Quick Tips for Winterizing Old Windows

Step by step I’m going to tell you ways to get those old house windows ready for winter. They are easy so pick one or more and start winterizing your old house windows.

First thing to do is wash the window, windowsill and window frames. You want your window to close tight. Little bug bodies and dirt and dust will prevent this.

Shut your window. If there is a lock on your window, lock it. Did your window shut tight? Now look at the top of the window. Is there a crack between the top of the window and the frame? Or does the window fit snuggly up into the frame?

If your window has a crack and doesn’t properly close, the easiest way to help it is not necessarily going to be the prettiest way! Get a piece of cloth. It could be a piece of tee shirt, a tea towel or anything that is reasonably thin.

Cut a strip as long as the top of your window. It can be between 3-4 inches wide. Open your window a few inches. Lay the strip long ways along the top of the window. It should hang over the window a bit on each side (front and back). Now, close the window and see if that helps to slow the air from coming in.

Feel around the side and top of the window trim and frame. Can you feel air coming in? If so you can use window caulking. Hardware stores carry it. Snip the top off and fill the crack between the wall and window frame. Test with your hand to see if you have the cold air stopped.

If you cannot get a hold of window caulking, try using tape. I prefer duct tape. You can run it along the wall, press into the crack and finish by pressing it down along the window frame. It’s not the prettiest, but on a budget, it stops the free flow of cold winter air.

You can buy plastic winterizing window kits in the hardware stores. Or, you can take a piece of plastic (preferably clear) and cut it about 4 inches bigger than the window on all sides. Either use a two-sided sticky tape or duct tape. Be sure to press firmly. Check for cold airflow.

If you have cracked panes in your window, get a piece of insulated foam board. If you don’t have insulated foam board, use as heavy a cardboard as you can find.

Tape it into position in your window. Seal with tape. Then put the plastic over it as describe in above paragraph. You can’t see out of it, but it will stop the cold airflow through the cracked glass panes.

If your old house has windows on the north side, put plastic on both the inside and outside of the window. This creates a buffer zone of sorts and really slows the cold winter airflow.

These aren’t expensive things to do. But these winterizing tips on your old house windows will keep you warmer on cold days.