How to Seal Up Drafty Windows (and Lower Your Heating Bill)
It's an important part of winterizing your home.
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When the thermometer starts to drop, drafty windows can make it hard to keep your home warm—and can send your energy bills soaring. Sealing drafty windows is an important part of winterizing your home, and it doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive project. With the right techniques, you can improve your home's energy efficiency and stay cozy all season.
Ahead, you’ll find expert-recommended materials and practical, cost-effective solutions to fixing drafty windows and reducing heat loss. These tips will help create an energy-efficient, cozy living space this season.
Meet the Expert
Mina Starsiak Hawk, home renovation expert and star of HGTV's Good Bones
Nicole Willits, product strategy and sustainability at the renowned window manufacturer, Pella Corporation
Related: 14 Outdoor Plants That'll Survive All Winter Long
What You’ll Need (Depending on the Method):
All-purpose cleaner
Adhesive remover
Clean white cloths
Adhesive-backed foam tape weather stripping
Weighted fabric draft stopper
Insulated drapes
Window insulation film kit
Hair dryer
How to Fix Drafty Windows With Weatherstripping
“Time ages all things, including product seals, caulk, and weatherstripping. Weatherstripping may become cracked or brittle, and caulk may degrade around the frame, allowing air leakage,” Nicole Willits, product strategy and sustainability at Pella Corporation, explains. If your windows are not cracked and all frames are intact, aged weatherstripping may likely be the culprit behind drafty windows.
“This is an easy, low-cost solution to close gaps where cold air leaks in,” shares Mina Starsiak Hawk, home renovation expert and star of HGTV's Good Bones.
Open the window and remove any old or damaged weather stripping.
Thoroughly clean all areas where new stripping will be placed, being careful to remove the remaining adhesive with a glue remover. Be sure to clean both the upper and lower sashes (the interior frames that hold the glass).
Measure the bottom of the lower window sash and the top of the upper window sash.
Cut a piece of adhesive-backed foam tape weather stripping to the correct length.
Peel off the backing and press onto the bottom of the lower sash and the top of the upper sash.
Close and lock the window. (Locking ensures a tighter seal.)
Clean and caulk around the exterior of the window, checking for small gaps where the frame meets the wall.
Related: The Right Way to Clean Windows for a Streak-Free Finish
How to Seal Drafty Windows With Draft Guards and Insulated Drapes
Whether you are a DIY expert or a “buy-it-premade” kind of homeowner, you'll be able to master this method. Weighted fabric draft protectors and heavy drapes can help keep the cold air out and help seal drafty windows. “These are quick fixes that can make a big difference in reducing drafts and improving indoor comfort during winter,” says Starsiak.
Close and lock the windows.
Place the weighted fabric draft stoppers directly against the bottom of the window sash.
Install heavy insulated drapes over the windows to add an extra layer of insulation.
How to Seal Drafty Windows With Window Insulation Film
As another cost-effective solution, Starsiak and Willits suggest window insulation film to block drafts and keep your home comfortable.
Close and lock the window. Clean every surface thoroughly.
Apply tape to the perimeter of the window on all four sides.
Measure your window and apply the film to the tape, being careful to keep it flat and steady.
When the film is in place, use your hair dryer to heat the film. Move slowly across the entire surface, careful to reduce wrinkling by avoiding concentrated heat in one area for more than a few seconds.
Installation directions may vary slightly by brand, so always consult the manufacturer’s instructions.
Related: The Most Popular Types of Window Treatments—and How to Tell the Difference Between Each
Long-Term Solutions for Drafty Windows
To help improve insulation, Starsiak suggests installing temporary acrylic or polycarbonate window inserts that fit inside the window frame. Another more semi-permanent option to consider is storm window installation.
"Storm windows allow the original windows to remain while adding an extra layer of protection by creating a barrier between the indoor air and outdoor weather," says Willits. "These can be installed on the interior or exterior of existing windows and are considered a semi-permanent solution for inefficient windows."
When to Replace Drafty Windows
In some instances, it may be best to consider replacing drafty windows. “The decision to replace versus repair and seal a window depends on various factors, often starting with the window's age and condition and ending with considerations of the cost to maintain, repair or replace it,” Willits explains.
Windows older than 20 years often lose efficiency due to material degradation. Cracks, warping, rotting frames, fogging, or difficulty operating may indicate the need for replacement over repairs.
