The second in a three-part series sharing tips on weatherproofing your home to combat the Kiwi winter, focusing on the exterior of your home, doors and windows.
Winterizing your house exterior
The first article covered, inspecting fireplaces, wood stoves and chimneys and also discussed cleaning your gutters and roofs. This article covers winterizing your house exterior, doors and windows.
Get rid of leaves and rotting vegetation from around your home and its foundations. Also look for gaps and holes in the exterior of your home and squirt caulk or expanding foam insulation into them. If you don’t have the time hire a handyman to do this for you.
If you have a wood supply, make sure it’s 20-30 feet away from the house and covered with a plastic tarp if it isn’t stored in a shed.
Inspect sheds, attics, cellars or crawlspaces for damage and possible problems while thoroughly securing doors and windows in these areas. Drain garden hoses and sprinkler systems and insulate exposed water pipes where possible.
Hire an arborist to trim tree branches hanging over your house or remove dead trees and branches.
Preparing your windows and doors
Check your windows thoroughly to make sure the glass is in good condition and sits securely in the window frame. It’s also a good time to check that your doors are sound.
Upgrading to double glazing will reduce your energy bills and prevent condensation.
Look for air gaps around window and door frames and fill them with spray foam insulation specially designed for windows and doors. Install or replace weather-stripping under doors and around window.
Hang plastic over windows or use glad-wrap or bubble wrap. Large windows lose a tremendous amount of heat, especially older windows.
If you place plastic sheeting carefully over the inside windows, it doesn’t look that bad and will lower your heating bill.
Don’t forget to check back next week for part three where we’ll discuss insulation and how to weatherproof the interior of your home.
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4 Comments
frank, wellington
Hi, can you please explain why the wood should be stacked 20-30 ft away from the house? We have limited space so it is stacked against the house … is it a fire risk?
Tracey Mackenzie
Hi Frank
I think this is to allow some air to circulate to help keep the wood dry as well as reducing any likelihood of fire hazards. If you have limited space I’d recommend you do your best to allow some kind of gap/area for air to circulate.
Alex
How much do double glazed windows cost compared to normal windows?
Tracey Mackenzie
Hi Alex
It’s best if you post a job on Builderscrack and ask for some prices. It really depends on the unique set of needs your home has. The savings in heating and warmth in your house are other factors to consider when comparing prices also.