An energy efficient home can keep the internal temperature at consistent levels and save you money on utility bills. Properly caulked windows and doors is one way to achieve this, as it seals off air leaks and keeps out moisture. Plus, they will look great once the process is done.
At Alder Glass & Aluminum Ltd, we offer residential and commercial glass services in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas. You can always count on us from changing the windows in your home or the steel doors of your office building. Our team handles tasks with professionalism, skill and excellence. Before you call us for caulking your windows and doors, there are a few steps to take to get the job done. • Inspect the house Know how many doors and windows in your home need caulking. Identify where there are damages that may prevent a good seal. Determine how much time each will need before you begin the process. • Buying the right caulk There are many types that are used. All have their merits and demerits depending on the type of benefits you are looking for from the process. Latex caulking – Can be easily applied and removed as needed. It can also be painted to match with the rest of your window or door. Its drawback is that it needs to be replaced frequently as it’s not long-lasting. It also does not contract or expand, which may cause cracking in future. Silicone caulking – It is more commonly used for the process as the material is flexible to expand and contract with different temperatures. It lasts for a long time along and requires less maintenance and replacement. The downsides are that it needs more skill to apply properly and it cannot be painted. They also come in different shades as per the colour schemes of windows. Thermoplastic / Elastomeric caulking – It is a hybrid. This combines the ease of latex with the durability of silicone. This is a contractor’s choice for residential applications. It is paintable and comes in a few different colors. • Watch the weather If you are caulking your windows and doors while the weather conditions aren’t ideal, your job will be subpar no matter how well you do it. Select a day when the temperature isn’t too cold or too hot. For example, anything below than 4.5 degrees Celsius is too chilly and anything over 32.5 degrees Celsius is too warm. Mild weather is perfect as it will prevent the caulk from melting or freezing as you’re working with it. It’s necessary to hold off the process if the forecast predicts snow or rain within the next couple of days. Enough time should be given to your caulk to dry properly. • Prep your windows and doors It’s important to prepare them, in order to successfully execute the process. Remove old caulk – This is an easy and vital step. Use a paint scraper or a razor blade and slowly scrape off the existing material. Clean the surfaces – Wipe down with a dampened rag or sponge to get rid of any left-over dirt and then dry everything with a clean cloth. Do not forget to brush off any remaining debris, loose paint, residue or dirt with a bristled brush. • Apply the caulk Caulking won’t seal as expected if it’s not applied properly. Ensure you are using the right techniques so you don’t have to redo the job. Cut the nozzle to the right size – The majority of the caulk cartridges have markings on the nozzle that correspond to different line sizes. Cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle about 0.6 cm back from the tip. Place the cartridge in a caulk gun and you are ready to go. Caulk your windows and doors – Hold the nozzle against what you’re caulking and apply. Keep an even pressure on the trigger to spread it evenly. If smoothing is required, do as soon as possible before it starts to dry. In case you mess up, quickly scrape out the caulk, thoroughly wipe the surface and start over. • Smooth out the caulk It can be done by gliding your finger over it. You can also use the back of a spoon or a flat spatula for this. Avoid scraping too much as it will waste the caulk and you will have to redo the whole thing. • Clean up the mess Dried caulk is difficult to remove. You can make use of masking tape around the area to reduce the amount of waste made. Make sure to quickly remove the tape so the caulk can dry smoothly. • Let the caulking dry Once the process is completed, it’s crucial to let it dry for 24 hours. Do not touch. We Can Help Alder Glass & Aluminum Ltd. is a proud family-owned-and-operated organization, established in 1975. Our mission is to provide a level of quality products and services that exceeds customer expectations. We evaluate the needs of each client individually as requirements won’t always be the same. You can go through our gallery to view the quality of our work. Call us today for services regarding caulking your windows and doors.
Bình luận