When it’s frigid and blustery outdoors, most people want to stay snuggly warm indoors. This is especially true right now, during winter’s coldest months. Your home’s windows are one safeguard from the chilly temps outside. Be sure to watch for winter window damage so you can protect your home and enjoy the season without being left in the cold.

Cracking

Thermal stress cracks are caused by abrupt temperature changes, such as extreme cold. That chilly air can create tension with enough force to crack the glass. A tiny crack can often spread across the window, creating a bigger, more visible, and immediate issue.

Blasts of wind from a wicked winter storm can knock tree branches against and occasionally into a window. This can scratch or even break the glass and possibly require an urgent fix to keep the cold air outside where it belongs.

Warping

Some materials, especially wood, are prone to warping and bending under intense heat (and humidity) or severe cold. Untreated window frames are put through the wringer in areas with humid summers and frigid winters, both of which are staples in Minnesota. That continuous fluctuation can cause wood to lose its structural integrity, putting your windows and your home at risk.

Malfunctioning

In wintertime, window locks, handles, hinges, or other hardware elements may be difficult or impossible to operate. This could be due to ice or snow accumulation or from the cold weather freezing things in place or cracking them altogether. You probably don’t plan to open your windows much if at all in the winter, but for safety and security reasons, you don’t want them rendered inoperable, either.

Icing

Windows can also freeze shut from ice buildup. Moisture seeps through window edges and hardens once it hits the cold air, freezing the window in place and causing damage to the weather stripping. That creates a snowball effect of moisture escaping and freezing, leading to more ice formation in and around the windows.

Ice can also cause problems when it collects on eaves, gutters, or rooflines. Once those icicles or ice formations become too heavy to hang, they can break off and potentially impair or break any nearby windows. Be sure to keep an eye on what’s happening outside so that it doesn’t come crashing inside.

The cold Minnesota weather can cause all kinds of disturbances and destruction, including window damage. But with the right tools, like high-performance windows from Spotless & Seamless, you can be prepared and protect your home. Our team of certified and trained home exteriors professionals is ready to help you add safety and value to your home. Contact us today to learn about window replacement options.

Every year in Minnesota, it feels like winter starts earlier and stays longer than it should. That telltale white landscape and those single-digit temps are clear indicators that we’re officially in full swing. Though we can’t do much about the snow, we can offer ideas to thwart inviting the season’s chill inside. Check your windows and doors for drafts and use these tips to help lock out the cold this winter.

Secure and Seal Windows and Doors

Throughout warmer months, you probably have windows open more often and may even leave them unlocked. To keep the cold winter air outside where it belongs, be sure to lock your windows to create a better seal. A window lock will merge the sashes and close any gaps through which cold air can sneak in or warm air can seep out.

Add some weather stripping to windows to create an even tighter seal. If you notice air coming in around exterior entryways, affix weather stripping to the top and sides of those drafty doors. Add a door sweep along the bottom to eliminate any gaps near the threshold.

Double Up on Window Coverings

The more barriers between you and the outside, the better. Use whatever you’ve got. If your windows have blinds as well as heavy drapes, combine them to provide better protection.

Keep everything closed when the weather outside is blustery and frightful. On sunny days, open up the drapes and blinds. Though the temperatures may be cold, the direct sunlight coming in should help warm up the room.

Use Door Draft Stoppers

Place these elongated and weighted draft excluders, sometimes called a door snake, along the base of an interior door to block a cold draft. On especially chilly days or for extremely drafty doors that require more than a draft stopper, hang a thick blanket on the inside of the doorway. This should help stave off drafts around all the edges.

Prepare with Plastic

A quick and inexpensive way to lock out the cold is with a plastic film window insulation. These DIY kits are readily available and simple to use. Once the film is measured and cut and then secured with a double-sided adhesive, use a blow dryer to shrink-fit the film to a clear layer of plastic insulation. This option can also help save on heating costs.

These ideas can hopefully help you lock out the cold this winter and keep your home and your family snuggly warm. If your windows or doors are older and require constant work, perhaps you want to replace them. Spotless & Seamless offers high quality solutions that will save energy, enhance curb appeal, and increase safety and comfort. Our Twin Cities home exteriors experts can discuss the best replacement options to fit your budget and needs. Contact us today.