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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.

snow covered home kept warm because of winterized windows

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

strip of foam weatherstipping used to seal windows

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

caulk gun used to caulk and insulate windows

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

draft snake used to winterize your windows

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

shrink-wrap kit, caulk gun, and weatherstipping all used to winterize windows

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.

Free Home Checklist for Winter Weatherization

If you are trying to solve how to make your home warm and cozy this winter, it sometimes takes a bit more than just the windows. Our free Winter House Maintenance Checklist gives you the ability to walk around your home and note what items might need attending to prepare your home for cold weather.

Download Winterize Your Home Checklist here.

winter weatherization checklist - free download pdf

Customer Reviews

Excellent

4.49 Average 1479 Reviews

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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!

Posted 5 hours ago

Katie M

We purchased three Indows to reduce drafts and noise in our bedroom, which faces the street. The improvement was immediate. Our house was built in 1958 and although we have exterior storm windows we didn't want to replace the windows outright due to cost and architectural consistency. These were an excellent solution.

Posted 1 day ago

Matthew L

Indow inserts were easy to measure, order and install. They've provided great insulation for old single-pane and stained glass windows in an antique home. We can significantly feel how much better the home holds heat.

Posted 4 days ago

Ellis W

I ordered two Indow inserts for my home. They are doing a great job, entirely happy with them and the ordering process.

Posted 2 weeks ago

Elizabeth W

I can't say enough good things about this product and company. Our house is 101 years old and the sidelites next to our front door are single pane ancient wavy glass which means when it gets very cold (Chicago temps) we can have an inch of frost covering the INSIDE of our windows. I was desperately searching for a solution so our front vestibule was not so cold and a friend recommended Indow. The process could not have been simpler and the temperature difference it has made is off the charts.

Posted 2 weeks ago

Austin T

I have several historic single pane gridwork mullion windows. They're beautiful but have almost no thermal protection. Indows proved to be the perfect solution to preserve these windows while getting the thermal comfort we need. They were easy to install and work perfectly!

Posted 4 weeks ago

Kathryn M

Amazingly easy to install even the safety chain holders. I. Noticed an immediate sound level difference and the room atmosphere became more solid feeling and pleasant. They also gave an insulating feature to the window drafts are non existent! The house is 50ft off a State highway that is heavily traveled in warmer months I'm confident the indows will handle it. I'm very pleased!

Posted 1 month ago

Anonymous

We ordered the acoustic inserts to help with road noise, and we've been sleeping so much better with them!

Posted 1 month ago

Sienna K

We used the windows inserts in our skylight. They are great! They the horrible drafts and noise out and were cost efficient. My only comment would be to provide better measurement and installation instructions for skylights specifically. It took us a lot of guessing and research to measure and install because skylight directions were not provided and the windows install guide doesn't always apply to skylights. Other than that though great product and I would buy again!

Posted 1 month ago

ted t

Our home was built in the late 1800s and we have spent a lot of money over the last 20+years restoring it.We did not want to replace the windows with modern windows because of the cost and originality. But the single pane windows come with a price also. the main reason we purchased the Indow window inserts is because of the condensation on the inside of the windows.We would literally have a take a towel and wipe them down every morning in the winter. There would be a puddle on the sill,and wood and water dont get along to well. SO we looked into the best solution to our problem and found Indow. Was reluctant to spend that much money but am super glad we did!! They have been installed now for over two months and our condensation problem has been virtually eliminated.!!! AND our furnace does not run as much as it did before. Over all it was money well spent!! The process was a little scary at first but they have a simple formula. And our contact person,Reed was awesome. Answered any questions i had and was always available.

Posted 1 month ago

Anonymous

Used to block interior side of a garden window in the the kitchen. Without insert, cold air literally poured into the kitchen making a winter jacket almost mandatory when preparing meals or washing dishes

Posted 1 month ago

Rob S

Highly recommend! The team (Brian) took time to help me figure out the best solution. They were made and delivered faster than expected. It was very rewarding to install them because I could feel the cold air get squeezed out as they went flush against the single pane of glass. Solid quality and great fit.

Posted 1 month ago

Alexa L

My inserts fit beautifully into my 125 year old windows - many of which were 5 feet tall. Easy to unwrap and install. Great product and even better service! I liked the process of measuring the windows with a laser measuring tool which was easy to use and precise. The product came in good condition after shipping across country and was well marked. The customer support was excellent.

Posted 1 month ago

Sarah D

Received our Indow Windows and can tell they are blocking a lot of the noise we could hear. Right now the weather is mild, but hoping to notice a big difference when the summer heats up. Our house is in a historic district and we cannot change our windows. They are very drafty and thin glass. We only ordered two, but we are in the process of ordering for four more. Love that we don’t need to drill holes or anything and they just pop right in.

Posted 2 months ago

Allan F

Every thing arrived in perfect condition, thanks to the very secure packaging. Windows fit as expected, although quite tight. After installation we noticed that the cold drafts were gone and the room felt a lot warmer. We are very satisfied with the product and the result.

Posted 2 months ago