Article Summary. Author Info Last Updated: August 24, Part 1. Check the windows before insulating them.
To save time and money, determine which windows need to be sealed instead of sealing them all. If in doubt, you can still insulate a window you aren't sure about. Since many forms of insulation are fairly inexpensive, doing so may ultimately prove more cost-effective than leaving it alone. Wait for a very cold or windy day. Feel around the window frame during the next cold or windy day. If you can feel air coming through the seals, you'll need to insulate the window.
To detect small leaks, you may need to moisten your fingertips before running them along the seams. Wet skin is more sensitive to shifts in air current than dry skin. Look at the windows when it rains. Moisture trapped between panels or in the frame indicates a leak.
When moisture builds up in the corner of the window or along one of its edges, the problem likely lies in the seams.
Moisture that builds up in the middle of the window panel may indicate some type of crack or chip in the glass. Perform a light check. On the next sunny day, look around the edges of the window frame and determine if any light peeks through. This can be a difficult type of check to perform since the sun needs to shine directly on the window. You'll also need to verify that the light you see is coming from beneath the frame instead of the glass itself. Do a smoke test. To check the window regardless of current weather conditions, light a candle or incense stick and hold it around various places around the frame.
Watch the smoke coming from the candle. If it gets sucked into the frame at any given point, there is a leak at that specific point. Part 2. Use foam rubber weather sealing. Trim down self-adhesive weather sealing strips to match the dimensions of your window, then simply stick the strips directly to the inner frame to seal off any spaces along the edges.
This option is fairly inexpensive and easy to apply, but you'll need to replace the strips periodically. When you peel them away, they may leave a residue or cause chips in your paint, so be prepared to touch up the area if you don't plan on immediately applying another strip.
The surfaces must be very clean and very dry or the strips won't stick long. On a cold day, these surfaces will be slightly wet from condensation, so dry them with a hair drier.
To clean them, use fine sand paper or steel wool. Try rope caulk. Rope caulk comes in the form of packaged strips. Use a knife to cut the strips down to match the length of each window seam, then press each strip into its respective seam to seal the area.
Manipulate and press the putty in place using your fingers. If you need to remove the caulk, you can peel it away with your fingers, as well. Apply high-performance sealant. For something a little more durable than rope caulk, use high-performance caulk sealant or low-expansion foam.
You can squeeze caulk into the gaps along the exterior side of your window seam using a caulk gun or apply expansion foam to the same seams using a shooter foam gun.
Apply an even, continuous bead of caulk along the entire exterior seam. You should be able to use it on most building materials. When cured, the sealant should block drafts and moisture, making it resistant to mildew and other fungi. Cured caulk can also be painted. When applying expansion foam, test its expanded volume with a small drop placed in the corner of the window. Once you've determined how much it expands, use that knowledge to apply the necessary bead amount around the entire seam.
Make a draft snake for sliding windows and steel casement windows. Sew a simple fabric tube to match the width of the window. Fill it with dried rice or polyester stuffing, then place it along the bottom of your window inside your home.
You can also purchase draft snakes or draft snake kits online and at some superstores or department stores. Foam-and-fabric draft snake kits will allow you to customize the snake to fit the length of your windowsill; simply cut the enclosed foam tube down to size and insert it into the washable cover. When making your own draft snake, note that heavier materials denim, corduroy, etc.
The pleated-type shades that are vertically opened and closed may look like mini-blinds at first glance when they are open. Yet when they are down and closed, you can see that their cellular construction forms air pockets to help maintain indoor temperatures.
Often used to block the gaps under doors, fabric draft stoppers, also known as draft snakes, can block the gap between the bottom of the window sash and the window frame. Draft snakes have very few downsides since they are so inexpensive and easy to make or buy. Just understand that they block only one of four potential draft points along the perimeter of a window sash.
They are good for soundproofing as well. Prep your window for the film by thoroughly cleaning and drying the window. Use a paint scraper to scrape off bits of paint and grime from the glass. Squeegee the window clean, then dry it with a lint-free cloth. Follow the manufacturer's directions to add window film. Choose the correct caulk for the interior and exterior of your windows for maximum insulation.
Do not caulk over the tiny round or rectangular exterior weep holes that are there for drainage. Remove any old and cracked caulk with a putty knife or screwdriver. Make sure the area is bone dry before caulking. Cut the tip of the caulk tube at a degree angle, insert the tube into the caulk gun, and pull the trigger to apply the material into the crack.
Caulk in one motion rather than with starts and stops; this creates a neat, continuous bead of insulation. If the caulk seems to spill out of the crack, use a putty knife to push it back in. Let the caulk cure for 24 hours. If you are new to caulking, practice the technique on a paper towel before insulating your windows. It will help you develop the pulling motion you need to dispense the caulk into the crack as it comes out of the tube.
Unroll the weatherstripping and begin forcing it into place around the window using your fingers. If you have to force in the weatherstripping a bit more, use a blunt object like a paint stirrer. A sharper item like a putty knife may slice the weatherstripping, but it also may be able to effectively press the material into narrow spaces.
Move slowly and methodically to ensure the weatherstripping is seated well in the gap. Older homes need more insulation around the interior windows. Expanding spray foam can be easier to use than inserting fiberglass batting by hand. Start by removing the trim from around your window by placing a putty knife behind the molding to gently pull it off and expose the big gaps around the frame. Insert the nozzle on the spray foam can deep into the crevice it's probably a few inches deep before you spray.
The foam will begin expanding right away, but it may take hours before it fully expands. Once the foam has fully dried and expanded, replace the molding around the window. It makes a difference in how you hang drapes when they are energy-efficient window treatments.
Drapes should be hung as close to the window as possible and sweep the windowsill or floor. For maximum effectiveness, install the drapes as far up to the ceiling as possible. Seal the drapes at both sides to further minimize heat exchange. Using magnetic or loop tape to seal the sides of the drapes to the wall and overlap panels in the center on the sides may reduce heat loss by up to 25 percent.
When cellular shades are tightly fit against the window, they too can reduce heat loss through windows by 40 percent and reduce unwanted solar heat by up to 80 percent. Draft stoppers can be found premade in home goods or home improvement stores. Exterior storm windows also protect your windows from damage during storms.
Bubble Wrap Bubble wrap may be the cheapest and easiest way to insulate your windows. A normal window pane has an R value of. Bubble wrap will increase the R-value to about 2.
Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Green Living. Cite This!
0コメント