Cool Weather Prepping: How to Prepare Your Windows and Doors for Fall and Winter

Sharing is caring!

Summer has finally come to a close and temperatures have started to cool significantly throughout Illinois and Indiana. While the fall is one of the most enjoyable times of the year, it’s also the time when home maintenance tasks need to be performed. One such task is that of window and door maintenance and winter prep. Here’s a list of to-dos for preparing your window and doors for fall and winter:

Start With an Assessment

The first thing that you should do is start with a window and door assessment. You should check all of the windows in your home, and all doors that provide access to the outdoors for:

• Broken or cracked weatherstripping;
• Cracks;
• Damage; and
• Gaps between door/window and frame.

Take note of anything you find, as all of the above can lead to freezing, poor installation, and further damage. This is also a great time to give your windows and doors a wash before the real maintenance begins!

Know How to Reduce Heat Loss

Winters get cold in Illinois and Indiana, and there’s no doubt that you’ll be spending money to heat your home throughout the winter months. The last thing that you want to worry about is heat loss through poor window and door insulation, which is why you should address the issue now while temperatures are still pleasant.

Not only should you make sure that the weather stripping around windows and doors is in good shape, but Energy.gov also recommends that you consider installing storm windows, which can help to reduce heat loss by approximately 10 to 20 percent. If you have old windows or doors, new window installation or new door installation in itself (even if the windows and doors aren’t designed specifically to be energy efficient) can reduce energy loss, too. Energy.gov also recommends using drapes and blinds over windows to reduce heat loss.  

Talk to a Professional

Unless your windows and doors are new and in great shape, you may want to talk to a window and door professional about maintenance, repairs, and even possible replacement. A professional can help you to weigh the benefits of different insulation options, such as stripping and film, draft snakes, and foam and silicone. A professional can also guide you through energy efficient new window and door options.

At Preferred Window and Door, we have been helping homeowners throughout Illinois and Indiana prepare for the cold season for more than 20 years. To learn more about how to maximize energy efficiency and prevent against freezing and pests from getting into your home thanks to spaces under doors, contact us today. We provide free estimate for new door installations.