A huge snow storm is on the way with the National Weather Service forecasting "widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain" that could affect up to 30 states across the US. Yes, Winter Storm Fern is coming.
And instead of being ill-prepared, one of the best things you can do is ensure your home is well insulated and up for the task of protecting your and your family from the subzero temperatures.
Making sure your windows are insulated and ready to keep the cold out means there'll be less pressure on your heating system that will already be working overtime. So, here are the 5 things you can do to prepare your windows for the inclement weather.
1. Use window tape
You may already have draft excluders for the bottoms of your doors, but if you get a little bit crafty, you can make something similar for the edges of your windows.
Grab anything from a flannel to old towels to even a pair of socks and lay it like a snake along your windows to keep out the cold. If you want to take it a step further, you could even stitch the edges together and fill it with rice before sewing it shut.
This weighted draft snake will work nicely along the bottom of your windows and you can be cut to size. A great hack if you've not got much time to sort out a temporary insulation solution. And if you don't want to get crafty, you can buy them online.
2. Caulk your windows
If you're a bit more hands-on with your DIY, you can also re-caulk your windows in preparation for the cold weather, especially if you've noticed any gaps or old caulk peeling away. You'll need a few extra materials for this one, like caulk remover, a putty knife, and a caulk gun to reapply. And, of course, caulk.
Good caulk won't only keep out a draft with its airtight seal, but it's also waterproof. So, if there's any water trying to get in from aggressive rainfall or sleet, you're giving your windows the best chance to fight against it.
3. Make a draft snake
A quick, efficient and affordable solution for making sure your windows are blocking out the drafts is by using window weather sealing tape. All you have to do is stick it to the edges of the window to ensure a proper seal is created and no air escapes, keeping the cold out and the warm in.
And when the cold weather breaks, it's easily removed without leaving any sticky residue behind. When searching for this online, it's sold specifically as weather sealing tape as it's thicker than your regular tape and specifically designed with weather-resistant materials.
4. Bubble wrap
If you're looking for something you might already have lying around your home, then bubble wrap is another handy solution for insulating your windows. Given the thickness and pockets of air that usually protects items you wrap up, it can actually be another great layer of protection against the cold weather.
Even better news, it doesn't need any sticky applicator to attach it to your window. If you just spray a bottle of water onto the pane of glass, it should stick right on. It's not a particularly attractive solution, but it'll keep your home warmer and that can really help in the cold, winter months.
5. Use thicker curtains
If you've got a little time to order in some new curtains, you might want to think about swapping out what you've got already for something a little thicker. Thinner curtains will let in more of the air circulating around your windows (which will hopefully be a lot less using the tips above), but a thick curtain material will act as another line of defense.
The best way to ensure you're getting a thicker curtain is by choosing the option that are lined or even blackout for that extra material. You can even opt for thermal lining or opt for a heavier material like velvet, brocade, or heavy linen.
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