Are you wearing multiple layers of jackets? Are you shivering even though your heaters are on? Did you securely close all the windows and doors? If your answer is yes, then maybe you have a problem with your house insulation.
Keeping your home warm and cozy will give you and your family members the perfect environment to stay at home and enjoy each other’s company. Aside from that, insulating your windows will help you reduce the money you spend on heating or cooling at home. So if you don’t want to be bothered by cold seeping in the nooks of your house, read this article for life-saving tips on how to cover windows to keep the cold out and more.
Why Do We Need To Insulate Our Windows?
We understand how difficult it is to find your newly rented apartment to be like a prison nightmare in winter. If you’re in this dilemma and do not have enough budget to install a cold-resistant window or to find a new apartment, it’s highly recommended that you focus on window insulation to keep the warmth from leaving your house.
Depending on the status of your windows, you might be losing ten times the amount of heat without you knowing it. Two-thirds of this heat dissipated is loss through conduction and convection, which is affected by your window’s raw material. You can just imagine how much heat is wasted especially if your windows have cracks and open seams.
Once the temperature decreases in your house, you will end up overworking your heater to keep the cold from seeping in. It will make your energy bills higher and will hurt your budget even more.
Fortunately, this article got you covered by providing essential tips on how to minimize heat loss in your lovely home. You just need to make sure there are no cracks and leaks that may lessen the heating effect of your heater. Once this is accomplished, you can enjoy winter with your loved ones in the comfort of your home without worrying about cold and energy bills.
How To Insulate Your Window
You might not know this, but window insulation can be done without breaking your wallet. You just have to know what materials and products to be used in your window panes. Without further ado, here are some ways on how to insulate windows to keep the heat in.
1. Try Using Window Insulation Film.
A window insulation film is another inexpensive and simple solution on how to seal a window from the inside. This film helps keep the warmth by creating barriers between the interior of your house and the windows. You can buy insulation film kits in most hardware, which includes plastic shrink films that you apply in your window frames. Here are ways on how to use this;
- Apply the film on the inner glass of your window frame using double-sided tape.
- Once done applying, heat the film using a hairdryer to smoothen the application and strengthen the hold.
- If you want to peel it away, it’s suggested to pour some rubbing alcohol to prevent the film from peeling the paints on the window or leaving a sticky residue.
2. Insulate Using Bubble Wrap
If you’re also wondering how to insulate drafty windows without spending too much, you might probably be shocked to know that you can use bubble wrap for this purpose. Bubble wrap can also help in keeping the heat in your house if you are ok in seeing your windows a bit tacky. This method is one of the cheapest and hassle-free ways of keeping the cold away from your house. You just need to spray water in the window and put the bubble side of the bubble wrap in the wet window. Tape the edge of it properly, and this will surely keep the heat in. However, one disadvantage is that it may peel away some paint when you remove the tape after.
3. Removable Magnetic Window Insulation.
If you want to know how to seal a window from the inside but still able to open it occasionally during winter, you can check out removable magnetic windows for you. This method utilizes magnets to hold the Insulation vinyl in place, which gives you flexibility to take it off or put it in place when it’s cold.
Here is what you should do to use this method.
- Paint several coats of magnetic paints in the window trim
- Make sure the vinyl that you cut will fit in the window
- Attach the magnetic tape to the vinyl. The tape will hold the vinyl to the paint, and it is still easy to remove anytime you want.
4. Use Window Caulk to Seal Cracks.
Another thing you should watch out to prevent cold from coming inside your house is unsealed cracks on your windows. You can fight off cold by sealing all possible holes and cracks on your window through window caulking. Window caulking is a method of sealing window cracks with a waterproof caulk usually made with one hundred percent silicone or polyurethane. Here are simple steps on how to seal windows with silicone caulk;
- Make sure that the weather is ideal in applying the caulk in your windows. The temperature should be at least 45 °F, and the humidity low to ensure the quality of your window caulking.
- If you apply old caulk before, make sure to remove any trace of used caulk in the window area and make sure that the area is free from any debris when you apply the new caulk.
- Place the caulking material on the caulking gun and apply the mixture carefully to the gaps in a continuous bead. Make sure the amount you put in is enough to fill the gaps in the window.
5. Use Thermal Curtains
The thermal curtains are made with special fabric that helps you to keep the warm air inside in winter and hinder the heat in summer. It can also help to the light and reduce noise coming from outside. You just need to make sure that the curtains can cover the whole window for it to be effective in insulating your house.
6. Rubber Weather Sealing
Rubber sealing is also another way of preventing cold from disrupting your daily life during the cold season. You can do this method by simply cutting the weather sealing strips to fit in the windows. Make sure also to stick it on the inner frame correctly, and you’re done. This method is very affordable and easy to install, but you may need to change it from time to time . If you want to remove it, please remember that it may leave some residue and may chip off your paint.
7. Replacing the Weather Stripping
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There are a lot of ways on how to keep the cold air from coming through windows, and one of those is weather striping. You just need to learn how to add or replace the weather stripping for your doors and windows. Here are different kinds of material you can use to replace or install weather strip.
- Foam Tape – put it on the top and bottoms of your window sashes and door frames. It’s easy to use and budget-friendly so you will not have a headache using this product.
- V-channel – this can be used if you have a double-hung or sliding type of windows. You can use it for a long time and it’s not very visible.
- Felt – this one can also be used in doors, door jams, and window sashes. It’s not costly and easy to use, but the downside is it can only last for a couple of years. You also have to remember not to expose it to water and moisture.
- Door Sweeps – this one is usually made from stainless steel and connected to plastics, vinyl, sponge, or felt brushes. You need to put it at the bottom of all your exterior facing door to apply.
- Draft snakes – if you don’t want to damage your carpet in using door sweep, then you can use draft snakes. You can easily buy it online or make it or do it yourself.
How to Check Leaks and Cracks in the Windows
It is also essential to check for any leaks in your windows and doors to properly insulate your home. It will also save your time and money if you know which windows to repair instead of sealing all of it.
- Feel around the frame during windy days. You will feel the air if there’s any leaks or cracks in the window. If you think there are small leaks, you need to moisten your fingers first so you can feel it. Wet fingers are more sensitive to air current than dry skin.
- Moisture that is trapped in panels or frames means there are leaks. If you found the moisture in the corner or the edges, it means there is a problem in the window seams. If it’s on the middle parts, then there might be cracks in the glass.
- Use light to check around the window frame for possible leaks. The sun needs to shine directly in the window so you can find any problem in the window.
- Smoke tests can also verify if there is a problem in the window. Use the smoke of a candle or incense around the windows. Once the smoke sucks in the frames, that means there is a leak on the part.
Wrapping This Up
Knowing how to cover windows to keep the cold out without breaking the wallet is a life skill crucial for people living in cold areas. It will enable you to enjoy cold seasons without spending too much on installing high-end windows or buying another heater for your room. Make sure to use this information and share it with someone who might need to hear this.