Don’t forget to seal the windows
If there’s a terrible draft in your home, leaking windows are often to blame. If you don’t act quickly now, you risk higher heating costs and possibly even a cold. This article presents a number of effective methods for sealing windows. In addition, our expert explains how to easily spot cracks and crevices as a layperson.
Tip 1: Track down the causes of drafts
Where does the draft come from? You can easily find that out by running a lit candle along the inside of the window frame. The flickering flame shows you where the leak is. The same trick works with a tea light. Another method: Open the window, place a piece of paper on the frame and close the window again. If you can now remove the paper without effort, the seal is no longer tight and should be replaced. Cold wall areas are indicative of thermal bridges. You can identify these cold areas by scanning the walls with your hands. Thermal imaging cameras provide the most accurate information about thermal bridges.
Tip 2: Seal windows properly
Joints and cracks between window frame and sash can be sealed quite effectively with sealing tapes. However, they will keep your windows tight for no more than one winter. Gun-applied silicone sealants stop unwanted drafts for a much longer time – especially in the area of connection joints between wall and window. They also protect against moisture. Window seals should be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth. In winter, it is recommended to treat them with silicone spray or grease in order to keep the rubber elastic. In summer, talcum powder is the right care product for window seals, because it binds moisture. Insider tip: Insulating films applied to the inside of windows. They reflect the heat back into the room. If you’re unsure about the right procedure, you should have the sealing work carried out by a qualified craftsman. Larger cavities under the windowsills should be expertly filled by a professional. Don’t forget: Regular purge ventilation also saves heating costs!
Tip 3: Ensure a healthy living environment
To ensure clean and unpolluted air inside your rooms, you should only use healthy building products. Just take a quick look at the packaging: If it shows the EMICODE® quality seal, the product meets the world’s most stringent emission limits. The responsible certification body is GEV, the Association for the Control of Emissions in Building Materials. In addition to sealing products for windows and facades, also insulation boards and numerous other building and installation materials are tested, using a defined test chamber method. To ensure the limit values are complied with in the long term, regular spot checks are carried out by independent experts and testing institutes.
Photo: © fizkes/123rf.com/GEV
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