Window Flashing Tape: Importance Of Properly Sealing Your Home Windows
Have you ever wondered why a particular room gets all dusty and cold even when the windows and doors are all closed? The problem may lie on the sidelines, literally. You may need to seal your home windows properly if you experience this issue to prevent more significant damages in the future.
Here are the reasons why it’s important to properly seal your home windows:
1. Prevents Air Leakages
Air leakages occur even in the smallest gaps and cracks in your home, especially in the windows. On a windy day, try to feel the spaces around the window frames to know if air blows in and out of your home. This can help you determine if there are leakages, as well as what you can do to stop outside air from coming in, and vice versa.
Double the effects of your window sealing efforts by using window flashing tape with caulk. You can choose from vinyl flashing, which works effectively in battling cold gusts of air, and metal flashing, which is typically paired with brick or concrete materials.
There’s also a new form of flashing that comes in a self-adhering tape form. It’s flexible and easy-to-apply, which makes it the top choice for people who want to seal their windows by themselves.
Read First American Roofing: How To Install Window Flashing Tape to learn how to apply it correctly the first time around if you’re doing it yourself. Improper installation of the flashing may lead to air leaks and other window-related problems.
2. Improves Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Having air leak through your windows can lead to high utility costs. This is because your heating or cooling system has to work double-time to achieve the right temperature that would keep you and your family comfortable.
During winter, your heater has to keep on using energy to warm a room since the gaps in your window sidings can bring in the outside draft. Similarly, these spaces can also leak cold air that’s coming from your air conditioner during summer, which causes the equipment to keep on running to cool your bedroom or living room.
Here are some more tips on how to improve your home’s energy efficiency:
- Switch To Energy Efficient Windows – Single-pane windows are not very effective in maintaining the temperature inside your home. Replace them with insulating windows to prevent heat from leaking out during the cold months, and to keep the cold air inside during summer.
- Clean Your Air Filters – See to it that you clean your air filters regularly. Also, make sure that you replace them after some time. Dirty or worn-out filters can cause your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to consume more energy in maintaining temperature inside your home.
- Close The Blinds And Shades – In the summer months, try to close the blinds and shades of the rooms that are exposed to direct sunlight. This way, you can lower the temperature of those parts of your home and reduce the energy you use for air conditioning.
Share your knowledge of installing window flashing tape and improving your home’s energy efficiency by creating infographics about these things through Venngage.
3. Boosts Insulation
Taking the time to seal your windows can improve the insulation of your home. This practice is particularly valuable during the winter months, where you need all the heat you can generate. Moreover, boosting the insulation of your residence can also lessen the intrusion of outside sounds into your home, which is useful for new parents since newborns can be frightened of loud noises.
4. Helps Avoid Damages Caused By Moisture
Sealing windows and doors is also one way to keep your home safe during extreme weather conditions. With this, you can prevent rain from coming into your home and damaging its interior and furniture.
Moisture can lead to the rotting away of your furnishings, especially if you have wooden fixtures and accessories. On other materials, it can also result in the growth of mold and mildew, which can have adverse effects on your and your family’s health.
5. Protects Your Loved Ones
Asthmatic members of the family can greatly benefit from properly sealing windows and other cracks in your home where dust can come in. When left unchecked, these gaps can allow allergens and other irritants to cause significant health problems to your loved ones, so fill them up as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Sealing your windows can prevent air leakages and boost the energy efficiency of your home by improving insulation. You can also avoid having your wooden furniture damaged by moisture, as well as reduce the possibility of mold and mildew infestation on the floors and walls. Through this practice, you’re also protecting your loved ones from foreign elements that may find their way into your and your family’s bodies, leading to asthma or other health problems.