How to apply temporary weatherstripping

Homes are like people -- they tend to run the gamut from hot to cold. Being as your home is very temperamental, it is important to be aware of sudden temperature changes to avoid high heating and cooling bills. Being a homeowner, you know that heating and cooling costs account for a significant portion of your monthly bills. After you have installed permanent window insulation in your windows, you may find that your windows could use some additional insulation - especially in extremely cold or hot climates, and in older homes with single pane windows. The three different types of weatherstripping that will be addressed in this tutorial are caulking cord, plastic sheeting: exterior treatment, and interior treatment. You can use caulking cord on the interior or exterior of your windows. Simply unroll and press the cord into the creases between the sash and the casing of your windows. Do not forget to press the cord into the space between your top and bottom sash.

Depending on the sheeting kit you prefer, you may install plastic sheeting on the outside or inside of your windows. Outside sheeting is less noticeable from the inside of your home, but can be more difficult to install and remove as you will most likely need to use a ladder to reach high windows. Follow the manufacturer's directions, as there are several options available. Typically, you will use a staple gun to staple the plastic sheeting to the top of the window casing.

You can use a shrink wrap kit on the interior of the window to eliminate drafts and moisture from the interior of your windows. Many of these products involve using a hair dryer to make the sheeting tight and invisible. These kits are for interior use only, but are not noticeable from the outside of your home. First, stretch the sheeting from the top to the bottom of your window.

To learn more about temporary, DIY weatherstripping methods, consult this friendly how-to.