If you’ve lived in Eastern Iowa for more than one winter, you know how it feels. It’s a gray November morning, the wind picks up out of the northwest, and you’re standing in the kitchen with your coffee when you feel it. That little ribbon of cold air sneaking in from somewhere near the window.
Winter has a way of finding every weak spot in a home, and windows are usually first on its list. The good news is that you can spot, slow down, or fix a lot of winter window trouble with a little fall prep. Some of it you can handle on a Saturday afternoon. Some of it is your house quietly asking for a professional.
At Hometown Restyling, we’ve been helping homeowners get ready for Iowa winters since 1986, from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City to Marion, North Liberty, Coralville, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and the Quad Cities. Every fall, the same questions roll in, and in this week’s StraightTALK, we’re answering them.
If you’re wondering what condensation on your windows means, we’ve already covered that in Home Maintenance Warning Signs Every Eastern Iowa Homeowner Should Catch Early. Here, we’re focused on the hands-on side of winter window prep.
How do I find air leaks around my windows before winter?
To find air leaks around your windows, check on a cold, windy day.Move a light strip of tissue slowly around the frame and sash, and watch for movement. Feel for cold spots, look for daylight around the edges, and check old sealant and weatherstripping for cracks or gaps.
Drafts are sneaky. You feel one from across the room, then it vanishes when you walk over. Finding the exact spot takes a little detective work.
Simple Ways to Find a Window Draft
You don’t need special equipment to track down most window leaks. A few easy tests will get you most of the way there:
- The smoke or tissue test: On a windy day, slowly move a lit incense stick (kept well away from curtains and blinds) or a thin strip of tissue around the edges of the sash, the frame, and the trim. If the smoke wavers or the tissue flutters, you’ve found a leak.
- The paper test: Close a window on a sheet of paper. If it slides out with almost no resistance, the seal between the sash and frame isn’t doing its job.
- The flashlight test: After dark, have one person shine a flashlight around the window frame from inside while another watches from outside. Light sneaking through means air can, too.
For a more complete picture, it’s worth checking with your utility provider about home energy assessments, which can pinpoint leaks around windows, doors, and other parts of your home all at once.
Seal vs. Weatherstripping: Which Fix Goes Where?
Once you’ve found the leak, the fix depends on where it is. Here’s the simple rule: sealant is for things that don’t move, and weatherstripping is for things that do.
StraightTALK Definitions
- Sealant is a flexible sealant used to fill gaps between stationary surfaces, such as where the window frame meets the siding outside or where interior trim meets the wall.
- Weatherstripping is the flexible material (foam, rubber, vinyl, or felt) that seals the moving parts of a window, like where the sash closes against the frame.
- Sash is the movable part of the window that holds the glass.
If an old exterior seal is cracked, shrunken, or pulling away, it’s a good fall project. Just check the temperature range printed on the tube, since many sealants need a reasonably mild day to cure properly. If the weatherstripping on a sash is flattened, torn, or missing, replacement strips are inexpensive and widely available.
When a Window Draft Isn’t a DIY Fix
Sometimes the leak isn’t in the caulk or the weatherstripping at all. If you’re feeling drafts through the frame itself, if the window no longer closes tightly no matter what you do, or if you’ve already re-caulked the same spot more than once, the problem may be the window or how it was installed. Even a good window can leak air if it was never properly sealed where it meets the wall, which we explain in What to Expect from Professional Window Installation Services.
Do window insulation film kits and thermal curtains really help?
Yes, but only as a short-term. temporary fix. Window insulation film kits add a layer of trapped air that can cut drafts, and insulated cellular shades and thermal curtains help hold heat in at night. They can’t fix a failed seal, a rotting frame, or a window that’s simply worn out, and they shouldn’t block a bedroom’s emergency exit window.
Temporary fixes can make a difference in comfort, and depending on your situation, they may be a way to get through a cold spell or two while you plan ahead.
How Window Insulation Film Kits Work
Most window insulation kits use a thin, clear plastic film that attaches to the inside of the window trim with double-sided tape. A hair dryer then shrinks the film tight. The film creates a pocket of still air between itself and the glass, and that trapped air slows heat loss and blocks drafts coming through the window.
They’re inexpensive and available at most hardware stores, and for a drafty older window in a spare bedroom or basement, they can make the room more comfortable for the time being.
The Trade-Offs of Window Film Kits
Film kits come with a few catches worth knowing before you start taping:
- You can’t open the window until the film comes off in the spring.
- The tape can pull off paint or damage some trim finishes when you remove it.
- The film can sag or puncture (pets and curious kids find drum-tight plastic far too interesting).
Most importantly, never cover a bedroom’s emergency exit window with film. That window needs to open quickly and easily in an emergency, every single night of the year.
Thermal Curtains and Cellular Shades
Window coverings are the other half of the winter comfort equation. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that insulated cellular shades can be a good choice for energy savings, comfort, and privacy. Their honeycomb shape traps air against the window, much like the film does. Heavy, lined thermal curtains work on a similar principle.
The trick is using them well. Open them on sunny winter days to let free solar heat into the room, and close them at night when the glass gets coldest. And if you notice frost forming behind closed blinds, that’s a sign of trapped cold air and humidity, which we cover in our home maintenance warning signs guide.
When Temporary Window Fixes Become a Yearly Routine
Here’s the reality check. If you’re filming the same windows every November and peeling the tape off every April, listen to what those windows are telling you. Temporary fixes buy time, but they don’t restore a failed seal or a warped frame. If you’re not ready to replace every window at once, that’s completely okay. Our article about replacing your windows in phases walks through how to start with the ones that need it most.
StraightTALK Remodeling Tip
Make a list of every window you film or block off this winter. By spring, that list becomes a ready-made priority plan for which windows to replace first, and a much easier conversation during a consultation.
Should I take my window screens out for the winter?
It depends on your windows and your home. Removing screens for winter can let in more sunlight, protect screens from snow and ice, and make them last longer in storage. Leaving them in is fine for many updated windows, especially hard-to-reach upper floors. Check your window manufacturer’s care guidance before you decide.
Ask ten Iowans whether the screens should come out, and you’ll get ten firm opinions and at least one story about a screen that blew into the neighbor’s yard. There’s no single right answer, but both sides have good reasons.
Reasons to Remove Your Window Screens
- More winter sunlight. Screens filter some of the light coming through your windows. In the short, gray days of an Iowa winter, every bit of sunshine helps, both for your mood and for a little free warmth.
- Protection from snow and ice. Snow and ice can build up on screens, especially on windows that face the wind, and the weight can stretch or bend the screen and frame.
- Longer screen life. A screen stored in the garage isn’t being battered by wind and ice for five months straight, and you get a chance to wash it and check for tears before spring.
Reasons It’s Okay to Leave Window Screens In
- Safety comes first. Removing screens from second-story windows often means leaning out or climbing a ladder, which isn’t worth the risk in cold or icy weather.
- Many updated windows handle it well. Quality replacement windows are designed with screens that stay put year-round. Casement and awning windows, for example, often have screens mounted on the interior side.
- Less handling, less damage. Every time a screen comes out and goes back in, there’s a chance of bending the frame or losing a clip.
How to Store Window Screens for the Winter
If you take them out, label each screen with its window (painter’s tape works great) and store them upright or flat so they won’t bend. Future-you will be grateful in April.
StraightTALK Remodeling Tip
If you’re unsure whether your screens should come out, check your window manufacturer’s care guidance, or ask us during your next service visit. And whatever you decide, never stand on a ladder in icy weather to wrestle a screen. No screen is worth a trip to urgent care.
What should I do if my windows freeze shut?
If a window freezes shut, don’t force it. Let the room warm up, or use a hair dryer on a low setting aimed at the frame, not the glass. Avoid hot water and sharp tools. Windows that freeze repeatedly usually point to high indoor humidity, blocked drainage, or worn weatherstripping.
It’s January. You burned the toast, the kitchen smells like smoke, and you go to crack the window. It won’t budge. Not even a little.
A frozen window is frustrating, but how you handle it is important. Forcing a frozen window can do more damage than the ice ever would.
How to Safely Unfreeze a Window
- Be patient first. (We know, it’s a lot to ask in a frustrating moment.) Often, simply raising the room temperature a bit and waiting will loosen the ice on its own.
- Use gentle heat. A hair dryer on a low setting, aimed at the frame and track and kept moving, can help melt ice. Keep the heat off the glass itself.
- Skip the hot water. Pouring hot water on a frozen window can stress the glass and leave behind more water to refreeze.
- Put down the screwdriver. Prying at a frozen sash with sharp tools can tear weatherstripping, scratch the frame, and damage seals.
- Go easy on the crank. On casement and awning windows, forcing a frozen crank can strip the operator gears, turning an annoying morning into a repair.
Why Some Windows Freeze Over and Over
A window that freezes shut once during a brutal cold snap isn’t necessarily a problem. A window that freezes every week is trying to tell you something. The most common causes include:
High Indoor Humidity
Moisture condenses on cold window surfaces and freezes in the tracks and seals. If you’re also seeing condensation on the inside of the glass, our home maintenance warning signs guide explains how humidity plays into it.
Blocked Drainage
Many windows, especially sliders, have small drainage openings called weep holes. When they’re clogged with debris, water sits in the track and freezes.
Worn or Damaged Weatherstripping.
If cold air is getting in around the sash, ice will form where that cold air meets indoor moisture.
StraightTALK Definitions
- Weep holes are small openings in the bottom of a window frame that let water drain out of the track instead of collecting inside.
- Operator is the crank mechanism that opens and closes casement and awning windows.
Prevent Frozen Windows Before They Happen
Vacuum out window tracks, clear weep holes with a pipe cleaner or soft brush, check that weatherstripping is intact, and keep indoor humidity in a healthy range. Our comprehensive home maintenance schedule can help you keep track.
How do I protect basement windows and window wells from snow and ice?
Keep snow cleared away from basement windows and out of window wells, make sure the well drains and downspouts move meltwater away from the house, and consider sturdy window well covers. If a basement window is an emergency exit, keep it clear and easy to open all winter long, and make sure any cover can be opened from inside.
In Eastern Iowa, where snow melts and refreezes all winter, basement windows deserve a little extra love.
Why Basement Windows Need Extra Care in Winter
Basement windows sit at or below ground level, often inside a window well, surrounded by snow and frozen soil for months. When a midwinter thaw hits (and we always get at least one teaser warm spell), that meltwater has to go somewhere. If it can’t drain away, it can pool against the window and find its way into your basement.
StraightTALK Definitions
- Window well is the curved liner, usually metal or plastic, that holds soil back from a below-grade basement window.
- Egress window is a window large enough to serve as an emergency exit, required in basement bedrooms and other sleeping areas.
Simple Winter Habits for Basement Windows
- Shovel smart. When clearing sidewalks and driveways, avoid tossing snow toward basement windows or into window wells.
- Clear wells after big storms. Snow piled in a window well eventually becomes water sitting against your window.
- Check your drains and downspouts. Make sure the drain at the bottom of the window well isn’t clogged, and that downspouts send meltwater well away from the foundation.
- Look for signs of trouble inside. Water stains, damp spots, or a musty smell near basement windows are worth investigating before spring.
Window Well Covers and Egress Safety
Window well covers are useful for keeping out snow, leaves, and animals, while still allowing daylight to enter through clear covers. However, if you have an egress window, there are important safety rules to follow. The window and any cover above it must be easy to open from the inside without needing tools or special knowledge. Never obstruct an egress window with stored items, heavy coverings, or a pile of shoveled snow. For guidance on choosing the right window types for your home in Eastern Iowa, including egress requirements, refer to our guide. Additionally, your local building department can provide confirmation on the specific regulations that apply to your home.
When a Basement Window Needs More Than a Shovel
If a basement window is leaking, the frame is soft or rotting, or the glass fogs up every winter, the window itself may be past its prime. That’s something our team is always glad to take a look at, and catching it before the spring thaw beats discovering a wet basement carpet in March.
StraightTALK Remodeling Tip
Make “check the window wells” part of your post-snowstorm routine, right after you finish the driveway and right before the hot cocoa. Five minutes with a shovel now can save a whole lot of mopping later.
StraightTALK Wrap-Up
Winter in Eastern Iowa isn’t optional, but a cold, drafty house doesn’t have to be part of the deal. A little window prep in the fall makes the whole season more comfortable.
Here’s your winter window checklist:
- Hunt down drafts on a cold, windy day, then caulk the stationary gaps and replace worn weatherstripping
- Use film kits, cellular shades, and thermal curtains as smart short-term fixes, but never block an emergency exit window
- Decide whether your screens come out, and store them carefully if they do
- Never force a frozen window, and pay attention to windows that freeze again and again
- Keep basement windows and window wells clear of snow, with meltwater draining away from the house
And if your winter prep keeps turning up the same problem windows year after year, that’s good information. We’ve been helping homeowners in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and across Eastern Iowa for 40 years, and we’re always glad to talk it through.
Thinking about replacing windows this winter? Good news: it’s more doable than most people think. Learn why in What Every Homeowner Should Know About Replacing Doors and Windows in Eastern Iowa.
1. How do I find air leaks around my windows before winter?
To find air leaks around your windows, check on a cold, windy day.Move a light strip of tissue slowly around the frame and sash, and watch for movement. Feel for cold spots, look for daylight around the edges, and check old sealant and weatherstripping for cracks or gaps.
2. Do window insulation film kits and thermal curtains really help?
Yes, but only as a short-term. temporary fix. Window insulation film kits add a layer of trapped air that can cut drafts, and insulated cellular shades and thermal curtains help hold heat in at night. They can’t fix a failed seal, a rotting frame, or a window that’s simply worn out, and they shouldn’t block a bedroom’s emergency exit window.
3. Should I take my window screens out for the winter?
It depends on your windows and your home. Removing screens for winter can let in more sunlight, protect screens from snow and ice, and make them last longer in storage. Leaving them in is fine for many updated windows, especially hard-to-reach upper floors. Check your window manufacturer’s care guidance before you decide.
4. What should I do if my windows freeze shut?
If a window freezes shut, don’t force it. Let the room warm up, or use a hair dryer on a low setting aimed at the frame, not the glass. Avoid hot water and sharp tools. Windows that freeze repeatedly usually point to high indoor humidity, blocked drainage, or worn weatherstripping.
5. How do I protect basement windows and window wells from snow and ice?
Keep snow cleared away from basement windows and out of window wells, make sure the well drains and downspouts move meltwater away from the house, and consider sturdy window well covers. If a basement window is an emergency exit, keep it clear and easy to open all winter long, and make sure any cover can be opened from inside.