-effective and gives your property a beautiful, refreshing look.
Also, this option has a downside: it might take time to clean up the windows and caulk them.
Some of the best products for window sealing
- Anti-collision Silicone Seal Strip (brand D DATADAGO) for door and window gaps
- FAVORCOOl Foam Insulation (brand FavorCOOL), Adhesive window sealing tape for sealing windows and door
- Soundproof Door Weatherstripping (brand CloudBuyer), self-adhesive foam door seal strip
- Foam Weatherstripping (brand MAGZO), an adhesive door and window sealing kit,
- Fowong White Door Weatherstripping (brand Fowong), high-density foam tape rolls for door weatherstripping
- Fowong Adhesive Pile Weather Stripping (brand Fowong)
- Home Intuition 2-Pack Self-Sticking Foam Insulation Tape Adhesive (brand HOME INTUITION), Waterproof, Weatherstrip, Air Conditioning Seal, Soundproof.
- Duck Brand Heavy-Duty Self-Adhesive Weatherstrip Seal for Medium Gaps
Different types of weatherstripping
Foam weather stripping
It is a versatile and easy-to-apply material that is available in various widths, thicknesses, and sizes.
Foam weatherstripping works well for the top or bottom of sashes and window frames, but it is not as durable as other types, and you might replace it so often. Reinforced foam is more durable than other foams and comes on metal and wood strips.
V-strip weatherstripping
V-strip (vinyl strip) or tension seal is the other material for window sealing and can perfectly seal the gaps between the window glass and the frame. The tension created between two surfaces holds the v-strip in place.
Caulk
One of the most effective weatherstripping materials is caulk, which works well for weird angles or rough surfaces that need weather sealing. Please note that this option is not as durable as other weatherstripping materials and removing it for some people is challenging.
Door sweeps
Door sweeps or door shoes are nailed to the bottom of the door edge and create a barrier between the door and the threshold or sill.
Tubular rubber & vinyl weatherstripping
This type of window sealing has a flange that is either stapled or tacked into place. It can have a friction fit in modern door frames, which makes it a perfect option to seal around the perimeter of door frames.
Metal strips
Old windows typically have a metal strip tacked to the bottom edge that can be replaced or re-sprung by gently pinning the strips back.
Metal strips are one of the most effective and durable options for window sealing if maintained. For installation, you need to ask for help from a professional. Remember, they do not work well on uneven surfaces.
Felt weatherstripping
Felt is an inexpensive material that is not recommended for use in high-abrasion areas or areas exposed to high levels of moisture.
Keep in mind that felt must be tacked or glued into place.
EPDM rubber weatherstripping
EPDM rubber is a synthetic and durable solution for window sealing and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
For installation, depending on the door or window frame placement, you need to nail, tack, or adhere to it.
FAQ
What are the advantages of using window sealing strips?
A Window sealing strip is a form of window treatment used to cover the entire window and its wood or metal frame.
Window seals have different shapes and sizes, giving them the power to fit any size and shape of the windows. Additionally, removing the old window seal and replacing it with the new one is a pretty simple task.
Privacy, protection from drafts and noise pollution, energy savings, and protection from UV rays are some of the benefits of window seals.
Which types of window seals are suitable for me?
To cover the gap between the window and the wall, the window seal is perfect. It is a strip of transparent plastic placed on the inside of the window frame.
Window seals have different types and are designed to prevent air leakage and offer protection from outside elements. Silicone, acrylic, and urethane are the most typical types.
What is the best and most well-known window seal for winter?
Winter is a snowy, icy, and frosty time, so it is crucial to have a proper seal to keep cold air out. Their types are various (in different sizes), like the window rubber seal, silicone, or plastic. Because each window has its own requirement for window sealing, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Professional window sealing company
If you are tired of seeing your heating and cooling costs skyrocket, and your attempts to seal door and window frames have proven futile, call Esna Glass. Our local professional team can resolve the issue error-free. Simply call +16472196390 to have our experts arrive at your door sooner than you expected.
