Drafty windows increase your energy bills by letting air from cooling and heating systems out, while letting the outside elements in. This can be problematic for every homeowner.

Luckily, sealing the gaps, also known as weatherstripping, around windows is a simple solution that can be done on your own or with the help of a professional.

Do you need to weatherstrip your home?

Benefyd can help you determine the current status of your weatherstripping. By creating a digital mock-up of your home, you can find out if the weatherstripping you have is working efficiently, or perhaps you need to install it for the first time. For windows, you can also find out where there are potential air leaks.

This is important has improper sealing and leaks are one of the biggest ways homeowners spend more money on utilities than they need to. With Benefyd, you can determine if this is a major problem for your home. The app shows you how much of a priority weatherstipping is for your home, and gives you clues as to the extent of the project—which will be important late in your decision-making process.

Factors to Consider

Once you determine the need for weatherstripping, there are many factors to consider before deciding whether a professional is the right fit for your project:

Cost – How much do you want to budget for this project? Doing it yourself could potentially save you money, however you should consider how handy you are on your own. As the saying goes, “the cheap comes out expensive.” The need to go back and correct mistakes could end up costing more money than spending more money up front. Then, there is still the cost of materials, the number of windows, and the quality of installation to consider as part of the budget.

Time – How much time do you have to commit to this project? The commitment could change depending on if you are weatherstripping for the first time or simply filling in gaps from existing material. You should be careful to consider the dimension of the window and measure the area to be weatherstripped twice before cutting.

Material – Obviously, this will have an impact on the cost—but more than that, the material you choose will also affect the efficiency of the weather stripping and the ease of application. Felt and open-cell foams, for example, tend to be cost effective but are inefficient at blocking airflow and don’t hold up well against bad weather. Some materials are easier to apply, and may be more useful for someone installing the weatherstripping themselves. Learn more about the different materials used for weatherstripping here.

Labor – Does your project require a lot of labor? It could be that you are applying weatherstripping to windows you plan to install for the first time. In that case, a professional may be appropriate if you are concerned about installing it correctly the first time. If you want to completely replace the existing weatherstripping in your home, a professional could be more useful in helping you pick out new materials and plan a timeline.

Hiring a Professional

Once you answer these questions, you may decide that weatherstripping is a project you can do on your own. If you decide that hiring a professional would be best, Benefyd can help you find a contractor in your area. After conducting your home energy audit, Benefyd can put you in touch with professionals that are the best fit for your project.

Whether you are a Do-It-Yourselfer or need to call a professional, weather stripping windows in your home is just one way to make upgrades to your home’s overall energy efficiency!