Quality control

[Water Warrior 2]

Is it a bad sign when a cold wind is blowing the curtains and blinds about and the windows are closed.?? This place was built by idiots.

[Way]

Well you know, if you're gonna live in a lean-to you have to expect those kind of things.... :poke2:

Seriously though, maybe get one of those shrink-fit window kits?

Or there's a product called Seal 'N Peel. It's a removable caulk that you can use to fill in the cracks around the window panes.

http://www.toolsnob.com/pictures/dap_seal_peel.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/18324-Seal-Removable-Caulk-10-1-Ounce/dp/B0002YVNOQ

It's easily removable in Spring. On windows I don't need to see out of, I've used it with 3 foot (1 meter) wide plastic to seal the window. Cut the plastic to size and use a small bit of tape to hold it in position on the window. Hold the plastic up, run a bead on the outside of the frame. Then with the tape helping hold it up you can then press the plastic into the bead. The Seal 'n Peel dries holding the plastic in place and forms an airtight seal. Works pretty good.

[Water Warrior 2]

Window kits are fine but I would have a devil of a time trying to seal a patio sliding window/door 6 feet wide leading out to the balcony. I did try sealing the patio from the inside a couple years ago with very little success.

[Way]

What were you using?

If I may suggest, seeing as it's 6 ft wide, you could support the plastic along the top with small strips of painter's tape to hold the weight of the plastic. Painter's tape is made to be removed so you would probably have to tape it every foot or so. Shrink fit would not work most likely but you could perhaps shrink a small section to create a window so to speak. Or you could build a temporary frame with 1 x 3. Paint them black if you want a more finished look. Divide the opening into two 3 foot widths to make it more manageable. With those kind of leaks, you are throwing money literally out the window.

[alantf]

I don't know how expensive things are in Canada, but could you afford to have a new set of doors made and fitted? That way, the solution would last many years and many winters. Whatever other solution you come up with will have to be repeated every year for the forseable future.

You don't say what the frames are made of (ours are aluminium) but if they're wood, a local carpenter (working after hours) may be able to do an alteration to make them fit properly, for a price that won't break the bank. This is the way we went when we wanted a fitted wardrobe and extra kitchen units fitted, when we moved in. By the time the guy had got his tradesman's discount on the materials, then added his cost, it wasn't much more than if I'd bought the materials and done the jobs myself. It took longer because he could only do the job after he'd finished work for the day, but the financial savings made it worthwhile. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

All good ideas guys. Too cold to do anything on the outside now but will try sealing the patio doors/windows next fall. Spring should be here before I freeze solid. This is a rental apartment and I highly doubt there is much chance of replacing the leaky windows. At least the rain doesn't come in. All in all this is a decent place to live but colder temps/wind make the place very drafty.
Oddly enough the most comfy place I ever lived in was an older mobile home with 3 inch thick outer walls. 60 below F was the coldest I noticed on the outdoor thermometer. I was 50 kms outside of Edmonton Alberta where I worked. After 5 years of commuting everyday it just got to be too much to deal with and moved back to a rental in the city. I sure do miss that big insulated heated garage though.

[Way]

Seal N' Peel is removable, leaves no damage and can be done from the inside. If you have curtains, the plastic won't look too shabby. Unless heat is included in the rent, it wouldn't take long to pay for itself. Up to you of course but I remember having curtains that blow in the wind... not fun at all http://z3.ifrm.com/165/2/0/e428977//e428977.gif