How do you seal old windows

If the upper sash is inoperable, pry out the beads with a chisel, taking care not to gouge the sash. Place the sash on a padded worktable with the exterior side facing up. Clamp the sash so its meeting rail projects a few inches past the edge of the table. Remove the sash lock and set aside. Hold the router base firmly against the top edge of the meeting rail and cut a groove from left to right.

Unclamp the sash, rotate it so its bottom rail is closest to you and overhanging the table, then reclamp. Press the silicone weatherstripping, barbed edge first, into the groove routed into the bottom rail shown. Take care not to stretch the strip as you insert it. Insert the pile weatherstripping into the meeting-rail groove. Use a utility knife to trim the ends of each piece of weatherstripping flush with the outside edges of the sash.

Lower the upper sash and measure the length of the dado in the head jamb. Mark that measurement on the shortest parting bead in the kit shown. Cut it to length. Tap the bead into its dado with the pile weatherstripping facing out. Then rerout the groove and reinsert the strip. Measure up from that mark to the top bead and down from the mark to the sill. The strips on the upper part of the bead should face out. Trim the top end of the bead square; trim the bottom end to match the angle of the sill.

Repeat for the bead on the opposite jamb. The fit should be tight enough to hold them in place. Reinstall the sash, stops, and sash lock. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.

How to Seal Old Windows. By Josh Garskof. Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. Applied with double-sided tape, this clear plastic sheeting shrinks drum-tight when heated with a hair dryer. The film seals off drafts and captures an insulating buffer of air. Use rubbing alcohol to help release the tape in the spring to avoid pulling off paint.

Nail polish. If carefully applied, clear polish fills the crack almost invisibly. Once hardened, the polish will stabilize the glass until you can replace it in the spring. Or, apply clear weather-seal tape to the crack. Draft snake. If the bottom of your window leaks cold air, buy a foam-and-fabric draft snake kit.

Cut the inch foam tube provided to length and slip the washable cover over it. Then place the snake on the sill and shut the window on it to seal the deal. Replace loose or missing glazing. The glazing putty that seals window panes can crack and fall out with time. Doing a great job of glazing takes practice, but even a mediocre job will do a lot to eliminate leaks.

Best part is it only costs a few bucks. Some quick tips:. Rejuvenate storm windows. If you have old storm windows stacked in the garage rafters, reglaze and repaint them, and put them up every fall. Storm windows not only cut drafts, they insulate.

Replace the window.