Air Leakage: What It Is and Why It Shouldn’t Be Ignored

An air leak is a huge problem that tends to occur especially around your windows and doors. On average, a typical home loses as much as 30% of its heating and cooling energy through leaks. Excess air leakage is one of the leading contributors to skyrocketing energy costs and is something a homeowner shouldn’t ignore. 

But what exactly is air leakage and what steps should you take to minimize it? Leading French door installation contractor Renewal by Andersen® of Rapid City explains.

What is Air Leakage?

You might think that drafts are normal. The short answer to that is yes, drafts are normal since no window is perfect, and most modern windows are made of several components. But this doesn’t mean that your windows or doors should allow too much air into your home. Your home isn’t a vacuum, after all. 

Having a tiny amount of leakage is perfectly acceptable and is to be expected even with a properly installed sliding patio door or casement window. You can be sure that drafts are at a minimum by purchasing high-quality windows and doors and having them installed by a professional contractor.

Air leakage is measured on a scale of 0.1 to 0.3 with 0.1 being the most effective in minimizing the air coming through your doors and windows. 

How to Fix Air Leaks?

Luckily, detecting air leaks and getting them fixed is easy enough and is something most homeowners can do themselves with a little caulk and weatherstrip. However, if the air leak is too severe, it might be wiser to consider having your doors or windows replaced.  

If you’re in need of window and door replacement services, then you’ve come to the right place! For all your window and door-related needs, please give us a call at (605) 341-7831 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with one of our experts. We proudly serve home and business owners in Spearfish, SD, and other communities in South Dakota.