Weatherproofing Your Home

Return to the Real Estate Library

New products are being introduced constantly that make weatherproofing projects easier. Case in point: fiberglass batts wrapped in breathable plastic that prevent the fibers from working loose and irritating your skin. When it comes time to weatherproof your home, take time to ask our knowledgeable professionals for advice about new products.

Weatherproofing your house is always a good idea. Primarily, it saves money. Within a few years, most weatherproofing projects will pay for themselves by reducing the cost of heating and cooling your home.

A well-insulated house is easy on the environment. By reducing energy use, you help reduce pollution and conserve natural resources. In an average home in a cold climate, reducing energy usage by just 15 percent saves the equivalent of 500 pounds of coal. An energy-efficient house is also more comfortable for you and your family.

Seal your television cable jacks, telephone lines, spigots and other entry points that allow unwanted cold air to enter your home. Use an expanding foam insulation, but be careful - a little goes a long way!

Most weatherproofing projects involve the two primary heat-loss areas in your home: windows and doors. Caulk and weatherstripping are the principal tools you use, although there are a number of other items you may find to minimize your energy loss. Such items include storm windows and storm doors as well as plastic window well covers.