Monday, August 30, 2010

Ideas For Do It Your Self Sash Window Draught Proofing Methods

By Craig Beck

Sometimes heating costs can get out of hand in older homes. These are the homes that still have sash windows in which the seals have become hard and no longer effective. One can sit next to one of these windows and literally feel a breeze. By using do it your self sash window draught proofing it is easy to see results in the first month of utility bill.

In case sash windows are unfamiliar to some, they are wooden framed single or multi-paned windows. Each pane of glass is separated by strips of wood with putty around each pane. The putty tends to become hard and brittle causing it to allow breezes to emanate from the windows. This becomes very costly when the heating bill arrives.

Putty can be replaced to create a new seal between the window and the wood. Use a putty knife to scrape away cracking and broken putty to reveal a clean pane of glass. Then use the same knife to apply new putty in its place. Allow it to set and then paint to match the framing around each window.

Many times the wood framing becomes old and allows wind to pass through small gaps. This results in a problem that requires a little more to repair than some are willing to invest in their windows. A weekend of work can save you money in the end.

Removing the trim from the wall on the inside will expose the bare window and the track it rides on. Brush seals can be purchased from a local hardware store or building and home supply retailer. These may then be used to attach to both the top and bottom of the window to create a barrier between the trim and wood frame.

If the trim around the window is where heat is escaping, remove it and replace it with new. Before putting the new in place, caulk the back of each trim piece so it creates a seal behind it. Tack it into place and allow it to dry completely before painting.

Sometimes all the new trim, caulking and weather stripping still cannot seal those sash windows. No worries though because another tip for do it your self sash window draught proofing a home is very simple. There are a number of different kits that allow you to cover them in plastic to prevent leaks. This does not actually prevent the leaks but covers them up to help lower utility bills.

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