How to Keep Cold Air from Coming Through Windows

When the weather starts to cool down, you don’t want to worry about drafts and cold air coming in from the outside. Keep reading to learn seven simple techniques to keep cold air from coming through your windows and what you can do for a more permanent, safer solution.

Seven Ways to Keep Cold Air from Coming Through Windows

Here are seven methods of keeping cold air from coming through your windows and doors.

1. Use Weather Strips

Weather strips are an inexpensive way to seal doors and windows in your home. There are three main types of weather strips: compression, V-type and foam.

Compression weather strips are the most durable for seal-swinging doors and window sashes. V-type weather strips fit against the side of a door or window jam and form a seal to prevent cold air from entering.

Foam weather stripping comes in various sizes with an adhesive backing on one side. While foam weather stripping is the easiest to install, it only lasts one to three years.

2. Install New Door Sweeps

Installing a door sweep along the bottom of an exterior door can block out cold air. To ensure a good fit, measure the length of the door when it’s closed and cut the sweep to the size you need.

There are a variety of door sweeps including heavy-duty, drip-cap, and brush sweeps. Contact a glass and window expert to determine which would be best for your home.

3. Apply Foam Tape

Sticky foam tape is a great weather-proofing alternative for doors and windows that are slightly warped. Cut the tape to size and secure it along areas that have a draft.

4. Insulate with Window Film

Window film looks like saran wrap and does a great job at insulating your windows during the colder months. After placing window film on your windows, heat it with a blow-dryer to shrink it and seal out drafts.

5. Hang Insulated Curtains

While thermal curtains can help retain heat in the winter, they have to be closed for most of the day.

6. Re-Caulk Windows and Doors

Re-caulk old spots along your windows and doors to help seal out drafts. If you won’t open any windows until spring, temporarily seal them shut with caulking and peel it off when the weather starts to get warmer.

7. Use a Door Snake

These weighted fabric tubes are placed at the bottom of your door and prevent cold air from coming through. If you don’t want to buy a door snake, a rolled-up towel will also do the trick.

While these are easy, temporary ways to prevent drafts and keep cold air from coming into your home, consider more permanent solutions, such as installing double-pane windows.

What Are Double-Pane Windows?

Double-pane windows, also known as insulated glass units (IGUs), are known for the air pockets between their panes that diffuse heat transfer and reduce window conductivity, resulting in a better-insulated home.

Single-pane units do not have air pockets, thus allowing heat to pass through the glass more readily.

Double-pane units are not only great for insulation benefits, but they also lower noise pollution and reduce energy costs.

Insulate Your Windows with Glass Doctor

At Glass Doctor ® , we have years of experience installing double-pane windows and keeping cold air out of our customers’ homes. If you want to permanently keep cold air from coming through your windows, install double-pane windows with Glass Doctor. Schedule an appointment today at 855-603-1919.

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Winter is Coming – How to Stop Cold Air Passing Through Your Windows

by Clearview Secondary Glazing

24/09/2018

in Thermal

No Comments

When you’re relaxing on a beach in the peak July sun, it’s easy to forget how cold your home can get through the winter. But as the nights start to draw in and the temperatures drop, now is the time to start thinking about how you can keep your home or commercial property warm in the colder months.

The instinctive reaction is to turn the heating on. However, relying on your heating can be a costly endeavour. That’s especially the case when your property is letting cold air in – and letting the warm air escape.

The first step to making any property warmer in winter is stopping that cold air getting in and improving its heat retention. And your windows play a pivotal role. This post discusses the importance of efficient windows and how to stop cold air getting through your property’s fixtures.

Why windows are so important

Every property has a thermal envelope, which is made up of the walls, roof, floor, doors and windows. While we’re constantly being told about the importance of wall and loft or roof insulation, your windows are an equally important part of the thermal envelope.

Essentially, it’s no use having large parts of your property insulated if your windows aren’t up to scratch. Not only that, windows are actually much quicker, easier and more cost-effective to renovate and improve.

Do I need to replace my windows?

No – we’re not talking about replacing your windows with expensive alternatives. Installing double-glazed or even triple-windows is expensive, disruptive and can sometimes negatively impact the value of your property. In some cases, it might not even provide the best solution for your property.

There are actually several ways to stop cold air coming through your property’s existing windows…

1. Re-sealing

Over time, the caulking or sealing around windows can break down. The result is small breaks or gaps around the window, which let cold air in – not to mention moisture, which can cause further damage.

Your windows can be resealed easily using caulk along the joints. This will seal off any gaps and stop cold air getting through. It’s probably best to get a professional to complete this job, as the old caulk needs to be removed first.

2. Weather strips

Weather strips are a temporary alternative to caulk re-sealing. They are self-adhesive strips, which are applied to the inside of your window’s frame to stop cold air getting through any gaps. Unlike caulk, weather strips can also be used on the moving parts of windows. That way, you get extra insulation when the window is closed, but can still open it when required.

The only downside of weather strips is that they’re not a permanent solution and, when removed, they can leave a residue or cause paint to peel off.

3. Thick curtains

Chances are, your property already has something on the windows. Whether it’s blinds or just some light curtains, they’re useful to control how much light enters the room as well as maintaining privacy. What people commonly forget, however, is that curtains can also be used for heat retention.

If you’re only using light curtains or blinds, you’re missing out on a big insulating layer on your windows. Invest in some thick, lined curtains – or even those specifically designed for thermal efficiency – to keep more warm air in and cold air out.

4. Secondary glazing

You don’t need to affect the appearance of your property and its windows to keep cold air out. Secondary glazing is easily one of the best methods of heat retention for existing windows. Rather than replacing windows, a secondary pane is discreetly installed on the inside.

It works perfectly on heritage properties, where double glazing is not an option as the original windows need to be retained. However, secondary glazing also complements existing double-glazed units for impressive insulation. With a larger gap between the secondary pane and existing windows, there’s a bigger barrier for cold air to pass through.

5. Shutters

Wooden shutters are another option for the inside of your windows. Like curtains, they add another layer of insulation to your windows, making it harder for cold air to get through.

Shutters are particularly effective through the night, when they can be closed without any impact on light. However, they do block out a lot of light in the daytime, meaning they’re not as versatile as solutions like secondary glazing.

6. Draught snakes

You’ve probably seen draught snakes used on doors. They’re a decorative fabric tube that sits at the bottom of the door to stop cold air drifting through. However, they can also be used on windows.

Laying out draught snakes on the window sill will stop draughts coming through your windows without any work or hassle. Even better, they’re available in all kinds of patterns so you can complement the appearance of your home or office.

7. Insulation film

Insulation film is exactly what the name suggests. It’s a film that can be applied to windows to improve their insulation. Simply cut to size, stick the film on your window and apply heat to make it stick to the surface.

While it will improve the heat retention of your windows, insulation film can create a cloudy layer on your windows. So, unlike secondary glazing, it can be noticeable from inside your home or commercial property.

How can we help?

If you’re looking to keep the cold out this winter, secondary glazing is an effective, discreet and long-lasting solution. And it doesn’t have to be stressful. At Clearview, we provide DIY secondary glazing kits for homes and commercial buildings across the UK.

Our kits are supplied fully assembled, pre-drilled and completely installation-ready, so there’s nothing stopping you improving your property’s heat retention.

Discover How To Stop Draughts for Good And Save On Your Energy Bills

This free eGuide – written by specialists – explains in simple terms how to improve the thermal efficiency of your windows by 60% and how you can reduce your yearly heating bill by 15%.

Simply enter your name and email below and we will send a free copy straight to your inbox.

Clearview Secondary Glazing

Clearview secondary glazing — the solution to significantly improved acoustic and heat insulation to your property, making your home or offices more comfortable, secure, greener and cost efficient to run. Achieved without the disruption of replacement windows, and without damaging the character of your building.

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My client wanted a solution to a problem regarding excessive sound being experienced within a large office complex, whilst having conferences and meetings in a large second-floor room with single glazed aluminium windows on two elevations. During my research, I found Clearview to be knowledgeable and very helpful in solving my client’s problem and alternatives with prices to meet the budget available. I was provided quality support throughout the process. The product was delivered on time, as promised with good protective wrapping. The installation was extremely easy, with quality materials and instructions. Once installed, the difference was amazing and whilst showing the client the finished job, a very large articulated lorry being towed by a similarly large tow truck rolled past the conference room within 3 m. The silence was palpable, the client was over the moon and hopefully impressed enough to want this system throughout this large office complex. Watch this space! Many thanks to the Clearview team for making this such an easy process and special thanks to Lianne and Deborah for putting up with my blond moments during the survey and ordering stage. As a shopfitter/office refurbishment specialist, we provide a service and believe that the client is king and by providing a good service the client will happily use us again. Clearview have the same philosophy, sadly there are too many companies who do not. read more

Excellent service form start to finish, we are really happy with our new windows, the house is now much warmer and they have really reduced the noise levels from a near by road. The whole team at Clearview were very professional, the fitters were great and the whole experience was efficient and the windows fitted within a month. I would highly recommend Clearview to anyone looking for secondary glazing. read more

Good quality windows, accoustic glass does the job well. We fitted these ourselves, but the website and customer service team make sure you’ve been informed of everything you need to do to measure correctly and that you’ve chosen the right options for openings. Not the cheapest, but all in all great service, would recommend to anyone. read more

If you have an older house with «special» windows which are struggling to cope with our ever changing weather conditions, I recommend that you seriously consider Secondary Glazing. Have a look at Clearview’s web site first as it is really helpful, then if you are in any doubt speak to them. The Ladies there are even more helpful. Do not rule out fitting them yourself as the quality of the units supplied is first class. The key to it success is in the measurement of the windows you wish to fit. Measure and then check again. I would recommend trying just one first before embarking on a full scale re-fit as it will give you more confidence in the product. I had a condensation problem in my downstairs cloakroom, so I tackled this first. It looked great and it solved the problem. You get expert help, they keep you up to date on delivery (always on time) and the end product is first class, at a fraction of the cost of new glazing. Highly recommended. Geoff Chipping Campden read more

Hi guys, I recently bought some secondary glazing, which arrived on time, 7.00am, just before i went to work..excellent service, Ive just fitted them to my sash windows. They look great,so easy to fit!! Im over the moon with them, I would certainly recommend these windows to anyone.. All you have to do is remember to double check your measurements before ordering. I would say 3,- 4,hrs to fit 7 windows, Ne bother . Thanx once again, Best regards. Syd Carr. P,S. One double glazing company wanted nearly «double» what you guys charge. read more

Great service and excellent product thank you 🙂

Our bedroom overlooks a railway line, so we were primarily looking for acoustic insulation (we’d had secondary glazing in our last home, so knew how effective it was). After some online research, we went with Clearview this time, as their prices are competitive, their online quotation system quick and easy, and – perhaps most importantly – their customer service responsive and helpful. As it happened, here were a couple of glitches (on my part) with measuring and specifying, which Andy at Clearview ironed out for me with no fuss. Once ordered, the product arrived on time, and has proved highly effective at reducing the noise. I actually enjoy watching trains go by in near-silence, and have since ordered a similar unit for our living room, to repeat the experience! I can thoroughly recommend secondary glazing in general, and Clearview in particular. read more

Bought 2 units for our front bedrooms as we are on a noisy main road. Installed them yesterday and the difference in noise is amazing. I went for the 6.4mm laminated glass and positioned the units on the front of the window sill to give maximum gap. read more