Drafty & leaking
window repair in NYC
Restore safety and security without replacing the entire window frame.
Thermal Envelope high-grade weatherstripping eliminates freezing drafts and lowers HVAC costs
Leak Eradication precision interior and exterior caulking stops rainwater intrusion fast
Acoustic Sealing closing structural air gaps significantly reduces loud NYC street noise
$11M Umbrella Coverage strong liability coverage for your NYC property
The mechanics of
air & water infiltration
A compromised building envelope leaks energy and allows moisture damage.
WHY WINDOWS LEAK AIR AND WATER
A window works as a multi-layer barrier system, with weatherstripping, caulk joints, sash seals, and drainage channels all working together to block air and rain. NYC’s climate—freeze-thaw winters, heavy spring rains, and summer heat—wears these components down over time.
Weatherstripping compresses and loses its elasticity. Caulk shrinks and cracks. Weep holes clog with debris.
THE HIDDEN COSTS OF WAITING:
Energy Loss:
Drafty windows lose 25-40% of your heating and cooling through air leakage. Your HVAC system has to work harder to compensate, driving utility costs up by hundreds of dollars per year per unit.
Water Damage That Spreads:
Water leaking through window frames does more than leave stains—it can soak drywall, rot wood sills, and lead to mold behind the walls.
Structural Damage:
Repeated rain leaking through a window frame can rot wood framing, rust steel lintels, and damage masonry. In pre-war buildings, this can lead to brick spalling and lintel failure.
THE BIG APPLE sealing protocol
We diagnose leak paths, restore thermal barriers, and deliver long-term weather-tight performance.
Schedule a site visit
Thermal & moisture diagnostics
Using thermal imaging and pressure testing, we identify exact air-leak locations and moisture entry points. A draft at the window sill requires a different repair than air leaking around the trim—your repair is targeted, not generic.
Surgical seal restoration
For drafty window repair, we remove degraded weatherstripping and install commercial-grade replacements matched to your window type: silicone bulb seals for casements, V-strip bronze for double-hung windows, and EPDM gaskets for sliders. For window leak repair, we remove failed caulk, prep surfaces down to the substrate, and apply architectural-grade polyurethane or silicone. For double-hung windows, we install spring bronze or reinforced foam in precise tolerance gaps.
Drainage & ventilation engineering
We clear weep holes, confirm proper sill slope, and check flashing integration. The result is a window that blocks air and rain while allowing moisture to drain as designed, preventing trapped condensation and rot.Big Apple Window Company at work
More than 2 decades of experience in property maintenance.
Stop the energy loss
See the difference. We eliminated air leaks and rain intrusion while preserving the original windows and architectural details.
BEFORE
AFTER
Engineering specifications & guarantees
We believe in clear specs and straight answers. Compare our materials, safety standards, and coverage with anyone in NYC.
Weatherstripping standards
Commercial-Grade Only. We use Q-Lon foam, Schlegel silicone bulb seals, or spring bronze-never cheap adhesive-backed felt. For drafty windows, we install compression seals rated for 50+ mph wind loads and 100,000+ cycle durability.
Sealant technology
Architectural Polyurethane & Silicone. We use Sikaflex, Tremco Spectrem, or Dow Corning 795 to seal drafty windows-materials designed for 25+year of UV exposure and movement. We do not use acrylic latex that breaks down in a few years.
Warranty protection
2-Year Seal Performance Warranty. If a draft returns or window leaks during rain within 24 months, we come back and repair it. No service charge. No runaround.
Risk management
$11 Million Umbrella Coverage. Your property is backed by strong liability coverage, including full NY Labor Law protection (No “Action Over” exclusions). For co-ops and condos, we coordinate with building management and provide documentation.
EXPERIENCE THE NEW STANDARD
Join 200+ landmark buildings and 10,000+ homeowners.
While we’re on-site
Our technicians are trained to spot façade issues while working on high-rise buildings.
Useful information
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What is a draft from a window-and is it normal to feel one?
A draft from a window is unwanted outside air moving through gaps around the sash, frame, trim, or meeting rails. In NYC, even “good” windows can feel slightly cooler near the glass in winter, but air movement (you can feel it on your hand or with a tissue test) usually indicates an actual leak path. That leak doesn’t just affect comfort-it can raise heating costs and allow moisture to enter your walls over time. If you consistently feel a draft near the window, it’s typically fixable with targeted sealing and alignment work rather than full replacement. If any window is not functioning properly, we recommend flagging it early so it can be addressed before it becomes a bigger repair.
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How do I stop drafts (cold air) coming through my windows?
To fix draft from window openings, the best first step is to identify where the air is entering: between sashes, along the frame, or at the interior trim line. Many “drafty” windows need two things: correct sash alignment (so the window closes tightly) and fresh seals. Professional drafty window repair typically includes replace window weather stripping (especially on double-hung windows), adjusting latches so the sashes compress the seals, and caulking drafty windows where gaps exist between trim and wall. Avoid stuffing random materials into tracks-this can prevent proper closure and cause hardware wear. If you want a durable solution, have a technician diagnose the exact leak path and apply the right combination of weatherstripping and caulk for the window type.
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What is the best way to seal drafty windows-and does insulation film actually work?
The best way to seal drafty windows depends on whether the leak is operational (moving parts) or static (gaps around the frame). For operational leaks, weatherstripping is the primary fix-done correctly, it allows the window to open/close while reducing air leakage. For static gaps, caulk is typically the right approach, especially around trim lines and small cracks. Window insulation film can work as a temporary seasonal measure because it reduces air movement and creates a small insulating air pocket, but it does not correct worn seals, misaligned sashes, or failing hardware. If you’re feeling strong drafts, film can be a short-term patch-professional sealing is the long-term solution.
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My window leaks when it rains-what should I do?
If water leaking through window areas happens during storms, it’s usually failed exterior caulking, gaps around the frame, or blocked drainage holes (weep holes). The key is not to “seal everything shut” blindly – incorrect sealing can trap water inside the assembly and create rot, mold, or interior wall damage. A proper window leaking repair starts with diagnosing the entry point (top of frame, corners, sill, or trim), then repairing the correct layer-exterior sealant lines, frame joints, or interior gaps-without blocking intended drainage. If the leak is active or worsening, schedule service quickly; water intrusion is one of the fastest ways to turn a small fix into a larger restoration project.
