Do you want to know how to insulate your windows to keep heat out? Oh, you are in a right place. The good news is that you can design something stronger to separate the outside and inside environment to make your home atmosphere good during summer or winter. As with any project, there are numerous approaches to window insulation, and they can be categorized as simple, complex; otherwise, low and high-tech; or free and costly.
You can easily insulate your windows to keep Summer heat out using some of these methods: Weather strip Your Windows, Use cellular shades for your windows, Insulating shutters, Bubble wrap application, Reflective Window Film, Thermal Curtains, and Energy Efficient Windows. With that in mind let it’s get deeper and find out some information about insulting windows.
What are the Benefits of Insulating Windows?
Curtains look very nice, but they also trap heat, and so let have your insulated glass windows to let in light while keeping our home warm. These boast of having two layers of glass rather than one; this results in a space within the confines of the window. Insulating windows allow light to penetrate while having a better capability to block off the heat or cold.
Windows can actually be more expensive for homes because the allow so much heat in during summer and out in winter. Good window insulation reduces the amount of heat that escapes as well as controls the internal glass temperature. They are also incredibly effective since they reduce the amount of energy required to be used at home.
Besides, well insulated windows is also an excellent heat insulator, they will also serve as a good noise insulators. Once more they are more secure as they are hard to breach as they consist of two layers of glass. They will also enhance your energy bills because they will offer better heat regulation. Additionally, the insulating windows we are going to recommend you to install will add value to your home.
Having stated the benefits of insulating windows, let's now look at how to insulate windows for the summer heat.
How to insulate windows for summer
There is no better time to get a new window than when you want to rectify a situation that brings draughts into your house than to have energy efficient windows. Such windows can provide all the differences ranging from improved temperature regulation to increased home security. We are here to show you how this can be done on your own.
1. Preparations Windows for Insulating
It's reasonable to begin by analyzing the situation. Instead of calling in an energy auditor to inspect your entire home, determine the locations that need major attention for heat gain or heat loss. After that, determine where the heat is either gained or lost. Now, as you consider which windows you plan on insulating, let’s pay some more attention to its type. Last but not least, in making a choice of the insulation method from the options provided below, you should again turn to your goals.
The primary concern here is to regulate temperature, but you have to consider how loud you want the insulation level to be, and what concessions you are willing to make. With that said, we have to be wary of cost and be able to include this parameter of the performance indicators. For example, adoption of high technology in the insulation process will require you to spend more money. After you have made these considerations you will now require to accurately noting down the measurements of the casing, the window panes as well as window frames.
In case you will be fixing your blinds or shade, you will need to find out if you plan on insulating inside the casing or outside of it. But that is okay as having them inside will only prove to be more effective in terms of getting the job done.
2. Treating Your Windows
Use of curtains, shades, and valences can be of great help in regulation of the flow of air around a window or its complete restriction. However, most people’s window covering in their houses does not give the best insulation as they are usually placed with appearance as the main focus not functionality.
3. Steps and Tools Used for Insulating Windows
Not all DIY projects for insulation are going to follow the same methodology since there are many ways to insulate windows. We have given a few fundamental processes that will be expected of you come what may your approach. As always let us look at some of the equipment you may require when insulating windows for summer.
1. Plastic films
Undoubtedly, it is possible to find window installation kits at the home repair stores or even in the hardware. Normally, window installation kit consists of window films and double sided adhesive tapes. A high reflectivity window film will eliminate some of the heat building up from the sun and also protect against glare and ultraviolet radiation. The UV reflective window film will also permit lights while at the same time reducing penetration of ultra violet rays.
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Around your window frame on both sides, you will have to stick the given double sided tape, then you need to put the window film on the sticky side going to cover your windows. Then have a little opening when putting the film then slide the control rod so the blinds can be easily lowered as well as raised. The other tool which is necessary to complete the process is a hair dryer tool. You will use hot air on the window films and shrink them until they make a good adhesion on the glass without creases.
2. Insulating drapes
Most drape designs are made of thick material, but they are slim enough to create a form fitting coverage. Thus laying nylon or other fabric will confine your room air from circulating in the area where your curtains are hung. You could use Velcro, snaps, staple or weights in order not to leave any gap between the frames of the window and the curtains or between the floor and the windowsill.
3. Insulating window sashes
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As has been seen, because the major heat loss is not through the glass but through the gaps in the window frame and the sashes rattle. Fortunately, you could so effortlessly remove molding within the window using a hammer and a pry bar. Next, remove a piece of foil-faced rigid foam insulation to fit this small gap between the side jamb and the drywall. When that is done apply some maximum expanding polyurethane foam adhesive with a hole at the bottom and top of the window.
4. Weatherstrip
Weatherstripping is easy to go to, approach that can be used during winter or summer. In summer you will be able to prevent hot air from coming into your room and in the winter you will also be able to prevent cold air from coming into your room.
In general, when using this process you won’t be left with a dent on your energy bill. One other nice thing about this method is that there are different types of the weatherstripping to choose from. That way, you can compare and finally choose the insulation material most effective and affordable to you.
To this end, you will first wash the tracks that through which sashes slide in the installation window. If there is paint of any kind on the head dentil strip remove it by shaving off with a knife. After that, if you have installed a weather stripping with channels, then you will have to accurately cut the channels to the size of the car door. That is; fasten the weatherstripping in the channels – either by nailing or sticking – and you are done.
5. Bubble wrap
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Bubble wrap is another great way to insulate a window if a warmer home is an urgent requirement. In this method, it will only be necessary to spray clean panes of glass with the water mist. Then place the side of the bubble of the wrap against the mist windows. The one found in a window film kit could be used, and that is the adhesive tape that was used was an aluminum one.
6. Cellular shades
Cell shades are ideal when you want a good looking methods of covering the windows for summer. They are ideal since they have provided pockets ones that will assist in retaining cool air and simultaneously letting out hot air. This ensures that your room’s temperature does not vary too much or in a very short time; making the method good for either summer or winter.
7. Install removable magnetic window insulation
Magnetic window insulation is highly suitable if you like to open the windows every now and then in the summer or winter. On this one, instead of using tape or magnets to hold the insulating vinyl you can simply install the insulation only during those hot days..
8. Blackout blinds
If it is too hot and you no longer want to receive the sun’s heat, the blackout blinds will be perfect to use as insulators of windows. The blinds will prevent light from gaining access to your room and will in the process maintain the room dark.
9. Caulk
For those interested in options that rank a bit lower in terms of cost, it would be wiser to turn to caulk. Unluckily, all caulk sometimes needs to be reapplied, especially if your window area remains bound to expand or contract. Still, the best about Caulk is that there are three types of caulk for different surfaces.
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Usually, Silicone-based caulk should be applied in areas where there are metal and glass surfaces but it cannot be painted. All-purpose paint-quality caulk is used for parts of the house that you want to paint and the water-based latex caulk for sealing small joints in the window sash or around the window.
10. Insulating Curtains
Another good technique in the insulation process is hanging of insulating curtains on the window. While this is usually a method you have to apply after using caulking or weather stripping, this is very effective.
Also, it is the most straightforward and one of the efficient methods of insulation mostly when using thermal curtains. They are elegant looking and regardless of where you are placing them, they are very efficient when it comes to blocking the outside light. Once again they are adequate in preventing the influx of cold air into your house.
Conclusion
Insulating your windows is relatively cheap as compared to the other methods of increasing the energy ratings on your home. It is a simple do-it-yourself project that can be accomplished by almost anyone with minimal levels of woodworking knowledge in several hours. The incredible thing here is that you could even get insulating kits or curtains from your local home repair shop or a hardware. Furthermore, almost all the methods are have mentioned in this article can be applied during summer and winter.
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