Home & Garden - Older, drafty cabin - 1995

Dear Home Work:

I've got an older, drafty cabin that needs some attention. Winters seem awfully cold. Air leaks from the windows, even through cracks in the walls. The doors leak a tremendous amount of air. Help!!

In acquiring an older cabin, you've most probably captured a charm that is not available in some of our newer structures. But, we've come a long way with building procedures and new materials that are now standard procedure, that allow us to create a much more energy efficient home.

A few things you may consider to assist in creating your home as an air-tight unit - keeping your heat inside and the cold air outside.

WEATHER STRIPPING - it's extremely important in our area, where winter temperatures may drop even below the teens. Basically, weather strips are thin, linear materials placed between doors and windows, and their jambs to prevent air leakage. Weather strips seal operable joints, and should never be painted. Any good contractor can easily install the product, but it's also a simple do-it-yourself project that will help your drafty situation.

WINDOWS - if yours are the old wooden, single pane type, you may want to consider replacement. Bear City Glass offers simple-to-install storm windows that fit inside the house, on your window sill, as well as traditional storm windows for the exterior of your home.

WINDOW COVERINGS - Ellie Ferguson, Haus & Home Interiors, suggests new window coverings now available on the market can effectively decrease the transmission of heat or cold through old or new windows. A new cellular pleated shade design (honeycomb), available through numerous manufacturers is an extremely efficient covering for our colder climate.

INSULATION - additional insulation can be blown in, or bats can be laid in the attic area as well as under the floor, depending on accessibility. With insulation, you create a higher "R-Value" (resistance to heat flow). Adding insulation is often needed in older cabins.

FIREPLACE DAMPER - If you don't use your fireplace much, or are a 2nd homeowner, Rosie Hinojos, SW Gas, reminds you to close the damper to keep your warm air from escaping out the chimney.

CAULKING - for obvious cracks and flaws in older siding and cabins - fill the holes with caulking or foam. There are many types of fillers available for different applications. Check out our local lumber yards for the right materials for your project.