Interesting fact: a single pane of glass can lose nearly 10 times as much heat as the same area of an insulated wall. In the cold winter months, this massive heat loss causes problems not only to your comfort but also to your wallet too! As your heater works overtime to try and keep your interior warm, that precious (and expensive) heat keeps seeping out through the window frames, the seams and the glazing, over and over again. So what can you do? To help you beat the cold and rack up some energy savings, here are 6 ways to insulate your windows.
6 ways to insulate your windows
Insulating windows, a simple and inexpensive project, can reap huge benefits for your comfort level and for your monthly energy bill. Think of it as an upgrade. While insulation can’t transform a bad window into a high-performance window, it can be used to upgrade a single pane glass window to double pane as well as strengthening high-performance windows. Some insulation measures may make more of a difference than others, but all 6 help to keep your home warm throughout the colder seasons!
1. Blinds and curtains
Curtains provide more insulation for your windows than blinds do but if you combine them both, you can benefit from the insulation they provide whilst also being able to control the level of sunlight. In the winter months, curtains do a great job of keeping heat indoors, especially thermal curtains, as they stop the movement of air by creating an effective layer of insulation.
2. Weather sealing strips
To prevent heat loss through the movable parts of your windows, such as the gaps between the sash and the window frame, you can apply temporary insulation called weather sealing strips. Using EPDM, foam or felt stripping, you can cut the product to size and apply them over all the seams and gaps of your windows. Although cheaply available and easy to use, these seals will need to be removed when you want to open your windows in the summer months.
3. Caulk
If you have cracks in the window sash or around the window that are 1/4-inch wide or less, you can insulate these with water-based latex caulk. Caulk is an inexpensive insulating product that is easy to apply, however, you will have to reapply it every year or two as windows are subject to expanding and contracting due to changes in temperature. For extra insulation, caulk can also be applied to the outside of your windows.
4. Window film
Window film is exactly how it sounds: it is a transparent film that is applied to the inside of your windows. Like many insulating products, the film acts as a barrier between the interior of your home and your windows preventing heat loss and the entry of cold air from the outside. Unlike other products, however, window film is an inexpensive yet long term insulation solution that requires zero maintenance and it doesn’t affect the level of sunlight or appearance of your windows.
5. Secondary glazing
If you want a long-term solution to insulate your windows, then the next two products are worth considering if you have the budget. Secondary glazing, much like window film, creates a buffer zone between the interior of your home and your windows where cold air can’t circulate. To install the product, a professional will need to attach the pane of glass with a discreet frame to the inside of your windows and these can be swung or slid open when you want to open your windows. Like window film, the product improves the windows’ thermal performance without affecting the level of sunlight or the appearance of your windows, however, it comes at a cost.
6. Double or triple glazing
Last but not least is double or triple glazing. Much like secondary glazing, double or triple glazing adds layers of glass to your existing windows but they insulate in a far more effective manner. Using two or three panes of glass each with small spaces between them and heat efficient frames, these products trap more air so they insulate better. Limits to this product are the cost of it and if you rent your home as certain listed properties may not have permission to replace their single-glazed windows with modern double glazing.
Beat the cold and save money in the process!
As we said at the start of this article, windows lose so much heat in the cold winter months yet they are so easy to insulate. If you want to increase your comfort and save yourself some money for all the winters to come, insulate your windows using some of the ways above now and never look back!
WE OFFER ONE OF THE WIDEST RANGES OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE ARCHITECTURAL WINDOW FILMS IN THE UK…
If you need any help or advice on what types of window films are best for your house, company or office, don’t hesitate to get in touch; we’d love to help! Applied Products has a large range of specialist window films and as partners with The 3M Company, we can help you transform your room into a comfortable and productive space whilst also making it much more energy-efficient.
Applied Products – [email protected] / 01792 895730
