Seal windows properly!
There is a lot of talk about energy-saving glazing and highly insulated walls. In many a home, however, draughts through leaky windows are of comparable importance.
Stopping draughts - what can help?
Seal windows and also save energy. Too much air flow means that we freeze even at a room temperature of 21 degrees. This is especially true when the air is cold and damp.
Don't let a penny through the window cracks. Up to 19% of heating energy escapes through draughts if the windows are not tight. New seals save 122 euros per year in an 80 square meter apartment.
Basically, you should first check your windows as follows:
- are the window seals present all the way around
- Are there any visible gaps or joints between the frame and the seal?
- Have the window seals become hard over the years?
- have the seals become severely deformed
- are the window fittings still fully present and functional
- is the window handle too easy to operate (there should be some pressure)
- do the paper test and pinch a sheet of paper between the window and the frame, if the paper can be pulled out easily, the seal is inadequate
- Are the wall and window sill connections completely closed or sealed?
Sealing windows - what can you do?
- Replace the window seals and maintain the window fittings with silicone spray.
- If necessary, renew the wall and window sill connections on the inside with silicone. The silicone joints on the window sills are often affected.
- If necessary, replace the window sealing tape on the outside or reseal the outside of the window with silicone.