Home 101: Preparing Your Doors And Windows For Winter

Heating your home in the colder months of the year can be expensive. And even if your HVAC system is operating at peak efficiency, it’s important to make sure your windows and doors are winter ready, too

If your windows and doors aren't properly fitted, they're likely leaking warm air out and letting cold air in. When this happens, your HVAC system has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, causing an increase in your energy bills.

Fortunately, there some are simple things you can do now to get your windows and doors ready for winter weather. Follow these steps to keep your home warm and save you from overspending on your heating bills.

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Check for drafts by your windows and doors.

If the air feels noticeably cooler near a window or door, there's a good chance there are tiny gaps and cracks in the frame. In some cases, all you need to do is caulk or weatherstrip to seal those gaps and prevent your existing window or door from letting cold air leak in.

Some homeowners take a DIY approach with this task, but hiring a professional weatherstripping contractor will yield better results. According to HomeAdvisor's True Cost Guide*, most homeowners spend $240 to weatherstrip their home. If you only need weatherstripping for a single window or door, you can expect your costs to be much lower.

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Make sure your windows and doors are properly aligned.

If there's a gap between your windows and doors and their frames, it allows cold air to come into your home. Weatherstrip, add a storm window or install a storm door to cut down on these drafts. If the frame is significantly warped, sagging or misaligned, you may need to have it repaired or replace the entire window or door.

The average homeowner pays between $185 and $600 for professional window frame repair and spends between $120 and $325 for professional door repair.

If your windows or doors are structurally damaged and require replacement, you can expect to pay more than you would for a simple repair. Individual windows cost $85 to $2,500 or more with installation adding an additional $150 to $800. Installing a new door costs the average homeowner between $470 and $1,430. The type of material used is the largest cost factor when installing new windows and doors.

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Consider upgrading to more energy-efficient windows.

If you have older, single-paned windows, replacing them with properly fitting, double-paned windows can save you a considerable amount of money on your energy bills. Double-paned windows provide twice the insulation of single-pane windows, so only about half the amount of hot air escapes.

According to HomeAdvisor's True Cost Guide, doubled-paned, energy-efficient windows cost anywhere from $120 to $1,200 or more per unit, and labor adds $200 to $800 per window. Usually the higher the price of the window, the better its energy-efficient rating.

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Install storm windows and storm doors.

As the names imply, storm windows and storm doors help to protect your home from the elements. They also provide an extra layer of insulation which increases your home's energy efficiency.

Storm windows are manufactured using twin glass, acrylic or Plexiglas panels, and they can be installed to fit over your home's existing interior or exterior windows. Most homeowners spend between $2,040 and $10,000 to install storm windows throughout their entire house. The size of the home and number of storm windows installed accounts for most variations in cost.

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Storm door materials and professional installation costs range from $170 to $530, with a national average cost of $350. The design of the door and materials used account for most variations in cost.

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* — All pricing estimates in this article are based on HomeAdvisor's True Cost Guide, a searchable database that gives homeowners an idea how much they can expect to pay for home projects in their area.

More Home & Garden:
How To Reduce Your Heating Bills (And Still Stay Warm)
How To Get Your Home Ready For The Holidays
The Winter Yard Work Checklist
Here's What Frozen Pipes Can Cost You

Sources:
How Much Does It Cost To Install Weather-stripping?
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Window Frame?
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Door?
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Window?
How Much Does It Cost To Install Or Replace A Door?
3 Lesser-Known Benefits of Interior Storm Windows
How Much Do Storm Windows Cost?
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Storm Door?