One of the most common ways in which heat and cold can enter or escape from your house is through window cleaning. That’s why it’s so important that you insulate your window frames in order to keep your energy costs down.
1 – Window Film Insulation
This is not the same as reflective window film. The window film has a double-sided tape. Use a blow dryer to blow over the film after you have attached it to the window. This ensures that it sticks on tightly.
Pros
It lowers the u-value of the window, meaning greater energy efficiency.
Cons
The film might strip the paint off your window frame when you remove it.
2 – Caulking
Use caulk to fill in window spaces that are smaller than ¼ inch. Use paintable water-based latex caulk in such a case. Otherwise, use silicone-based caulk on glass and metal-based surfaces.
Pros
It’s cheap
Cons
Doesn’t look good if you don’t pain it and you cannot paint silicone caulk. You will need to keep reapplying the caulk from time to time, especially if the window expands and contracts a lot.
3 – Weatherstripping
The fixed parts of the window can be filled with EPDM, foam or felt weatherstripping while the movable parts can be filled in with weatherstripping from time to time.
Pros
Easy to use and doesn’t leave any marks or residue when it’s finally taken off.
Cons
In case you apply it on window parts that are movable, you will not be able to open or close the window installation. To open or close the window, remove the weatherstripping, close or open the window and then apply the weatherstripping again.
4 – Spray Foam
Spray foam is best used if you have large gaps or cracks on the window. This is because it might be more disastrous to get rid of the plaster and drywall to try and fix the problem. Polyurethane is spray foam that expands.
Pros
It makes it easy for you to access areas that you would otherwise not have been able to access by hand. This is because you will use a long nozzle to spray.
Cons
It can be hard to just let it stay in the area that you have sprayed alone. This is because the foam expands and it might overflow to other areas, such as the wall and floor.
5 – Thermal Curtains
These window treatments provide extra insulation. They are available in two forms: side drawn curtains that are thick and vertically drawn pleated drapes. These curtains are much thicker than what’s normally used on regular window repair. They have tie backs that hold them against the wall to prevent air from getting into the house.
Pros
The US Department of Energy has certified such window treatments as being quite effective at providing insulation. To keep the house cool during hot months, use curtains which have white plastic backings.
Cons
The curtains only work when they are drawn. The heavier the drapery, the better. Vertical blinds might not be so effective.