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How to Save Energy by
Caulking Windows
Window Caulking Improves
Comfort and Saves Energy
By Mark J. Donovan
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Old or no window caulking around windows is a major
contributor to home energy loss. You can dramatically save on home energy
bills by caulking around your windows. Caulking windows prevents warm air
from escaping your home during the winter. Likewise, during the summer
window caulking prevents air conditioned air from escaping your home. The
lack of window caulking can also contribute to water infiltration, which
can lead to both cosmetic and structural damage to the interior and
exterior of your home. Applying window caulk is inexpensive and easy to
do.
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When buying window caulk it’s important to make sure to purchase
exterior grade window caulk that is paintable or clear. Preferably buy window
caulking that partially contains silicone so that it is flexible and can
expand and contract with the window as the outside air temperature changes.
Common caulking types used around windows include silicone with latex
caulking, acrylic with silicone caulking and 100% pure silicone caulking. All
of these products have their pros and cons but in general they are extremely
durable and resilient and can hold up for many years.
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To apply window caulk all you need is a caulking gun, carpenters knife,
ladder, long thin screwdriver, putty knife, a roll of paper towels, and a
small bucket of water.
Before applying window caulk wash down the windows and siding so that they are
free from any dust, debris and oil. This way you can ensure a good bond
between the window trim and caulking.
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Next, use your carpenters knife and cut the tip of the caulking tube off at
a 45 degree angle so that you can produce a ¼ inch thick caulk bead. Then use
your long thin screwdriver to break the seal inside the caulking tube.
Next install the caulking tube into the caulking gun and pull the trigger
until you feel just the slightest of pressure. You may need to adjust the rod
on the caulking gun, depending upon the type you have, to engage the
ratcheting mechanism.
Then begin applying the window caulk to the side of the window frame holding
the caulking gun at about a 45 degree angle. Work from the top of the window
and then down the sides. Finally apply window caulking underneath the bottom
of the window. Make sure not to run the caulking gun too fast around the
window to prevent caulking voids or thin stringy beads. On the other hand,
don’t move the caulking gun so slowly that you end up getting too thick of a
bead. After applying a bead of caulk remove the trigger pressure from the
caulking gun to stop the flow of caulk out of the tube.
After applying caulk to each side of the window you may want to use your
finger to press the caulk in and to reduce the size of the caulk bead. A moist
paper towel also is helpful during this phase of the window caulking project.
If you can avoid having to finger tool the caulk altogether even better,
however this usually requires some practice with the caulking gun and getting
just the right size caulk bead.
In the event you have wide seams to caulk, e.g. approximately ¼ to ½ inch in
width, use backer rod to fill the voids prior to applying the window caulk.
Use your screwdriver or a putty knife to push the backer rod into the wide
seams.
So if your windows are in need of caulking grab your tools and a few tubes of
window caulking and begin saving energy in your home.
For information on
Installing a New Window, see the
Installing a New Window Ebook from
HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing a New Window Ebook provides easy to
understand, step-by-step instructions, on how to remove an old window and
install a new one. Pictures are included for every key step in the process.
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