Seal Your Windows and Doors So You Won’t Open Your Wallet

Now is the time to hide or shield ourselves from the cold inside. To ensure we remain warm, it’s important our doors and windows are working properly. If not, we risk not only fighting the chilly temperatures, but also making our heating and cooling system work overtime, driving our energy bills up.

“There are several steps you can take at home to prepare your windows and doors for winter and prevent costly winter repairs,” said Scott Cline, co-owner of J & B Construction. “Properly functioning windows and doors can save you up to 30% on your energy bills.”

Feel around your doors and windows for air

Door and windows should be completely sealed with weather stripping, which protects your home not only from cold air, but also excessive moisture and mold. “The weather stripping must be replaced every few years, as it often becomes damaged from outside elements like insects and even the sun,” said Scott.

Look at the details

Test your windows and doors by opening and closing them a few times. Are the door hinges and rollers adjusted and tight? Are the window locks strong and the tracks clean? “These might seem like small, nit-picky things, but they can make a huge difference. The strength of your windows and doors is equivalent to the strength of its parts and pieces,” Scott said.

Check your frames

As you check your windows and doors, examine how they fit inside their frames. If the frames and the window or doors don’t seem to match, it may be something to pay attention to. “If a window or a door is not properly attached to the frame, that can be an early sign of a foundation problem,” said Scott. The foundation can change due to soil shifts, plumbing leaks, or just plain age.

“In addition, regularly inspect windows and doors and be sure water drains away from the house,” he said. “Cut back plants and change the drain placement if needed.”

J & B Construction’s team members are experts in windows and doors. They are happy to inspect yours and help with repair suggestions. If you notice your windows and doors have substantial air leaks, peeling paint, condensation, or won’t easily open or close, it might be time for a replacement.

J & B Construction, based in Germantown, provides homeowners throughout southeastern Wisconsin only the best replacement windows from some of the industry’s most trusted manufacturers—Pella and Marvin. These replacement windows offer beauty, durability, and energy efficiency. To get started replacing your windows, contact J & B Construction at 262-437-0537.

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