Do You Feel a Draft?

It's not even November yet, and I've already gotten a couple of calls from clients who are ready to winterize their homes. And according to the almanac, it's going to be a looooonngg cooooolldd winter. (Brrrrr.)

With that in mind, I thought I'd show off a few options for preventing drafts and saying warm during our Asheville mountain winters.

Storm Doors

Especially in historic homes with old-fashioned fittings, it's quite possible that your front door is letting in a draft. Storm doors can stop drafts, and they also let in light on sunny winter days. I can measure the door for you, pick it up at the hardware store, and install it. You don't even have to lift a finger.

The newer doors are also very subtle and attractive.

Interior "Storm Windows"

This is another great way to stop drafts without having to replace all of your windows. Bonus: I've recently learned that they're the preferred choice in historic districts such as Montford, because they won't change the exterior look of your home.

These aren't the heavy, expensive Plexiglass windows that are so hard to put in and take out. The latest product is a super-heavy-duty plastic film stretched on a frame that friction fits into your window opening. And as the title implies, they're "installed" from the interior, so you can take them out if you want to open the window.

They're also very subtle in appearance, and they come in white or bronze. Here's an example of a white one:

Before

After, with Interior Storm Window

You can barely tell the difference.

Here's what they look like up close:

I really like these as an alternative to the old Plexiglass windows. They're cheaper, they're easier to install, and they work.

Weatherstripping

Another common winter problem is drafts around otherwise solid doors. In those cases I recommend weatherstripping.

Now, you may harbor a few grudges against weatherstripping. It's true that the cheap stick-on stuff is awful. It's made of a low-quality foam that quickly degrades and leaves an ugly mess.

However, I can install a heavy-duty silicon rubber weatherstripping that lasts a lot longer and really stops the drafts. I can also install a permanent metal-and-rubber door sweep along the bottom of the door to prevent breezes from blowing in under it.

If you live in Asheville, Weaverville or Mars Hill, and you want to keep Old Man Winter at bay, give me a call, I'll be glad to help you stop those chilly drafts.

Yes, I Want to Stay Warm This Winter