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How to Check Your Windows Before Winter: Seals, Hinges and Adjustments
Learn how to check your windows before winter. Inspect seals, hinges and locks, identify drafts and find out when your windows need adjustment or professional help.
10/4/20266 min read
Winter is coming, and your windows are one of the first places to check if you want to keep your home comfortable.
Windows that don't close properly, worn seals, loose hardware and poor alignment can allow cold air to enter and warm air to escape. You may notice a cold draft, condensation, rattling, or simply a room that feels colder than the rest of your home.
The good news is that a simple inspection before winter can help you identify problems early.
In this guide, we'll show you how to check your windows before winter, what to look for around the seals and hinges, and when a window may need adjustment or professional help.
Why Check Your Windows Before Winter?
Small window problems can become much more noticeable when temperatures drop.
A window may look perfectly fine but still have:
A worn or damaged seal
Loose hinges or hardware
Poor alignment
A gap between the sash and frame
A lock that doesn't pull the window closed properly
A damaged handle
Drafts around the frame
Condensation or moisture problems
Checking your windows before winter gives you an opportunity to address these issues before cold weather arrives.
It can also be easier and more comfortable to arrange repairs or adjustments before you're dealing with freezing temperatures.
1. Check for Cold Drafts
The easiest place to start is by checking whether cold air is getting around the window.
On a cold or windy day, slowly move your hand around the edges of the closed window.
Pay particular attention to:
The corners
The opening side of the window
Around the hinges
Around the locking points
The area where the frame meets the wall
If you feel noticeable cold air coming through, your window may not be sealing properly.
A draft doesn't necessarily mean that the window itself needs replacing. The problem could be something as simple as an adjustment, damaged seal, or hardware issue.
2. Inspect the Window Seals
The rubber or flexible seals around a window help create a tight barrier between the inside and outside.
Over time, seals can become:
Brittle
Cracked
Flattened
Loose
Torn
Displaced
Run your eyes around the entire seal and look for obvious damage.
Also check whether the seal is sitting properly in its channel.
If the seal is damaged, adjusting the window may not solve the problem. It may need to be replaced.
A simple seal check
Close the window on a thin piece of paper.
If the paper slides out very easily in certain areas while the window is closed, it can indicate that the compression around the seal isn't consistent.
This isn't a definitive test, but it can help you identify areas worth investigating.
3. Check Whether the Window Closes Properly
Open and close each window you plan to inspect.
It should generally move smoothly without requiring excessive force.
Look for signs such as:
The window rubbing against the frame
A handle that's difficult to turn
A window that doesn't close completely
The sash dropping or appearing uneven
A lock that doesn't engage properly
The window needing to be pushed or pulled into position before it will close
These can indicate alignment or hardware problems.
Don't force a window that doesn't close correctly. Forcing the handle or sash can potentially damage the hardware.
4. Inspect the Hinges
Hinges are easy to overlook, but they're an important part of how a window opens, closes and sits against the frame.
Check for:
Loose screws
Visible damage
Rust or corrosion
Unusual movement
Squeaking
A sash that appears to have dropped
If the window is no longer sitting squarely in the frame, it may need adjustment.
Depending on the window design, adjustment may involve the hinges or other hardware rather than the glass or frame itself.
5. Check the Locking Mechanism
When you close the window, the locking mechanism should engage properly.
Check whether:
The handle turns smoothly
The lock engages without excessive force
The window pulls firmly against the seals
The locking points appear to line up correctly
If you have to force the handle to lock the window, don't ignore it.
A window that requires excessive force may need adjustment or hardware attention.
6. Look for Gaps Around the Frame
Inspect the area where the window frame meets the surrounding wall.
Look for:
Visible gaps
Cracked sealant
Damaged finishing
Signs of moisture
Damp patches
Cracks around the frame
Not every crack means the window needs replacing.
However, persistent gaps or moisture around the frame are worth investigating, particularly before winter.
7. Check for Condensation
Some condensation can be normal, particularly in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.
However, persistent or excessive condensation deserves attention.
Check whether moisture regularly appears:
On the inside of the glass
Around the window frame
On the seals
On the surrounding wall
Condensation can have several causes, including indoor humidity, ventilation and differences in surface temperature.
If you regularly see moisture or signs of damp around your windows, investigate the underlying cause rather than simply wiping the water away.
8. Check Your Plastic Windows for Adjustment
Many modern uPVC and other plastic windows use adjustable hardware.
Depending on the design, adjustments may affect how the sash sits within the frame or how firmly the locking points pull the window closed.
This is sometimes referred to as putting a window into “winter mode.”
However, not every window has a specific winter/summer setting, and the adjustment mechanism varies between window systems.
It's therefore important not to assume that every window should simply be tightened as much as possible.
An incorrect adjustment can make the handle difficult to operate, put unnecessary pressure on hardware or affect how the window functions.
If you're unsure what type of adjustment your windows need, getting someone experienced to inspect them can be the safer option.
What Does “Winter Mode” Mean for Plastic Windows?
You may have heard that uPVC windows have a “winter mode” and a “summer mode.”
This generally refers to adjusting the window's locking hardware to change how firmly the sash is compressed against the seal.
The idea is that a tighter seal can help reduce drafts during colder weather.
But this isn't a universal setting.
Some windows have adjustable locking cams or similar hardware, while others don't. The correct adjustment also depends on the window system and its condition.
Rather than automatically changing every window to its tightest setting, inspect the window first.
If it already closes and seals correctly, there may be no reason to make a seasonal adjustment.
Should You Adjust Your Windows Yourself?
Some basic checks are easy to do yourself.
You can inspect:
Seals
Drafts
Hinges
Handles
Locks
Visible gaps
Condensation
Adjusting the hardware is a different matter.
If you know your window system and understand how its adjustment points work, minor adjustments may be possible.
But if you're unsure, it's better not to experiment with the locking mechanism.
A small adjustment can affect how the window closes and seals. If the problem is actually a damaged seal, hinge, lock or frame alignment, adjustment alone may not fix it.
Signs Your Windows May Need Professional Adjustment
Consider getting help if:
Your window is difficult to close
The handle is hard to turn
The window rubs against the frame
You can feel a significant draft
The sash appears uneven
The locking points don't align
The window doesn't pull tightly against the seals
You've tried a basic adjustment but the problem remains
You're unsure which adjustment points to use
Professional adjustment can sometimes solve a problem without the need to replace the entire window.
Post your window adjustment task on Helplii and get your home ready for winter.
Do You Need to Replace the Window?
Not necessarily.
A drafty or poorly closing window doesn't automatically mean you need a new window.
Depending on the problem, the solution could be:
Cleaning
Seal replacement
Hardware adjustment
Hinge adjustment
Lock or handle repair
Replacement hardware
Frame or installation repair
A proper inspection can help determine what is actually causing the problem.
If the window, frame or glazing is seriously damaged, however, replacement may eventually be the better option.
Your Pre-Winter Window Checklist
Before the cold weather arrives, check each window for:
☐ Drafts
Can you feel cold air around the edges?
☐ Seals
Are the rubber seals intact and properly positioned?
☐ Hinges
Are they secure and functioning smoothly?
☐ Handles
Do they operate without excessive force?
☐ Locks
Do all locking points engage correctly?
☐ Alignment
Does the sash sit evenly inside the frame?
☐ Gaps
Can you see gaps around the frame or seals?
☐ Condensation
Are you regularly seeing excessive moisture?
☐ Damage
Are there cracks, broken components or signs of damp?
☐ Adjustment
Does the window appear to need alignment or hardware adjustment?
If you find a problem, it's usually better to deal with it before the coldest part of winter arrives.
Don't Wait Until Winter to Fix Drafty Windows
A few minutes spent checking your windows now can help identify problems before they become a bigger inconvenience.
If a window is difficult to close, has a noticeable draft, or needs adjustment, you don't necessarily need to replace it.
Sometimes the solution is simply the right adjustment or a small repair.
And if you're not comfortable doing the work yourself, you can get someone to help.
Need Help Adjusting Your Windows?
With Helplii, you can post a task when your windows need adjustment, repair or maintenance.
Whether you have one drafty window or several windows that need checking before winter, describe what you need and find someone who can help.
Don't wait for the first cold snap to discover your windows aren't sealing properly.
Post your window adjustment task on Helplii and get your home ready for winter.
Helplii
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