New windows can improve comfort, but air can still enter around the window frame or elsewhere in the house. When the draft remains, pay attention to its exact location, when it appears, and whether you can feel moving air. That helps distinguish an air leak from the sensation of sitting beside a cold surface.
Check the window and the surrounding opening separately
On a windy day, use your hand to compare the sash, the trim, and the baseboard below the window. A leak at the sash may be a window adjustment or weatherstripping issue. Air near the trim can come from the gap between the frame and the wall opening. A cold area without noticeable air movement may need a closer look at surface temperatures.
Look beyond the window
Check the attic hatch, exterior doors, and the room or basement below the draft. In cold weather, warm air can escape through high openings and draw outdoor air in lower down. This can make a draft near a new window feel like a window problem even when air is moving through another part of the house.
Measure before opening a wall
Write down which rooms are affected and what the wind was doing when you noticed the draft. A home energy assessment may use a blower door to locate leaks and an infrared camera to flag temperature patterns. The results can guide targeted sealing before anyone commits to larger insulation work.
Describe the draft when you contact us
Tell us whether you feel the draft at the sash, trim, baseboard, or somewhere else, and mention when the windows were installed. That gives us a starting point for discussing which parts of the house need a closer look.
