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As the first real chill is felt in the air, it’s a reminder to get your home ready for the cold months ahead. “Winterization isn’t just about comfort, it’s about protecting your investment from costly damage,” says Bob Coulston, a fourth-generation contractor and founder of Coulston Construction in Kansas City, Missouri. Winter prep is all about smart prevention to avoid unwelcome surprises like burst pipes or high heating bills. When cold air sneaks in through gaps around windows and doors, or when your home isn’t properly sealed up against the elements, you’re basically throwing money out the window while your heating system works overtime. Here are some favorite products to plug those leaks, beef up your insulation, and prep your home’s systems so you can stay cozy all winter long without breaking the bank.
Window Insulation Kit
3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit
Buy NowAbout 30 percent of a home’s heat loss escapes through windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, but adding a window film can help address this issue. The 3M Window Insulator Kit is a plastic-based window film and tape kit that allows users to improve their homes’ efficiency. The film comes in one cut-to-fit sheet that measures 17.5 feet long by 5.16 feet wide, which is enough to cover up to five windows measuring 5 feet long by 3 feet wide. This relatively thick film provides enhanced insulation due to its thickness. It comes with a roll of double-sided tape to facilitate installation and ensure it stays in place all season.
What our tester says: “This was my favorite kit to install. This kit allowed me to reposition the plastic a few times before pressing it down and heating it. Also, the kit does cover a lot of square footage, but the ends of the sheet can be tough, so it’s important to take your time. After I finished installing the kit, removing wrinkles was extremely easy.”
Pipe Insulation
Frost King Foil Backed Fiberglass Pipe Wrap
Buy NowIt’s critical to insulate pipes to prevent bursts as the temperatures plummet, says Coulston. “Exposed or poorly insulated pipes are at risk of freezing in the cold snaps.” He recommends Frost King Foil Backed Fiberglass Pipe Wrap since it is especially reliable and simple to install. This highly durable and easy-to-use foil-backed fiberglass pipe wrap insulation reduces wasteful heat loss on hot water pipes and prevents pipes from sweating.
Thermal Curtains
Best Home Fashion Wide Basic Thermal Blackout Curtain
Buy NowEven the highest-rated windows can leak air, so it’s a good idea to install thermal curtains to add an extra layer of insulation that can help improve the energy efficiency of a home. Best Home Fashion Wide Basic Thermal Blackout Curtains block drafts and hold the warmth inside your house, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature without having to run the heating system as much. These machine washable curtains come in dozens of colors and in lengths between 54 to 132 inches and widths from 40 to 100 inches. As a bonus, they filter out sunlight, dampen outside noise, provide maximum privacy, and add a stylish touch to your decor.
See More: Best Thermal Curtains, Tested & Reviewed
What our tester says: “The curtains did an excellent job of insulating and blocking light. We tested the extra-wide curtain panel in burgundy. The dark, rich color kept nearly all light out, and the thick fabric draped well.”
Weatherstripping Tape and Foam Seals
Frost King Rubber Foam Tape
Buy NowDrafts cause a great deal of wasted heat, so it’s important to seal gaps around windows and doors using weatherstripping, says Coulston. “Frost King Rubber Foam Tape is durable and reusable, easy to apply and at a price you’ll appreciate. It also holds a tight seal, which helps keep warm air in and cold air out.” This weatherstripping tape is simple to use, extra tough and durable, and offers superior shock absorption.
Magnetic Vent Covers
Frost King Magnetic Vent Covers
Buy NowMagnetic vent covers seal metal floor, wall, and ceiling vents to help improve heating efficiency during the winter months by redirecting air movement from one room to another. “Frost King Magnetic Vent Covers are great for sealing unused vents, preventing warm air from escaping and stopping cold drafts from circulating through ductwork,” notes Coulston. “They’re one of the simplest, most affordable fixes homeowners can make—a quick weekend project that delivers real results.” These vent covers can be cut to size to fit a range of vent sizes. They come in white, but can be painted, stenciled, or wall-papered to match your décor.
Caulk Gun
Newborn 250 Smooth Rod Revolving Frame Caulking Gun
Buy NowCaulk guns make it convenient to seal up any gaps in windows and doors that may be leaking air by providing a continuous bead of caulk. The Newborn 250 Smooth Rod Revolving Frame Caulking Gun is built to last with a handle made of zinc alloy to reduce corrosion. The frame rotates smoothly, and the hand grips are very comfortable. It also has a revolving frame, making it easy to caulk around corners. Finally, it has a thumb release for dripless operation and a built-in cutter.
Read More: Best Caulk Guns, Tested & Reviewed
What our tester says: “The frame on this model rotated more smoothly than all the other units we tested, making it incredibly easy to apply caulk and sealant evenly.” Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester and writer
Door Draft Stopper
Maxtid Adjustable Door Draft Stopper
Buy NowDraft guards help prevent heat loss under a door by attaching to, sliding under, or sitting in front of the door to block the small cracks and gaps that let cold air in and heated air out. The Maxtid Adjustable Door Draft Stopper is lightweight, easy to use, effective, and inexpensive. Installation is straightforward and quick. The Velcro helps the piece stay in place when you open and close the door, which is ideal for high-traffic areas. It’s made of polyester fabric that can be easily trimmed with scissors to fit other door sizes. The guard is available in multiple colors, including black, brown, dark brown, gray, and white, which helps it blend in with any door.
Read More: Best Door Draft Stopper, Tested & Reviewed
What our tester says: “Despite some online reviews saying this was difficult to install, it took me a total of five minutes and was very straightforward. At first I thought it would be unattractive but once it was installed, I could barely notice it.” Amber Guetebier, Product Reviews tester and writer
Roof Sealant
Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant
Buy NowDaily exposure to sun, rain, hail, or snow can start to damage a roof, causing small leaks and weakened sections that can let in air and moisture. By filling in these gaps with a sealant, you can protect and repair your roof before the problem grows. The Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant is a favorite due to its thick consistency and good blending properties. By applying it with a paint brush, paint roller, paint sprayer, or hand towel, this sealant creates a waterproof membrane on metal, shingle, or rubber roofs.
What our tester says: “During our test, we found Liquid Rubber waterproof sealant to be the most dependable. It’s thicker than many other materials, so it’s great for filling in gaps or larger cracks as well as creating a good barrier in one coat. It’s also the most ‘blendable’ of the products we tested, allowing us to hide a repair on a black asphalt roof with a bit of roofing grit sprinkled on top. It adheres very well to plywood and asphalt, but because it’s thicker, it may need to be thinned to be sprayed, which can affect its durability and elastic properties.” Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester and writer
