For those of us living in the northern states, winter can be a tough time. While many enjoy the snow and seasonal variety, no one likes the bitter cold. Somedays, all you want to do is stay curled up in your home and wait for the season to pass.

Trouble is, many folks suffer from drafty homes. Even with the heat on, you get cold spots here and there. You can turn up the heat to compensate, but this often leaves you with uneven temperature zones.

One room will be too hot, the next will be a little cool, and this cycle repeats throughout the house.

The best way to ensure comfort is to take care of the drafts. That starts by addressing the most common sources for home drafts: windows and doors.

Window Draft

Thanks to air conditioning, windows are largely for decorative purposes these days. But it’s still nice to be able to open them from time to time. Trouble is, openable windows are the ones that pose the highest risk for drafts.

Especially if they’re old windows.

Checking for window draft is easy enough. Simply guide your hand around the edges, and you should be able to tell. Make sure the window is shut tightly. Also check the sealing and weather stripping. If there’s still a draft, you have a few options.

You can actually buy draft stoppers that can be set on the window ledge. Alternatively, many people will place plastic wrapping over the window to better seal it. You can also invest in some thicker drapes to place over the window.

If the draft is particularly bad, the best thing might be to get new windows installed. Old fashioned windows, even ones that don’t open, are known to be sources of heat loss. Why not just upgrade to something better?

Door Draft

While window drafts are arguably the more common culprit, cold air can certainly leak through the doorway as well. If you’re noticing cold drafts even with the door is closed, check the sealing and installment of the door.

Does cold air seem to be seeping through?

If so, it’s best to have a professional come and take a look. It could be from worn stripping or it could be due to an improper door installation. Either way, a professional can pinpoint the cause and fix the problem.

For installation and maintenance of entry doors in Ohio, Springfield Overhead Doors is here for you. Need a new door altogether? We have a great selection available. Contact us today!