Winter Care Tips for Doors and Windows November 30, 2017 When snow covers every inch of the ground, you know one thing for sure – winter is not coming… it’s already here! While your first instinct may be to grab a cup of hot drink (Trust us, that is what we want, too!) you might want to take a look around the house and see if everything is winter-proof. For instance, are your doors and windows ready for this cold season? Issues with your doors and windows are rarely noticeable, but once winter kicks in, you are going to know for sure where cold air is seeping through. Before you start getting too cold, check out these helpful seasonal tips. We at Platinum Home Designs & Renovations follow these steps at our own homes and we suggest you do, too! See Where Those Drafts are Coming From Clean dust and debris from door jambs and tracks. Weather-strip both sides of your door, as well as the top. Do this quick test, too: See if you can slip a piece of paper under your exterior swinging door sweeps. If you can, have the sweep replaced at once! This might not seem like a big thing, but it’s actually wasting energy (and your money) every single day. If your home is a bit old, and you still have the original bow or bay windows, chances are, the glazing putty used to keep the glass in place is about ready to retire. Check to see if the glass is jiggling inside the frame or if you can feel cool air around the edges. You might also notice signs of condensation. If these signs are present, you might have to replace your windows pronto. Inspect the Frames for Signs of Leak Majority of the drafts leaking into homes get through frame joints that surround doors and windows. If your doors and windows are not properly sealed you are unknowingly wasting hundreds of dollars on energy bills! Repair frame leaks before it gets really cold! Replace What Needs to Be Replaced We know that most homeowners cringe a bit whenever they hear or realize that they have to replace or upgrade some elements of their homes, including their doors and windows. They try to convince themselves that what they have now still work and perhaps they can put it off until next winter. But really, do you think you are saving money now with the way your old windows and doors are wasting energy? The truth is, replacing your doors and windows with energy-efficient units will save you so much more in the long run. If you’re ready to choose replacement doors and windows, just call Platinum Home Design & Renovations and we’ll help you out! You’ll enjoy this beautiful season more if you don’t have to worry about your doors and windows not making it through the winter. We hope those tips help! Stay safe this winter!