Five Easy Ways to Winterize Your Windows
Winter can be brutal on your home or office. Icy winds and frigid air will look for anywhere they can to infiltrate your space. This can make your building drafty and uncomfortable, and also might drive up your utility bill as your furnace works overtime to make up for the heat loss. Many forms of winter window cover can help fight against these drafts and rising utility bills.
Weather can affect many areas of your home, but if you insulate your windows for winter you’ll get the biggest return on investment. Older ones may account for much of the cold air leaking into your building, thanks to worn out seals or cracks in the frames. By taking the time to winterize your windows, you can solve a large portion of the problem and have a warmer, more energy-efficient space.
There are many ways to insulate windows for winter. Here are five popular and effective ways to save some money and keep out the chill:
How to Insulate Window for Winter
1. Weatherstripping: Seal windows for winter with weatherstripping. Whether it comes as strips of foam, rubber tubing or rigid gaskets, these materials serve to create a barrier against the cold air. This is one of the most common methods of weatherproofing windows for winter because it seals the gaps between them and their frames. Depending on how comfortable you are with DIY projects, you may be able to weatherproof your windows fairly quickly. Many types feature self-adhesive backings, fit into place using tension or even attach with magnets. Weatherstripping may change the look of your windows considerably, however. If aesthetics are important to you, it might be worth looking at another option.
Advantages: 1) Cheap 2) Easy to apply 3) Addresses drafty sashes
Disadvantages: 1) Can change aesthetics 2) Doesn’t address cold panes that quickly cool the inside air
2. Caulking: Caulking is another option to seal windows for winter. In some cases, your windows may be old enough that the caulk around them has deteriorated or shrunk. This creates gaps where freezing air could slip inside. If that’s true anywhere around your property, re-caulking could be the way to go. You’ll need to remove the old caulk with a screwdriver, putty knife or another tool before reapplying. It’s also important to choose the compound you use carefully, as not all are suitable for outdoor applications. If you’re experiencing a draft and want to solve the problem right away, however, you may not be able to use this method. That’s because the temperature needs to be higher than 45 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve the best results.
Advantages: 1) Cheap 2) Easy to apply 3) Addresses cracks
Disadvantages: 1) Messy 2) Doesn’t address cold panes that quickly cool the inside air 3) Can damage frame when removing previous winter’s caulk 4) Must apply before weather gets too cold
3. Draft snakes: One of the simplest forms of winter window cover is a draft stopper or “draft snake.” This is nothing more than a long sleeve filled with dense materials such as dry rice. Many people make them at home out of old socks or sweatpants. Draft stoppers may be enough to block a small amount of air from the outside, but they might not be completely effective because they work best laid along the bottom edge of the window. On the plus side, draft snakes are easy and cheap compared to other types of weatherproofing.
Advantages: 1) Cheap 2) Easy to apply 3) Easy to remove 4) Fun designs
Disadvantages: 1) Works well only at the base of the window 2) Doesn’t give airtight seal against
4. Shrink-wrap kits: Found at practically any home improvement store, these DIY kits involve applying plastic around the windows and using a hair dryer to shrink-wrap them. This almost completely seals the entire frame and prevents any air from getting in or out of the room. Many homeowners swear by these kits as the best method for insulating windows for winter. Still, the size of most commercial buildings’ panes makes shrink-wrapping impractical. You’ll also have to wait until spring if you want to open the window without tearing the plastic. These are often used along with weatherstipping and caulking to further insulate windows for winter.
Advantages: 1) Cheap 2) Seals frame
Disadvantages: 1) Unsightly 2) Have to tear it off to open windows 3) Can damage frames when removing 4) Can’t fit all window sizes
When researching how to insulate windows for winter, if you’re only asking what you can put on the windows to keep cold out, or how you can seal cracks, you’re addressing only part of the issue. The fact is cold gets in your home through both the window sashes and the glass. You need a solution that seals the entire frame so neither the sashes or cold glass are affecting the inside air.
5. Window inserts: Also known as interior storm windows, these customized inserts fit snugly into the existing frame. There, they create a near airtight seal that blocks the cold, making them the best way to winterize your windows. Indow® uses proprietary software to design compression-fit inserts that fit virtually any existing window. Our products can be installed without hardware and are almost undetectable. What’s more, they cost less than installing all-new windows. And with an average of 20% savings on energy bills with Indow inserts and a limited lifetime warranty, this is a worthwhile way to insulate your windows.
Advantages: 1) Easy installation 2) Easy removal 3) 99% airtight seal 4) Can also address noise and harmful UV radiation
Disadvantages: 1) Must remove to access windows, but compression tube allows for countless installations and removals
To learn more about our efficient, cost-effective solutions for weatherproofing, get in touch today.
Customer Reviews
4.49 Average 1496 Reviews
Dianne
This is a 5 star company from beginning to end. I purchased the I inserts in 2017 because the bedroom on the second story faced the street. These are very effective for street noise. Noticed a problem on one of the windows recently and they quickly took care of it due to their warranty. Customer service personnel are very helpful. The price of the windows was acceptable for top quality of sleep and less noise during the day
Paula S
From start to finish, we were very pleased with our rep, Reed, and the other staff at the PDX will call! The inserts themselves are stupendous! We purchased six total for the noisiest, road side(s) of our home. The outcome was beyond our expectations! Not only did the three rooms that bordered the road become at least 70% quieter, the other end of our home did as well! I cannot recommend Indow inserts more! The technology makes sense to add the inserts rather than purchasing new windows. Great results and thank you! Paul and Paula Spilsbury
JD
Brian was very helpful & informative. He helped me order the correct windows for my needs. They were shipped with the utmost of care & arrived ahead of schedule. Ultimately, the Indow Windows have been very helpful in muffling unwanted noises & they have helped save on our energy costs. Thank you, Indow Window!
Cynthia M
Very happy with the reduction in noise. Easy to install and use. Great customer service.
Juli E
We are thrilled with our Indow window inserts! I'd been on the lookout for a more permanent solution to leaky windows in our third floor living space. I discovered Indow on social media but since then have learned of friends who'd had Indow recommended to them by their rennovation contractor. The entire process went smoothly with friendly reps at hand to talk through questions during measuring, etc. They fit perfectly and help us to maintain the beautiful design of the windows on our 100 year old home! Highly recommend!!
Jen F
Worth the money!
Elizabeth H
For townhouse living, this solved my problem with noise from my neighbor's with my kitchen window. A considerable decrease of noise indeed! Measurements were a bit frustrating so I recommend using a laser measurement device and following directions to use a string for the diagonal. They look great and were easy to push into place. I highly recommend as an alternative to buying a new window.
Anonymous
Easy to install, and instantly stopped drafts and dampened outside noises very effectively!
Robert C
The process could've been smoother with the sending of the measuring kit. There was a delay with weather in Oregon but then it felt like my kit was still delayed due to other reasons. Most new homes (like mine) have textured paint and it can also be inside your window frames. I measured everything out but I still have little tiny gaps due to the texturing. Not indows problem but just be aware you made need to sand or fill in those gaps yourself to get a perfect seal. I did the acoustic grade inserts and they have reduced some noise but they will not completely block or significantly reduce road noise. This is most apparent with deep or lower frequencies like truck exhausts or modified street racing cars that are quite popular these days. Taking the inserts out to open your windows isn't an easy task. The little metal hook they provide needs to be either bigger or you can attach something to it as a way to leverage yourself. Overall the process was average. I think they're definitely a good option for weatherproofing and some sound reduction depending on the type of windows you have. I would purchase again.
Shelley C
The process for ordering and installing the Indow Widnow inserts was so easy. They sent the measuring information and it had great instructions. The inserts were delivered by UPS was crushed on one corner, but the company had packed them well, so there was no damage. We installed them the same day. It works best if you have two people completing the installation. We felt the results immediately and are glad we spent the money to make our home just a little more efficient.
Barry B
The insert fits like a glove and insulates the window! No more frost and condensation on the interior of the window! Thank you for an easy, effective and attractive fix!
Susan A
The support during the entire process was wonderful, thank you so much for the extra quiet space!
Volodymyr R
Very good good quality. Overall very satisfied with this product and service. Thanks
Jane H
Our home was built in 1913 and has beautiful old wavy glass single-paned windows. I’m so glad we were told about Indows and didn’t have to replace the original windows. We live in Canada but had no difficulty placing the order and were very impressed by how accurately the company met its deadlines, including cross border delivery. The Indows inserts blend in perfectly with our home and the existing window frames. You don’t see them unless you’re actually looking for them. But what we did notice was how much warmer the rooms feel the minute the inserts were installed! I can’t speak to any heating bill savings because they just went in this week, but our home feels much, much cozier. Our contractor who took all the measurements and installed the Indows says: “Excellent instructional videos: clear and informative. Very impressed with the design and the product. Overall, the ease of installation is quite impressive. Working with all the staff at the company was great – everyone was very helpful.” I’m already recommending this company to any of my friends who live in drafty older homes and want to reduce their heating/cooling bills and do some good for the environment.
Anonymous
Don't be afraid of buying an older home with single pane windows. This company has you covered. Their inserts are super high quality and fit well thanks to the laser measuring kit they send. Highly recommended!