Although drafty windows are no stranger to most, if not all, houses, many home owners choose to ignore the problem assigning little priority to seeking a fix. If they are made to be aware of dollars literally dissipating into the outside atmosphere due to escaping heat, many will certainly sit up in attention. Whether one is seeking to put in a replacement window or a new one where none was earlier, it pays to carefully consider a type suited to enclose the gaping portal.

Since draft-proof windows exist in one of two modes whereby they are sealed shut with no chance of being opened, most home dwellers prefer windows which can actually open and shut at will. The alternative to the extreme is to opt for windows with rubberized seals to ensure proper fit between window and frame. The casement style which cranks open and shut generally fits the bill as the window is further compressed to the frame when the handle is clicked shut. The sliding version is often the guilty party as the loose fit against the track allows air, heat, moisture as well as any appropriately sized bug to go back and forth with no effort. All is however not lost with drafty windows of this sort as substituting single panes with double panes can help to address the problem. It may not be advisable to go for triple panes as the additional weight may cause too much friction on the sliding tracks.

To find out whether the home is burdened with problem windows of this sort, condensation on the inside of the glass is often proof of something amiss. Run a lighted candle around the frame of the window and joints. If the flame flickers at a certain spot, this is also a sign of air seeping through. In the event one can secure the services of a volunteer to stand outside the window, shine a lighted torch around the inside of the window frame. If the volunteer observes beams of light coming through, this signifies a window needing further attention.

To draft-proof windows, it is often a simple matter of replacing faulty seals. Home improvement kits provide the necessary implements to strip and caulk as a speedy and easy solution to minor problems. When applying the strip, measure twice and cut once. When caulking, work in a properly ventilated area to avoid being overcome by the fumes from the sealant.