The Essentials of Fall Care for Your Doors and Windows in Burlington
Once the mornings in Burlington start feeling crisp and the wind picks up off Lake Ontario, it is time to get your home ready for the colder months. Summer hides a lot of small problems. A door that sticks a little or a window that does not quite seal is easy to ignore in July. By January, those same problems show up as drafts, cold spots and a furnace that seems to run all the time.
A little attention in the fall goes a long way. Here is a simple checklist for homeowners across Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown and the rest of Halton and Hamilton.
Start With a Draft Check
Pick a cool, windy day and walk the house. Hold the back of your hand near the edges of each exterior door and window, paying attention to the corners, the sill and the spot where the sash or door meets the frame. Many homeowners also use a lit incense stick and watch for the smoke to flutter.
Exterior doors and windows should close firmly and latch with minimal effort. They should not rattle when the wind blows. If you can feel moving air or see daylight around a closed door, make a note of it. Those are the spots to focus on first.
Clean Tracks, Sills and Jambs
Dirt and debris are one of the most common reasons a door or window stops sealing properly. Leaves, grit, pet hair and dead bugs build up over the summer and keep sashes and doors from closing all the way.
- Vacuum sliding patio door tracks and window tracks, then wipe them with a damp cloth.
- Clear the weep holes at the bottom of window frames so water can drain out instead of pooling.
- Wipe down door jambs and thresholds so the door can seat fully against the weatherstripping.
- Check that locks and latches engage smoothly. A latch that does not fully engage usually means the door or sash is not pulled tight against the seal.
Inspect Weatherstripping and Caulking
Weatherstripping takes a beating from every open and close. Look for pieces that are flattened, cracked, torn or missing. On the exterior, check the caulking where the frame meets the siding or brick. Caulk that has shrunk, cracked or pulled away lets water and air in behind the frame.
Replacing worn weatherstripping and resealing gaps is an inexpensive afternoon project and often makes an immediate difference you can feel.
Look for Signs of Bigger Problems
Some problems cannot be fixed with a tube of caulk. Watch for:
- Condensation or fog between the panes of a sealed window unit.
- Soft, swollen or rotting frames, especially on older wood doors and windows.
- Doors that warp with the seasons and stick in humid weather but gap in cold weather.
- Frost building up on the inside of windows during cold snaps.
- Hardware that is loose or no longer secures the door properly.
If you see these, maintenance may only buy you a little time. That is the point where it makes sense to talk about replacement.
When Replacement Makes More Sense
If you are planning to replace, fall is a great time to start the conversation so you are not dealing with drafts all winter.
For entry doors, The Door Centre installs Therma-Tru fiberglass doors, including the Classic-Craft, Smooth-Star and Pulse collections. Most front door projects fall in the range of $3,500 to $8,000+ installed, depending on size, sidelites, glass and hardware. Therma-Tru finishes are backed by a 15-year warranty on painted finishes and a 10-year warranty on stained finishes.
For windows, we install Frank Windows and Doors products, which carry a lifetime non-limited, non-prorated warranty. Every installation we do is also backed by our 10-year installation workmanship warranty.
If a sliding patio door is your problem spot, the good news is that a patio door installation usually takes only 2 to 3 hours, so it is a quick change even when the weather turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace weatherstripping? Inspect it every fall. Replace any section that is cracked, flattened or no longer makes contact when the door or window is closed.
Is it too late to replace a door or window in the fall? No. Fall is a popular time for replacement in Burlington because homeowners want to be sealed up before winter. Reach out early to get on the schedule.
Can I just repair a drafty door instead of replacing it? Often, yes. New weatherstripping, a threshold adjustment or a hardware tune-up can solve a lot of drafts. If the door is warped, rotting or damaged, replacement is usually the better long-term fix.
Get Ready for Winter With The Door Centre
Not sure whether your doors and windows need some maintenance or a full replacement? Visit our showroom at 4280 Harvester Rd, Burlington, to see Therma-Tru doors and Frank windows in person, call 905-333-4044 or email us at info@thedoorcentre.ca to book your free quote.
