Air Leaks in My Bay Windows

Weatherproof

• Weatherproofing your bay window will block drafts and create a tight seal between the window and the frame, preventing air from leaking in or out. Look around the edges of the window where it meets the frame to find gaps that may be allowing air to come through. Cut weatherstripping to size -- use tinsnips for metal and scissors for vinyl -- and plug any gaps you find. Each piece of weatherstripping should be 1 inch longer than the gap you are trying to fill. Remove the backing on vinyl weatherstripping and stick it in place to close the gaps; use tacks to secure metal weatherstripping in place. Apply caulk over the weatherstripping, then smooth with your fingers.

Install Spring Balances

• Remove all sash weights and ropes on the bay window and replace them with spring balances. The sash is the framework that supports each pane of glass of the window. Often, a rope attached to a weight is used to raise and lower, open and close, the sashes on multi-paned windows. Spring-loaded balances, a much newer system of moving window sashes, provide insulation and make the window sashes fit tight against the frame to eliminate air leaks. The old pulley mechanism must fit loosely so the slashes glide easily, but spring-loaded balances expand and contract as needed, and fit tightly against window frames with adjustable steel tape, which is included in the mechanism.

Insulate

• Add storm windows or other insulating materials to your bay windows to block drafts and prevent heat loss during fall and winter. Temporary storm windows may be placed on the windows and removed at will. You may place storm windows on the interior or exterior of the bay window, right on top of the glass. Storm windows are designed to snap right on, and they're available in sizes large enough to cover bay windows. As an inexpensive alternative, bay windows may be covered with plastic window film instead. For truly low-cost bay window insulation, place bubble wrap between two pieces of cloth and hang it inside, right in front of the window, in cold weather.

Replace

• Badly-leaking, very drafty bay windows may need replacement. New energy efficient windows are made to guard your home against heat loss, and can save you hundreds on your annual energy bill. A brand-new bay window can be pricey, but in the long run, new bay windows will lower your energy bill and increase the value of your home.