Does Anyone Weather-Proof or Winterize Their Home or Apartment?

Ruthanne

SF VIP
Location
Midwest
I have drafty windows and bought some plastic to put on them with some double sided tape. I still have to take the roll of plastic out of the box. I also have to prevent my AC from letting a big draft in here.

How do you weather proof your place?
 

We don't weather-proof, though our old windows downstairs could use it, however, we're planning on replacing the old windows next year, so for what little heat-loss they emit, we're going to see this winter through as is, and move forward with further home improvements come spring.
 
I have drafty windows and bought some plastic to put on them with some double sided tape. I still have to take the roll of plastic out of the box. I also have to prevent my AC from letting a big draft in here.

How do you weather proof your place?
Ruthanne. Do you have old single-pane windows in your place?
 

Ruthanne. Do you have old single-pane windows in your place?
I don't know how old they are as I live in an apartment but it's nearly impossible to get the windows to line up with each other and so there's a draft. I think they are single paned. There are 3 of them together. I really wish they'd put new windows in here but the landlord is always trying to save money so I doubt he'd ever do it.
 
I don't know how old they are as I live in an apartment but it's nearly impossible to get the windows to line up with each other and so there's a draft. I think they are single paned. There are 3 of them together. I really wish they'd put new windows in here but the landlord is always trying to save money so I doubt he'd ever do it.
Do you rely on electric heat?
 
LOL!

Where you can adjust the heat to a comfortable temp and it holds.

Electric heat, at least older styled electric heat fluctuates erratically, making for either a too cold or too hot environment.
I try to adjust the thermostat to be comfortable but when it gets extra frigid out there and the winds whip up it often comes through my ac and windows making it really cold in the far side of the living room and even with plastic up...I have to turn the heat up into the 80s. I think I am going to bring the bird cage into the bedroom when it gets that cold again. I don't want her to catch her death of cold. It was bad last winter here.
 
I try to adjust the thermostat to be comfortable but when it gets extra frigid out there and the winds whip up it often comes through my ac and windows making it really cold in the far side of the living room and even with plastic up...I have to turn the heat up into the 80s. I think I am going to bring the bird cage into the bedroom when it gets that cold again. I don't want her to catch her death of cold. It was bad last winter here.
Another option to combat the cold radiating through the problematic windows, is cutting a piece of 1" solid core, rigid foam board for the windows. The solid foam board will insulate the room from cold migrating in. It will block your view, but you can reserve the use of the foam board for when the weather dips down, and remove the panels when it warms.

Generic Styrofoam Sheet 4feet by 4feet by 1/2 inch 10 Pieces price from  jumia in Kenya - Yaoota!
 
I put one of those stuffed "snakes"at the bottom of the kitchen door to stop the draft. The L/R sliders are thermal panes (as all my windows are), so nothing else besides the drapes needs doing.

Those snakes help a lot.

Ruthanne, can you get help to remove (and then replace) your window A/C? Or, cover and tape it with heavy plastic to block the draft. You can cover it all with a pretty rug, or some nice thick fabric.

Also, hang heavy drapes at the windows. Hah, my mother used to leave the oven door open after using and shutting it off for the residual heat to come into the kitchen.

Ask the landlord for some ideas to weatherproof your windows. He might give in.
 
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I put one of those stuffed "snakes"at the bottom of the kitchen door to stop the draft. The L/R sliders are thermal panes (as all my windows are), so nothing else besides the drapes needs doing.

Those snakes help a lot.

Ruthanne, can you get help to remove and then replace your window A/C? Or, cover and tape it with heavy plastic to block the draft. You can cover it all with a pretty rug, or some nice thick fabric.

Also, hang heavy drapes at the windows. Hah, my mother used to leave the oven door open after using and shutting it off for the residual heat to come into the kchen

Ask the landlord for some ideas to weatherproof your windows. He might give in.
My AC is not in a window--it slides into the wall. I do cover it with heavy plastic and tape but it leaks air yet when the winds come. I may cover it with a heavy blanket this winter, though. I also have a big plastic AC cover. I'm thinking of putting seran wrap over the ac itself since it's so leaky and hold it down with gorilla tape. I can't put drapes on the windows because there are vertical blinds on them and they stick out about 3 inches and it would be very hard to put up a drapery rod. But I used to do that at another place I lived. It did help, too. I may use my oven this winter as the kitchen gets real cold, too. I just fear my bird flying into it... :oops: I'd have to keep it shut.
 
Another option to combat the cold radiating through the problematic windows, is cutting a piece of 1" solid core, rigid foam board for the windows. The solid foam board will insulate the room from cold migrating in. It will block your view, but you can reserve the use of the foam board for when the weather dips down, and remove the panels when it warms.

Generic Styrofoam Sheet 4feet by 4feet by 1/2 inch 10 Pieces price from  jumia in Kenya - Yaoota!
The windows I am covering are about 7 feet wide..don't think I could do that, but thanks.
 
Oh I see, your a/c is in a sleeve. Ok, you're right to wrap in in plastic and tape the, cover it all with a heavy blanket.

The drapes are still doable, but you'll need brackets that stick out further from the wall than the blinds do. Maybe 5 inches? Measure. I was thinking of a span to cover all three windows; 6 panels.

I suggest 84" long, but measure. You want them to touch the floor. They should be lined to stop drafts in winter and stay cooler in summer. I love the grommet tops. So much easier to hang.
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Good luck.
 
Oh I see, your a/c is in a sleeve. Ok, you're right to wrap in in plastic and tape the, cover it all with a heavy blanket.

The drapes are still doable, but you'll need brackets that stick out further from the wall than the blinds do. Maybe 5 inches? Measure. I was thinking of a span to cover all three windows; 6 panels.

I suggest 84" long, but measure. You want them to touch the floor. They should be lined to stop drafts in winter and stay cooler in summer. I love the grommet tops. So much easier to hang.
maxresdefault.jpg

Good luck.
Thank you.
 
I live in a newer home now... Anderson windows that are in excellent shape. Usually, no drafts in this house, but I have a doggie door that fits alongside the sliding door.... so there is a draft from a not perfect fit. I tape it some years or put foam between the panes....

But, I used to live in a very old house, which I loved, and it had some drafts. I had "snakes" that sat by every outside orifice. Snakes sat on top of each of the lower windows and along the window sills. I didn't use plastic because there were storm windows, and I do like to see out. When it was really cold, I did what my mother did in the old farmhouse where I grew up. I would fold newspaper into long strips and fit them in the cracks of the outside doors or slide pieces of folded newspaper into the seriously drafty windows. I loved that old house, I just never had the money to replace the old windows.... and I don't think I would have. The oak windows and doors were lovely.

Insure your windows are calked well. I liked the idea of the 1" foam which could be used when needed.
 
I live in a newer home now... Anderson windows that are in excellent shape. Usually, no drafts in this house, but I have a doggie door that fits alongside the sliding door.... so there is a draft from a not perfect fit. I tape it some years or put foam between the panes....

But, I used to live in a very old house, which I loved, and it had some drafts. I had "snakes" that sat by every outside orifice. Snakes sat on top of each of the lower windows and along the window sills. I didn't use plastic because there were storm windows, and I do like to see out. When it was really cold, I did what my mother did in the old farmhouse where I grew up. I would fold newspaper into long strips and fit them in the cracks of the outside doors or slide pieces of folded newspaper into the seriously drafty windows. I loved that old house, I just never had the money to replace the old windows.... and I don't think I would have. The oak windows and doors were lovely.

Insure your windows are calked well. I liked the idea of the 1" foam which could be used when needed.
I've hear so many good things about Anderson windows, Ellen.

We're looking at replacing our downstairs windows next year, so knowing how happy you are with the Anderson's, that gives us some good food for thought. :)
 
The windows I am covering are about 7 feet wide..don't think I could do that, but thanks.

My home is 21 years old. The windows are the tip out type for easy cleaning. But only double pane, but there is no draft due to the windows. In fact, there is extra insulation in my home, and I have gas heat, but my electric bill is on budget at $89 a month, and my winter gas bills are in double digits.... I have 1400 square feet with a full basement, so the windows have certainly paid for the added expense when the house was built.
 
My home is 21 years old. The windows are the tip out type for easy cleaning. But only double pane, but there is no draft due to the windows. In fact, there is extra insulation in my home, and I have gas heat, but my electric bill is on budget at $89 a month, and my winter gas bills are in double digits.... I have 1400 square feet with a full basement, so the windows have certainly paid for the added expense when the house was built.
Sounds lovely.

LOVE the tip-out style! I'd be cleaning them constantly!

Dear husband has to breakout the ladder each year to clean ours, but the shame of it is, it just doesn't seem to last, but being such a big job, we only clean our windows twice a year.
 
The windows I am covering are about 7 feet wide..don't think I could do that, but thanks.
Nothing could be more untrue.

Standard sized panels come 8' in length, and if cut carefully, the panel or panels would friction-fit seamlessly into the window casing or casings, depending on how many windows you'd be looking at doing.
 
I have drafty windows and bought some plastic to put on them with some double sided tape. I still have to take the roll of plastic out of the box. I also have to prevent my AC from letting a big draft in here.

How do you weather proof your place?
You leave out some info.:
Are your windows operational?
Do they move when you push on them?
If they are wood trimmed and painted how old is the paint?
Do they face direct sunlight?
 
Sounds lovely.

LOVE the tip-out style! I'd be cleaning them constantly!

Dear husband has to breakout the ladder each year to clean ours, but the shame of it is, it just doesn't seem to last, but being such a big job, we only clean our windows twice a year.
I assume your husband climbs to the second floor to wash them? Why not buy a long piece of PCV and attach a mop sponge to one end. Works fine and you never leave the ground.
 
I assume your husband climbs to the second floor to wash them? Why not buy a long piece of PCV and attach a mop sponge to one end. Works fine and you never leave the ground.
We've had a few discussions regarding your hint and tip, and I'm hoping hubby runs with it.

If we had such an apparatus or even a proper squeegee extension rod for such, I could even clean the windows, and rather than twice yearly, I'd be doing them once a month.

I appreciate your post, FM!
 


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