How to Keep Cold Air from Coming Through Windows

Older windows, even some newer windows, can let cold air right into your home. It happens because of cracks, failed seals, and poor insulation. If you’re trying to fix this problem by putting bubble wrap on windows, you can do better. Read on for how to keep cold air from coming through windows.

Bubble Wrap Windows

Adding bubble wrap or saran wrap to your windows does help insulate them, but not very well. And these fixes look sloppy, especially when they have to be done over each year, leaving adhesive marks or chipped paint.

What bubble wrap can’t do, is create dead air space between it and your window. That’s a big reason why double-pane windows insulate better than single-pane, the space between the panes. When trying to keep cold from coming through your windows, you want to add layers – of material AND air.

woman adding bubble wrap windows for insulation

Understand R Value vs. U Value

The way your house feels depends on the make-up of your house: wall and attic insulation, double or single-pane windows. All of these have an R value and a U value that together make the mean radiant room temperature.

R value measures heat resistance and U value measures heat transference. A low U value (transfer of heat) and high R value (resistance to heat transfer) is ideal for high surface temperature. Together, these give us the combined effectiveness of the materials in insulating a room and our perceived temperature.

Mean radiant room temperature expresses the influence of all surface temperatures on comfort. That’s why someone sitting next to a window can be cold while someone across the room is fine. No matter what the thermostat says, if your windows aren’t insulated, you will have a low perceived temperature and comfort level.

How to Keep Cold Air From Coming Through Windows with Inserts

Give up the bubble wrap. To really keep cold air from coming through your windows and increase the perceived temperature, you need to increase insulation. You can add another layer of insulating material and air with window inserts.

Indow window inserts are made with acrylic, which insulates better than glass. They use compression tubing to create a seal around the window frame. This adds an air pocket between the insert and the window for more insulation. Because the insert is on the inside of the house, it raises the surface temperature.

Just one insert can have a huge impact on the mean radiant room temperature. Start with the coldest window

How to Insulate Windows | Indow

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  1. 1

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  2. 2

    Measure your windows with our easy-to-use laser measurement kit. We'll guide you through the simple process, ensuring a perfect fit.

  3. 3

    Customize your inserts to match your needs and your aesthetic, with tubing colors that seamlessly blend into your space.

  4. 4

    Transform your space with custom-crafted inserts shipped directly to your home, ready to fit perfectly in your windows.

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  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    A+++++++++

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    The noise reductiion after installing the Indow Accoustic Inserts is remarkable. Whereas before we would be woken up by the start of commuter traffic at 6 AM, we now sleep soundly intil WE are ready to wake up. The ordering, measuring and installation instructions are very detailed, but if you follow them closely you will have a great finished product. The corners are a little tricky to get just right and it takes a little finagling to achieve the right look. They were packed and protected well enough that even FedEx didn't damage them. I would absolutely use them again.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I bought these bedroom inserts primarily for sound reduction. My house is about a mile from a busy train track and several miles from an interstate highway with an exit close that has trucks braking. These inserts completely eliminated the interstate noise and the train rolling noise, and dropped the train whistle noise to very faint. No more waking up at night and counting trains. I measured carefully and the fit was perfect, and with the blinds open I can't even tell they are there. For info my jam depth allowed approximately 3" gap from the top window pane and 2-1/2" from the bottom and still allowed the use of an inside mounted 1" blind. Using the new compression blinds that install with no brackets allowed that much gap and maximizing the gap distance is important for sound reduction. I also installed jam stops specifically for the Indow insert to get it to the right place.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Our Indowindow inserts arrived thoughtfully packed and quickly shipped. They were easy to install and fit after using the pre-supplied Lazer measurements tool from indow. The fit was perfect and we immediately noticed a huge change in noise levels for the better. I added some brightly colored cord to the d rings incase of fire removal and escape through the window is needed. We are very satisfied with our purchase and we highly recommend Indowindow inserts for noise issues.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We moved into a home right next to a busy highway. The window inserts have allowed us to sleep without wearing earplugs. The difference is dramatic. Please note that the inserts don't reduce noise to 0; this is especially evident with large rock hauling trucks. Even though we still hear noise from these (VERY) loud sources, Indow Window inserts have been able to dramatically reduce the noise to the point of allowing us a normal existence in our home. Thanks Indow!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    These windows are great! They have improved the quality of our home with reduced thermal loss and reduced noise level! The temperature today is 93° outside, our split system is set at 73° and the inside house temperature is 74°! Before the install of these windows the inside temperature with these conditions would have been 76°! Last night I noticed an ambulance going by. Normally the first thing I recognize is the noise, but last night I didn't realize it was an ambulance until I saw the flashing light! Hannah did a wonderful job coordinating the measurements and the sale! I would recommend these windows to anyone!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Excellent product, support, and very clear instructions. We look forward to installing these on all our windows.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I ordered the "acoustic grade inserts" for my bedroom to reduce road noise. They work exactly as advertised. Are they soundproofing? NO. Do they reduce noise to acceptable levels? YES. Compared to other solutions on the market (replacement windows, glass inserts etc) this is much more affordable. However, if you are looking for actual soundproofing, you need to spend more money and get something else. As a bonus, the inserts are tight fitting and have reduced drafts.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We have single pane historic windows in our house in Newport RI. I was looking for a great solution to both temperature and noise. I decided to try the acoustic indow product.

    I am thrilled with the process and the product. James from Indow was super helpful in answering questions. The laser measuring kit was easy to use and gave you confidence in your own measuring ability as it checks your work. The 4 indow products i ordered came well packaged and were easy to put in.

    Finally, the indow inserts look great and work great. We can no longer hear every conversation outside and the birds don't wake us up every morning. My wife didn't even know they were there. They blend in and can't see them unless you look.

    I highly recommend these. More cost effective than custom storm windows, they look better and you can easily install or remove them as you need.

    Fantastic product and service.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    There work perfectly and I can't even tell they are there. My windows look the same but NO noise!!!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Excellent servie and support from start to finish!

    So satisfied with my first purchase, I got more indows!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We installed the windows in our four seasons room We got some 85 degree days recently and the area stayed amazingly cool usually we would have the AC on it was not needed !!!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Indow has established the complete breadth of custom service, from initial enquiry to being very responsive to "after-sales" questions. Ours was and out-of-the ordinary project involving casement windows in a solarium and the end result turned out quite perfectly. Access to information online, instructions arriving with the delivered windows, and answers by phone insured we "enthusiastic amateurs" completed the job to satisfaction.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I am very pleased with my Indow window inserts. I have a very old house and am near a busy road. I wanted to reduce the noise. I've just installed them and find a considerable reduction in traffic noise. They definitely were worth the cost. The measuring process is quite detailed but easy to follow and my inserts fit perfectly in crooked, 265 year old openings. The company representative Hannah Hendrickson

    was very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. I highly recommend the Indow

    company.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I appreciate everything about the whole Indow window process.

    Scheduling and holding a consultation online was easy and seamless. I consultant with KAYA, and he provided a thorough easy-going no pressure to move forward until I was ready consultation.

    Incentives were clearly outlined if I decided to move forward and order to be able to make my inserts even more affordable if I acted in a timely manner with measuring and submitting my order as well as returning the measure kit.

    The Indow inserts arrived within the expected timeframe and installing them was very easy. One of my favorite parts was watching how to install video, because they used humor, and it really held my attention and put me at ease, allowing me to take in all the little details I needed to insert my Indows correctly.

    Within hours, I noticed a temperature shift in the room. It was cooler and more comfortable. The next day when I worked in my office with the Indows the landscaper was across the street with the leaf blower and there was considerable reduction in noise making it a low background buzz instead of a disturbance to the work I was doing. I’ve only had them installed for three weeks and I’ve been so happy with them. It was a great investment for that room in the house that I use for my office.