How Sealing A Window Can Contain Your Environment

Getting home at the end of a long day normally means that you are tired out and don’t want to have to deal with anybody. All you want to do is to shut the door behind you and not hear or see anything. Whatever is happening on the busy street outside should stay there, but sometimes – especially if you live in an older home – insulation might not be your friend. You might have to consider sealing a window or two at the least.
You might find that you can hear people talking outside, those car doors opening and closing and even though this might not be a huge noise problem to you, it certainly suggests that you have other issues to think about. This is when you should definitely consider sealing a window or door, because leaking air is probably frittering away your hard-earned cash in terms of an increased energy bill.
In terms of sound insulation, sealing a window or even replacing it has been shown to be the best methods. Did you know that even a modest crack around a window can let in as much noise as the entire wall in which the window rests? That crack can also let out your hard-earned cash in terms of energy cost as well.
Cracks can be filled in quite simply by a process known as caulking. This is certainly less costly than replacing doors or windows, or rebuilding structures wholesale. Even better, double glazing can keep noise in its place. Look for panes that are as thick as you can afford and establish as large a gap as possible between the glazing.
If you can, consider installing an additional layer of drywall, or recommend filler, in between the existing layers of wall. This is indicated for the more serious problem as it can be costly and very intrusive.
Plain exterior walls are not the best at insulating noise and if you append some stucco it can be better than conventional siding, as well. Pinpoint the cause of your noise problem. If it is an institution such as an airport, contact your local authorities to get a grant to help you.
If you can live with the noise and might not be too close to a major highway or in a downtown location affected by Saturday night revelry, you might think that you can live with it. However, don’t discount sealing a window altogether as if there is a draft present your energy bill is much higher than it should be. In some cases, it could be 20% higher across the board.
Remember that simple remedies often work just as well when you are considering sealing a window or two in your home. Don’t put up with additional noise or cold drafts any longer than you have to.