Insulating Windows to Prevent Heat Loss – Advice by Double Glazing Professionals
Windows are a massive culprit when it comes to letting heat escape, accounting for up to 25% of a home’s total heat loss during winter.
As the warm air slips away from single-glazed windows (and even damaged or old double glazed windows), your heating system needs to work overtime to keep your home at your ideal temperature. This uses more energy and raises your bills.
Thankfully, there are ways to protect the environment and your savings from energy loss.
When you insulate your windows, you create a barrier against cold air getting in, which helps maintain a cosy home throughout winter while reducing your energy usage. And even the simplest window insulation methods can transform your living environment and save you quite a bit on your heating costs.
The Cheapest Ways to Insulate Windows for Winter
Window Insulation Film
Window insulation film is one of the most affordable and effective ways to insulate windows for winter.
This plastic shrink film creates an insulating barrier between your window pane and the room. It traps a layer of air to reduce heat transfer.
Better yet, it is easy to apply!
You can apply most kits by sticking the window film to the inside of your window frame using double-sided tape. By using a hairdryer to shrink it, it creates a tight, transparent seal. To remove, use the hairdryer heat to loosen the adhesive, and gently peel from the window.
Window insulation film kits can be bought online or in home appliance stores, and typically cost between £5-15. The kit should cover multiple windows, making it a cheap method to stay warm
One of the best things about clear window kits is that it becomes nearly invisible once properly installed, letting you make the most of the winter sun.
If you do decide to buy window insulation film, make sure to read the instructions fully to ensure it is applied effectively.
Bubble Wrap Insulation
For perhaps the cheapest way to insulate windows, consider bubble wrap!
It works remarkably well in houses, and the application couldn’t be easier.
Just spray water on the window glass, then press the bubble side of the wrap against it. The air bubbles form an effective insulating layer while still allowing light to pass through.
Bubble wrap is very cheap, and with Christmas on the way, you’ve probably got piles of it left over from all that online shopping!
However, we won’t pretend it’s the most attractive solution.
Bubble wrap doubles as a privacy screen and limits light from entering the room. This is why we recommend it for rooms you don’t use as much, as well as basements, or windows that aren’t in your main living spaces.
Weather Sealing Strips and Draft Excluders
Cold air often sneaks in around window frames rather than through the glass itself.
Keep the cold air out with weather sealing strips!
Weather sealing strips are adhesive foam or rubber strips that seal the gaps around windows to stop cold drafts. And they are easy to install.
Clean the surface, measure and cut the strips to size, then apply them around the window frame where you notice drafts.
You can pick up weather sealing strips for approximately £3-£8 per roll, enough to seal multiple windows. For the bottom of windows, fabric tubes filled with insulating material, known as draft excluders, can effectively block cold air. You can always buy draft excluders for your doors to keep your home extra protected.
The best thing about these solutions is that they can greatly reduce drafts and improve insulation without affecting the look or your windows or preventing light from coming into your home.
Thermal Curtains
Thermal curtains feature multiple layers of fabric and often include an acrylic foam layer to provide excellent insulation.
For maximum insulation, thermal curtains should be floor length and should be hung as close to the window as possible. Keep them closed at night to trap heat inside and open them during sunny days to let natural warmth from the sun into your home.
Although they cost more than other options, around £20-60 per window, they can be a worthwhile investment to enhance your insulation and your home decor. After the winter ends, you can pack them up in storage for next year.
Reflective Window Insulation
Reflective window insulation uses foil-faced materials to bounce heat back into the room.
This can be as simple as aluminum foil applied to cardboard and placed behind radiators near windows, or purpose-made reflective panels that fit into window recesses.
This solution costs around £5-£15 and works particularly well for north-facing windows that don’t get direct sunlight.
Although definitely not the prettiest of options, reflection window insulation can be used selectively at night to minimise how it looks whilst maximising heat retention.
Temporary vs Permanent Window Insulation Solutions
Budget friendly window insulation methods work great as a temporary solution for renters or homeowners not ready to invest in permanent upgrades. You can also implement these methods seasonally and remove them when warmer weather arrives.
Looking for maximum insulation?
Consider upgrading to double or triple glazing solutions. Although this can be seen as an investment, the money it can save on your bills, as well as the increase in property value, can make it worthwhile.
Our friendly team at The Advanced Group can walk you through your glazing options and flexible payment plans, helping you make the most of your heating this winter.
Contact The Advanced Group Today
For maximum insulation for your windows and doors, consider professional double glazing.
As Scotland’s leading double and triple glazing provider, we offer an unbeatable range of products and prices to help keep the cold out of your home. Our secondary glazing solutions use advanced technology designed to maximise your comfort, boost energy efficiency, and enhance the security of your property. From sash windows, to casement windows, to tilt-and-turn, we can provide the perfect style for your home.
Keep cold out of your home this winter with The Advanced Group.
For expert advice on how we can help keep your home warm this winter, contact our friendly team today on 0141 473 4141.
