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All About Airtightness: Getting Your Windows and Doors More Energy Efficient

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Have you noticed your energy bills going up this winter? If one or more windows in your home are the worse for wear, this can happen. Natural Resources Canada discusses windows and doors as contributors to household heat loss. Airtight windows and doors are essential to energy efficiency in homes and buildings. You can avoid air leakage when you purchase and install airtight windows and doors in your Toronto house. You’ll be able to eliminate drafts, reduce energy bills, and increase interior comfort.

Window Airtightness: What Is it?

Do you know what airtightness means or how to make windows airtight? Airtightness refers to a building’s resistance to air leakage — meaning air flowing both into and outside of the building in question. Window airtightness is essential to window energy efficiency since it safeguards against drafts and maintains a consistent interior temperature.

Window service life varies with the product, installation, exposure and maintenance. But if your windows are nearing the end of their lifecycle or are otherwise no longer efficient, heated or cooled air can escape. You’ll see higher utility bills and experience less interior comfort if you don’t have airtight doors and windows. Air sealing reduces uncontrolled leakage, but indoor air quality also depends on ventilation and pollutant sources. Tighter windows do not replace a home’s ventilation needs.

Types of Airtight Windows and Doors

airtight windows

Are you looking for an energy efficient airtight window or door for your Toronto home? Various kinds of airtight windows and doors can improve the energy efficiency of a home or building. Some of the most common types include the following:

Double-paned windows

Double-paned windows have two panes of glass with a sealed space in between them. These types of windows will insulate your home and lessen total heat loss. The glass package affects heat transfer; weather seals and installation affect air leakage.

Triple-paned windows

These windows consist of three panes of glass with a sealed space between each pane, which provides a greater amount of insulation.

Low-E windows

When you buy these types of windows, they’ll come with a special coating on the glass that reflects heat back into the home. What this will do is lessen heat loss in the winter and limit unwanted solar heat gain in summer, depending on the coating; Low-E glass does not itself seal air leaks.

Gas-filled windows

Another way to get energy efficient windows is to select options with gas between the panes of glass. Gas options include krypton and argon, and they’ll boost the insulation properties of the windows.

Casement windows

Casement windows have a tight seal around the window when closed. So, they provide an airtight fit.

Airtight doors

Airtight doors are constructed to prevent air leakage around the edges of the door. These doors can be made of fiberglass, solid wood, or steel and contain weatherstripping or some other sealant components to prevent drafts.

Sliding glass doors

Sliding glass doors have a tight seal around the door when shut and also have weatherstripping or some other sealant option to stop drafts.

Bi-folding doors

You’ll often see these types of doors in modern architecture. They’re constructed with an airtight seal when shut and also have weatherstripping or other sealant elements to safeguard against drafts.

These windows and doors are constructed to boost the energy efficiency of a home or building by preventing drafts and cutting down on heat loss.

Ways to Make Windows and Doors Airtight in Your Toronto House

Wondering how to reduce drafts around window sashes and frames? There are several ways to make windows and doors airtight. What follows are some of them:

Look into Airtight Window and Door Products

If you’re wondering how to make windows more airtight, check out airtight window and door products constructed to prevent drafts and ramp up energy efficiency.

Swap out Single-Pane Windows

Swapping out single-pane windows for double-pane windows is a smart move. It gives better energy efficiency for your home. Double-pane windows reduce energy transfer in a way that single-pane windows can’t, which helps to reduce heating bills and cooling expenses as well. Double-pane windows can also reduce the amount of outside noise that gets into your home. Glass temperature, indoor humidity and ventilation all affect condensation. Double glazing alone does not guarantee security or prevent mould.

Ensure Proper Installation

If your windows aren’t installed properly, you won’t get all the energy efficiency properties that airtight windows offer. So, if they’re not installed correctly, get that corrected.

Ensure Correct Insulation

Ensure your windows and doors are adequately insulated. Insulation helps to cut down on heat loss and boost energy efficiency.

Inspect for Gaps

Do you want to know how to make old windows airtight? One way is to inspect for gaps. Look at the edges of your windows and doors. Look for damaged perimeter sealant or worn weatherstripping. Use the appropriate repair for each location and keep drainage openings clear.

Add Window Films

Some glass films reduce solar heat gain or UV transmission, but they do not seal gaps around a sash. Check compatibility with the glazing and its warranty before applying a film; visible-light transmission varies by product. Window films, which come in different colors and patterns, can also provide privacy.

Install Storm Windows

You can boost energy efficiency with storm windows. They’re designed to fit over the windows you already have in place to offer more insulation and lessen heat transfer from the inside to the outside. Storm windows also cut down on drafts and lessen outside noise.

Maintain Your Windows and Doors

Do you want to know how to make sliding windows airtight? Look at the seals and weatherstripping on your windows. If there’s any damage, replace the seals or weatherstripping as required.

How to Make Older Windows Airtight?

Airtight Windows

If you want to know how to make your old drafty windows airtight, continue looking for a few ways.

Window repair

Are your windows the worse for wear? The best course of action might be to repair or even replace them.

Insulated Drapes

Add insulated drapes to lessen drafts and heat loss.

Storm windows

Place storm windows over the exterior of existing windows to add another layer of insulation.

Plastic Window Film

An interior shrink-film kit can create a temporary sealed layer when fitted according to its instructions; it is different from a film applied directly to the glass.

Window Wrap

Have exterior flashing and air-barrier connections assessed if leakage occurs around the frame. Do not cover drainage paths with improvised exterior wrap.

Caulking

Add a bead of caulk around the window frame edges. What this will do is seal gaps or cracks.

Weatherstripping

Add weatherstripping to window sash edges to form an airtight seal when the window is shut.

While a lot of heat loss occurs through windows and doors, those are not the only causes of leaks. You need to take a more comprehensive approach by considering things like the roof, foundation, and walls.

Airtight Windows and Doors in Toronto with Falcon WD

The windows you choose have an impact on the aesthetics of your residence. Selecting airtight windows gives your Toronto home a modern and contemporary look. Are you interested in boosting energy efficiency? Installing double-glazed windows, changing single-pane windows with double-pane windows, putting in window insulation kits, adding window films, and putting in storm windows are all great ways to boost your home’s energy efficiency.

Do you want to learn more or book a consultation? Contact Falcon Windows and Doors for more information or a free quote. We serve the Greater Toronto Area. Refresh your house with our durable airtight vinyl windows!

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