A cold sensation near a window does not always mean outside air is leaking through it. Learn how Signature Elite weatherstripping works and how to distinguish product leakage, installation gaps and cold-glass convection.
Article 17 of 100 | Gentek Window and Patio Door Contractor Series
Why Do New Windows Feel Drafty? A Signature Elite Air-Leakage Guide
When a homeowner says a new window feels drafty, replacing weatherstripping or applying more caulk may not solve the problem. The sensation could come from air moving through the window, leakage around the installed frame, cold-air convection at the glass or an unrelated opening in the building envelope. Contractors who distinguish these conditions before proposing a repair can avoid unnecessary service work and give the owner a more credible answer.
How Signature Elite Windows Manage Air
Gentek lists several construction details intended to support the thermal and weather performance of Signature Elite windows. These include fusion-welded frame and sash corners, multi-chambered construction, protective multi-layer weatherstripping and style-specific interlocks or compression seals.
Signature Elite double-hung windows include a sash-to-sill nested interlock and composite reinforcement at the meeting rails. Casement and awning windows use compression-type sealing as the sash closes against the frame. Sliding windows incorporate weatherstripping and meeting-rail details suited to horizontal operation.
These features help manage air leakage, but no operable residential window should be
Part of: Windows & Doors
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