Winter house hunters have an advantage. While house hunting in spring or summer, it’s difficult to gauge how comfortable a home will be during colder nights. Winter conditions provide an excellent opportunity to assess a house’s insulation and identify potential drafts.
General Guidelines
Most drafts occur where housing materials meet, such as around doors, windows, and floorboards. Unfortunately, these areas are often under-insulated. To check for drafts, feel around the perimeter of doors and windows or place your foot near the floorboards along exterior walls (with your shoes off). If you notice a cold sensation, that spot likely needs more insulation.
Doors
- Insulated Metal Doors
Sellers may advertise insulated metal doors, but not all are created equal. Touch the inside of the door; if it feels cold, it’s not effectively insulating. Older aluminum doors are especially problematic as they lack a plastic thermal barrier, making the room colder. Modern aluminum doors with barriers are better. Insulated steel doors, when properly fitted to the door jamb, generally perform well. - Fiberglass Doors
Fiberglass doors are designed with insulation in mind and are effective at keeping the cold out when installed correctly. - Wooden Doors
Solid wooden doors offer decent insulation if installed properly, with denser wood providing better insulation. However, hollow-core doors, often meant for interior use, lack sufficient insulation for exterior use and should be replaced.
Windows
- Frames
- Metal-Framed Windows: These are poor insulators, as they conduct cold into the house. If the frame is noticeably colder than the glass, the window likely has a steel or aluminum frame and may need replacement.
- Wood-Framed Windows: While wood provides decent insulation, it expands and contracts with temperature changes, leading to potential drafts. Wood frames are also vulnerable to rot and insect damage.
- Fiberglass or Vinyl Frames: These materials provide better insulation, but only if installed properly. Poor installation can result in drafts around the frame’s edges, so feel for cold spots to assess their effectiveness.
- Glass
Glass itself isn’t a good insulator, and most windows will feel cold during winter. However, feeling the glass can help you determine if surrounding drafts are worse than the natural chill of the glass.
Understanding Insulation Terms
- R-Value: This measures insulation’s ability to resist heat loss. Higher R-values indicate better insulation.
- U-Value: This measures how quickly heat passes through a material. Lower U-values indicate better insulation.
When evaluating insulation materials, look for high R-values and low U-values for maximum efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Assessing insulation while house hunting in winter can save you from unexpected heating costs and discomfort later on. A well-insulated home is not only energy-efficient but also more comfortable. Use these guidelines to evaluate doors, windows, and frames effectively. If you encounter areas with poor insulation, factor in the cost of improvements when considering your purchase. Investing time in insulation evaluation now can ensure a warm, cozy home for years to come.