Insulate Your Windows for Winter cheaply and Without Renovation
Do your windows let cold air in? Discover economical and easy-to-install solutions to improve the thermal insulation of your glazing and eliminate drafts.
Recommended Materials
- Adhesive foam or rubber seals
- Thermo-shrinkable glazing film
- Thermal curtains
- Window draft stoppers
- Hair dryer (for the film)
Steps to follow
Step 1
Start by checking the condition of your windows' existing seals. Run your hand along the frame on a windy day or use a lighter flame (if it flickers, there is a leak). If you feel cold air, you need to act. Clean and degrease the frame well with rubbing alcohol before any intervention so that the glue adheres.
Step 2
The fastest and most accessible solution is installing adhesive seals. They exist in foam (cheaper but less durable, change every 2 years) or rubber (E, P or D profile depending on the gap to fill, lifespan 5-8 years). Stick them carefully on the frame (the fixed part) of the window to ensure airtightness when the window is closed.
Step 3
For the glazing itself, especially if it is old single glazing, install a thermo-shrinkable glazing film. It is a transparent plastic film that you stick on the window frame (interior side) with the supplied double-sided tape. By heating it gently with a hair dryer, it tightens, becomes invisible and creates an insulating air layer between the glass and the film, acting like temporary double glazing.
Step 4
Install thick thermal curtains in front of your windows and entrance doors. These curtains have a special lining (often silver or fleece) that blocks cold radiation. Make sure they are wide enough to cover the edges well, but do not cover the radiators located below.
Step 5
Use window or door draft stoppers to block air entries at the threshold. This is particularly useful for doors leading to unheated corridors, the garage or the outside.
Step 6
If you have roller shutter boxes inside, they are often a major source of cold air entry. Open the box and insulate the inside with rock wool or custom-cut polystyrene sheets, being scrupulously careful not to interfere with the shutter winding mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the glazing film reduce brightness ?
Very little. If it is well applied and well tightened with a hair dryer, it is almost invisible and lets light through while blocking some UV rays and especially the cold.
Do these solutions replace double glazing ?
No, let's be clear, nothing beats real high-performance double or triple glazing installed by a pro. But these tips are excellent for tenants who cannot do work or small budgets who want to spend the winter warm.
Precautions
- Do not block ventilation grilles (VMC) located on the windows.
- Clean and degrease surfaces well before sticking seals so they hold all winter.
