Renters May Save Money On Heating Bills With DIY Sash Window Insulation

Unless your home is newly built, you are very likely to have windows that are not air tight. These older, sash type windows may be costing you money by leaking air. In the winter, when you are trying to keep the house warm, the heated air is escaping to the outside. Not to mention the cold air that is coming in through the gaps. You may be able to save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation.

Your sash windows were once the most efficient windows available to home builders. Now days there are newer, more air tight versions being made. And the parts that your sash windows are made up of may have deteriorated, leaving the gaps we just mentioned. You may not be in the market just yet for replacing all of the windows in your home. Perhaps you rent and don’t want to put that much expense into a home you do not own. You still have options for saving money on your heating and cooling costs. There are ways you can stop the leaks on these older windows. Let’s look at an overview of what is available.

Window caulking gets old and hard over time. When it is applied new, it is soft and rubbery, somewhat like bubble gum. If your caulking has dried up and is cracked, it may be time to replace it. Carefully pry the old caulking out of the window. In some instances heat may be used but be sure to not break the glass with the heat. New caulking can be bought in a can. Simply scoop out a portion of it and roll it in your hands to warm it. It will become pliable like clay. Form it into a rope and press it into where you have removed the old. Or, go the easy route and buy it is already pre-formed ropes.

Your wood framing may have become old, it may have split in places. If so, you can replace it with new framing or carefully pry it off and apply caulking to the underside. Press it back into place and redo your nailing. The caulk on the backside will form a nice seal. You can then go ahead and apply a bead of caulk around the outer edges, sealing out the wind and rain.

Brush insulation is what is used inside sash windows, where the window slides up and down. These brushes become worn and loose their bristles. But they can also be replaces, although it is a more time consuming job. They can be found in hardware stores or places that sell building supplies. Buy them in lengths that will reach all the way from you window sill to the top of the window for optimum performance.

Your window trim is more than just a cosmetic, it actually helps to seal and insulate as well. If it is warped or split, replacement may be necessary. Use a bead of caulk on this also just as you did on the framing. And a rope of window caulk around the outside edges creates a double seal. Finally, repaint if needed.

For those who rent and don’t want to invest a lot of cash in a house they do not own, window insulation film is a great idea. These film kits are available in many sizes and can be cut down to fit any window. They are almost invisible when applied. Simply tack them up around the edge of your window and then use a common blow dryer to heat up the film. The film will shrink with the heat, causing a nice, tight seal that also adds another layer of window pane.

Whether you want to go all the way with your repair or do a quick fix, any little bit will help. When you see that you save money on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation, you will be glad you did.

Get exclusive inside info on how to save big bucks on heating bills with DIY sash window insulation now in our complete sash window draught proofing and sash window refurbishment overview.