Insulating Apartment Windows: Tips + Ideas for Renters
Insulating your apartment windows can help make your space more energy-efficient, comfortable, and budget-friendly. But if you’re renting the apartment you’re currently in, you might not want to splurge on expensive solutions for a drafty space that isn’t your forever home.
Thankfully, though, there are a few ways to keep your apartment more energy-efficient with affordable, easy-to-install options available. We’ll break down a few of our favorite ways to insulate apartment windows here.
Why Bother with Insulation?
Whether you’ve just moved into a new apartment or lived in your home for a few years, it’s a good idea to inspect your windows on an annual basis to ensure that they’re providing your space with a well-ventilated and well-insulated environment.
Windows play an important role in protecting the home’s building envelope. To keep the home well-sealed, windows and doors require regular maintenance to stay functional.
Any air leaks in your window design can result in higher utility bills during the winter or summer. They also make it harder to call your apartment your “home sweet home” when you’re never quite comfortable with the temperature.
“If your existing windows are in good condition, taking steps to reduce the energy loss through windows can make your home more comfortable and save you money on energy bills,” according to Energy.gov.
You can inspect the windows and doors to see if there are any leaks or gaps that need attention. “See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weather-stripping them,” suggest experts at Energy.gov.
Options for Insulating Windows
There are a few products and methods that make it easy for anyone to insulate their windows for optimal functionality — even if you have a smaller budget.
Rope Caulking
If you’re in a pinch, rope caulking is a rubber-based rope material that offers a cheap yet effective solution for sealing bigger gaps in windows. There are a few brands of rope caulking out there to choose from. Simply follow the instructions on the product packaging for installation.
Bubble Wrap Insulation
Bubble wrap offers another quick and budget-friendly solution for apartment-dwellers. While it might not be the most stylish strategy for insulation, placing the bubble side of the material against wet glass will add a layer of protection to the windows. “The still layer of air trapped in the bubbles gives a cheap double-glazed-type effect,” scientist Jenny Edwards told ABC Radio.
Thermal Curtains
Thermal curtains feature a special lining that helps trap warm air inside the layers of fabric. They also offer a more aesthetically appealing solution to apartment dwellers. For optimal impact, any curtains you select will need to cover the length and width of the entire window.
Window Inserts
Window inserts are an easy-to-install and more permanent solution for insulation, in which a panel is simply inserted on top of the original window. Window inserts can be a more expensive option than bubble wrap or caulking, but their custom sizes and durable features make them a viable long-term option for insulating apartment windows.
“With any efficiency improvements, take steps to ensure proper installation and check for air leaks again after making the improvement,” suggests Energy.gov.
Simple Solutions for Your Space
There are a few ways that you can improve the comfort and livability of your apartment, and insulating windows is an easy way to help. If you’re after more dependable, long-term solutions, window inserts from Indow offer a few benefits:
- They’re made of durable materials that went through third party testing
- They provide effective insulation to protect older windows from air leaks and moisture.
- They prevent heat transfer in the building envelope.
- The inserts also offer soundproofing from external noise, for a more comfortable indoor environment.
- They are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
We know that you might not be willing to pay for inserts if you are only living in your apartment for a brief period of time. However, you can have a conversation with your landlord to get them onboard. If they invest in Indow inserts, they will be giving their property an upgrade that will benefit future tenants. These inserts can quickly become a selling point for them, which would benefit them in the long run.
If you do plan on staying in your apartment for a long period of time and decide to buy these inserts yourself, you’ll certainly be getting a bang for your buck. Our inserts will provide you with comfort for years to come, and you can order and install them whenever you’d like.
The team of innovators at Indow works hard to create the best and most effective window inserts on the market, improving the performance of windows in apartments, homes, and commercial buildings everywhere.
Our window inserts are available across the U.S. and Canada, and we offer a free estimate to help plan your insulation project.
Customer Reviews
4.49 Average 1491 Reviews
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!
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.
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.
Ellis W
I ordered two Indow inserts for my home. They are doing a great job, entirely happy with them and the ordering process.
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.