Drafty windows on a brand new house

I have a new house that was built in 2005. It has vinyl windows. I have noticed that they are fairly drafty. Especially since I installed some cellular blinds. The draft comes out and around the blind into the room with a cold BREEZE. I am assuming there should not be a draft if they were a good window. Is that correct? What should I do?

Thanks

 

It may not be the windows fault, not all new homes are built by competent professional workers I've painted new homes that have had drafts around the windows. Caulking the trim around the window should help.

 

I tend to agree with mark, although too often the builders grade windows are far below par. When windows are installed, there is always a gap around the framing/window. That is supposed to be insulated or filled to reduce drafts. If the builder ot carpenter cuts corners and does not insulate, you can get drafts.

 

Even the best window will be drafty if it was not installed using "best practices". JustBill makes a good point about guys that cut corners, and you can get drafts even if the installer insulates. As all of us know, fiberglass insulation does not stop air, it only slows it. If there's a 30mph wind, fiberglass won't stop it. Some of the foam products that are on the market are better as stopping air not just slowing it.

You should determine where the draft is coming from by using a smoking incense stick. Is it coming around the window frame / around the trim or is it coming around the sashes / through the window frame and through the weatherstripping?

If you have vinyl siding, something that could be done is to remove the siding around the windows, and apply a peel and stick membrane such as Grave Vycor Plus or Tyvek Straightflash around the perimeter of the nailing flange. This will seal the window to the sheathing and should reduce air infiltration around the window frame.

You could also remove the interior trim and either caulk, or use a door and window foam around the perimeter of the frame. Or as Marksr mentioned, just leaving the trim on and caulking around the window might help. Dap makes a removable caulking (in a tube) that might work well if you wanted to try a couple windows to see if it works.

 

You might be be experiencing natural convection as warm air pass by the cold surface of the window. Use the flame of a match and hold it at the window sill. If the flame flickers, it a draft.....if the flame points up or down (I forget which), it's natural convection.