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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  • 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.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    A great product. Excellent fit. Greatly reduced outside noise. Easy to install. Very happy!! Match your frame color to your current frame color and they disappear. So glad I got them.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Well it all starts with customer service. 10 out of 10. Brain McCracken did a great job. The waiting period wasn’t long considering they had to make the window inserts and measuring the window units with the laser was actually fun. Worth every penny!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    They are working great! Very happy with the purchase.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I'm enjoying the units, however will need to wait until next year's colder weather to get a truer feel or read on how well they work - thanks

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    They work very well for my 3 Bedroom windows.easy to install.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I purchased two Indow window inserts for two west-facing bedroom windows. These windows are exposed to the hot afternoon sun, making it difficult to cool the bedroom, and there is considerable outside noise. The Indow inserts work great at reducing the outside noise and keeping my bedroom cooler. I absolutely recommend Indow window inserts.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Very professional from website to delivery and installation was well explained and easy.

    Noise reduction was quite noticeable and sealing from cold just as good if not better.

    Would recommend 100%.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Wonderful product

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    My husband and I can finally sleep all night without being woke up by outside noise! Indows are game changers if you live on a busy road, by a loud industrial business or just want a quieter inside environment. The customer service is pretty amazing too! Thanks Indow group for giving us back great sleep!!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    fit perfect, weny in easyand make a diffrence with noise ,thank norbert

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Easy DIY measuring, and an obvious immediate increase in warmth. Huge difference in a historic home with historic windows.

  • 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    WE just took delivery of the two window inserts we ordered. they both fit perfectly. The most difficult part of the process was me trying to hold the laser measuring device still while taking the diaginal measurment! The Indow team was helpful and the ordering process was catch free. the finished product is just as they described. once installed, you can not even tell that they are there. I will warn you, if you have larger sizes they will come in a pretty large packing crate/box to protect them so be prepared. The only reason for 4 stars insted of 5 is they have just been istalled and we shall see how effective they are at reducing cold air, but they fit so snug that I anticipate they will be very effective. Just in time too, because our area is in a low temp/low wind chill pattern at the moment.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    The Indow I ordered was a perfect fit. It looks great and is an extremely well made product. The ordering process was seamless.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Noise reduction by at least 50%! I cannot hear most car that drives by now. My bedroom is so quiet! Thank you!