Before we know it, the winter chill will settle in the Midstate region. If you rent or own an older home, chances are your windows are not ready for the colder months ahead. Single-paned windows let heated air out and outside air in, but there are inexpensive ways to winterize them to cut your utility costs and make your home more efficient.
DIY With Your Hairdryer
One of the most popular choices for insulating old windows is to use shrink-wrap plastic. Kits are available at home improvement stores. Plastic is cut to fit your window and attached to the edges with tape.
Running a hairdryer over the plastic will pull it tight to the windows, getting rid of any wrinkles and locking out the cold air. The only downside? You’ll be stuck with cloudy windows that can’t be opened until spring.
Seal Out the Cold
A slightly less invasive option is rubber weather sealing. Also available at home improvement stores, the rubber stripping comes with an adhesive on the back, so it will stick directly to the window frame to block any small gaps.
Be careful when removing the weather sealing, as the adhesive can pull up paint. Goo Gone can remove any sticky residue it leaves behind.
Curtain Call
The most stylish option for keeping warm air in and cold air out of your home might be heavy curtains. Custom drapes can be made to match your existing décor. Or, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out the thermal curtain options at your favorite box store.
Purchase curtains made from a thick fabric or that have layers of fabric to insulate your windows. Note that heavy curtains will block out the majority of natural light in your room, so be prepared with lamps and extra candles to light up your cozy space in the winter months.
Snake Solution
Draft snakes can be placed along window sills and doors to keep cold air out. You can make your own using fabric filled with sand or kitty litter. A rolled towel placed along the edge of your window will also stop drafts from sneaking in.
Photo: starmist1
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