How To Insulate Home Windows

When it comes to your home, you want the best protection possible. To do this we recommend taking these steps inside and outside to insulate your windows. We’ll walk you through these steps starting outside the home and working our way inside.

Step 1

Reseal the window exterior

Step 2

Apply weather-stripping to the interior

Step 3

Consider an insulating window film

Step 4

Utilize window treatments

1. Reseal the Window Exterior

We’re starting with the outside of the home first. The outside of your windows receive exposer to the elements. Starting on the outside is an important first step to insulating your home windows. No matter the type of window you may have windows should always be caulked around the edges with a silicone window caulk. Silicon window caulk is made to contract and expand with change in the temperature and humidity. This allows the caulk to fill in the gaps between your window frame and wall openings to prevent hot or cold air from seeping through.

It’s a good idea to inspect around window edges to see if your windows seal has been compromised. The window sealant can dry, crack, chip, and become damaged over time. Once you begin to see any one of these signs it’s best to reseal the window.

Once you’re ready to move forward with resealing your windows check your local weather to make sure you have a few dry days ahead of you. Caulk needs to set for 24 to 48 hours without getting wet.

First, use a putty knife to scrape any old caulk off of the crease between your window and the exterior wall. Then wipe the crease clean and apply a generous bead of silicone caulk using a caulk gun.

To apply the caulk correctly angle the caulk gun at around a 45-degree angle. Wipe any excess off the frame, and let the caulk dry for the time stated on the product label.

2. Apply Weather-stripping to the Interior

After you’ve completed resealing the exterior windows, it’s time to move inside to apply some additional seal protection. Weather-stripping generally comes in felt or a peel-and-stick foam version. Felt is less expensive but won’t last as long, and foam insulation is more costly upfront but can often save you money down the road.

The purpose of the weather-stripping is to seal any gaps between the sashes and frames. The weather-stripping compresses between the sash and sill to fill any gaps where warm air in the winter or cool air in the summer might be lost.
It’s important to clean the area to which the weather-stripping will be applied and let it dry. Then, you can simply measure your weather-stripping, cut it to length, and peel and stick the strips onto the bottom of the window sash (the lower one) and the top of your upper sash if it is movable. Close and lock the window and check for light or air coming through the filled gap.

3. Consider an Insulating Window Film

Step 3 is to insulate your window from exterior temperatures is applying window insulation film, which often comes in a kit. This film comes in sheets that you can cut and apply to your windows by heating them and letting them shrink over the surface.

This added layer of UV protection helps prevent the sun from heating up your interior space. This film will also reduce heat transfer through the glass, meaning your home will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the cold weather.

Weather-sealing adhesive tap can be purchased usually in a window insulation kit. You will need to apply this tape around all four sides of your windows. You can apply this adhesive tape to the frame, sill, and window trim.

In this next step, it can help to have a partner to assist in getting the film taped as tautly as possible around the window. However, this can be a one-man job if you don’t have another set of hands around. You will want to peel the paper backing off the tape and apply a sheet of the insulating film pre-cut to somewhat larger than the window frame, doing your best to pull the film in all directions as you work so that it is as taut as possible (it will still be a bit lose and wrinkly).

Finally, heat up the film with hot air from a hair dryer, being careful not to get the hair dryer too close to the plastic or hold it in the same location for too long or you may melt the film. The film will shrink and become very taut. Continue until all wrinkles are gone.

After the film has fully adhered to all four sides of the window, you can cut any excess plastic off to improve the appearance of the window.

4. Utilize Window Treatments

Finally, adding window treatments such as curtains, drapes, shades, blinds, or shutters that are adapted to your home and décor can do everything from providing light and privacy control to helping keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer without wasting energy.

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The Patriot Guide To Insulating Windows

What is the cheapest way to insulate windows?

The most inexpensive ways to insulate your window are:

Add weather-stripping where the sash meets the window frame. For under $10.00 you can treat multiple windows.
Re-caulking around the exterior of your windows. Caulk can wear and crack over time so it’s best practice to have the outer exterior of your windows sealed up. You should be able to pick up window caulk and a caulk gun for under $20.00.

The fastest way to insulate your windows.

You guessed it! Weather-stripping.

In most cases when there is a leak it’s from the sash failing to seal with the window sill. The fastest and most efficient way to resolve this type of leak is to apply weather-stripping. This easy peel and stick foam will help you seal up potential leaks.

Best way to keep the cold out.

Window film.

One of the most popular ways to insulate your windows is to apply an insulative window film. Insulative window films are easy to apply and remove once extreme temperatures are no longer a threat.

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We could not be happier with our windows! We had all of the original windows replaced on our 41 year old home and the difference is night and day. The house is so much quieter and it has saved us quite a bit on our electric bill. The install was fast and professional and the crew cleaned up so well it was like they were never here. On top of that, we saved several thousand dollars compared to what other companies wanted to charge for lesser windows with an inferior install. Highly recommended!

If you want top notch, reliable service from a window company, this is the company for you! I’ve installed windows in a previous home and it was a nightmare that played out over several months (missing windows, wrong windows, missing screens, water intrusion). Needless to say, I was hesitant and wary this time around. But, my experience could not have been any better with Patriot Windows. From beginning to end, they did right by me and my husband. So grateful for a job well done!

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How To Insulate Home Windows