Ways To Winterize Windows In Chicago
If your home feels like a deep freezer in the winter, your windows could be at fault. Glass panes and the cracks around window frames can release the heat in your home’s interior and let in chilly air from outside. Then you’re going to notice your energy charges rise. That’s why it’s so important winterize windows in Chicago. And although you’ll find lots of tips and products for short-term insulation, investing in more long-term fixes like insulating window treatments or energy-efficient windows will give you the best results.
Use Weatherstripping To Block Drafts
Sometimes normal maintenance can help you winterize your windows in Chicago. Before freezing weather arrives, clean your windows thoroughly and inspect them for warped, cracked, or loose parts that may let in drafts. Especially look for crumbling seals and caulk. You can easily repair these with fresh caulk to help insulate windows before winter’s cold sets in.
Windows can also develop gaps where they sit in their frames, especially as your house settles and things get misaligned. Then all winter, warm interior air escapes through these cracks, and cool air gets in. You can use weatherstripping to stop the gaps and keep in warm air. You’ll find rubber tubing, gaskets, or foam strips for this purpose at your local home improvement retailer. Some solutions don’t always look tidy, but they’re a tried and true way to winterize windows in Chicago.
Invest In Insulating Window Treatments For Winter In Chicago
A more attractive option to keep out window drafts is energy-efficient window coverings. The correct window treatments keep Chicago homes cozier despite winter weather. Polywood® interior shutters are the most energy-efficient window treatments on the market, and they look gorgeous too! Polywood shutters are made from a long-lasting faux wood material with an automotive-type white paint finish that goes with any type of home decor. Most importantly, they come with a patented insulation system.
The patented weatherstripping on Polywood shutters blocks the majority of drafts if you shut the shutters. In fact, your Polywood shutters can prevent as much as 30 degrees of temperature transfer from outside. This energy efficiency means major energy cost savings over time. And since they’re resistant to extreme temperatures and water, you can install Polywood shutters in all kinds of windows to keep out the cold, like humid bathroom windows or frigid attic windows, to maximize your savings.
Replace Old Windows With More Energy-efficient Ones
If drafty windows annoy you in the winter, you may need better windows. Updating old windows with newer energy-efficient ones can help your home feel more comfortable and lessen your energy charges over time. To stop the cold, look for double- or triple-pane windows with insulating gas between the glass. And you’ll rest assured knowing that your new windows are energy-efficient if they have the blue ENERGY STAR label.
Of course, even on new windows, Polywood insulating interior shutters can still make a difference. Polywood shutters add excellent insulation to windows and stop heat loss that inherently occurs through glass. And you can still use them for privacy, light control, and beauty for for a lifetime.
We Can Help You Get Window Treatments For Winter In Chicago
Add elegance and cold protection to your home with Polywood shutters from Sunburst Shutters Chicago. Schedule a no-cost in-home consultation, and we’ll help you pick the best shutters for your windows. Call 847-250-6544 or complete our form to ask for an appointment today.