Windows are one of the most essential architectural components of a building which makes them lovely and lively. These windows work differently in different climates. For house situated in colder climate you need windows that keeps the interior warm whereas for the house located in hot climate, you need windows that keeps your interior space cooler compared to the outside climate. Window insulation is the way that can help you to create favorable atmosphere in the interior of house. So, let us know more about how to insulate windows.
What is Window Insulation?
Window insulation is a simple project that can reap huge benefits in form of increasing comfort level and also affecting the energy bills of your house. It is the sturdier barrier between the interior and exterior of your house that will keep your interiors cool in summer and warm in winter. So basically, window insulation reduces the transfer of heat from one side of the window to another side. New top quality windows with appropriate glass may not need much amount of window insulation.
Importance of Window Insulation
There are many advantages of installing insulated windows as stated below:
01. Window Insulation Lowers the Energy
When you go with the window insulation, it becomes difficult for air to escape your home through windows. As a result of this, the HVAC system does not need to work hard, and thus the energy bills will automatically get lower.
02. Window Insulation Reduces Condensation of Interiors
If windows are insulated poorly, then the common problem that arises after some time in form of the condensation will make the window frame to rotten due to mold formed by excess moisture. So, if the windows are insulated properly, the issue of condensation does not arise and eventually the life of window increases.
03. Window Insulation Improves the Comfort Level for Residents
Window insulation will help you in keeping the desired favorable temperature in your house by balancing it through U-Values and SHGC Values depending upon the surrounding environment of house. Also, well insulated windows reduces the noise pollution and needs very less cooling or heating which helps us to create comfortable climate in our house.
04. Window Insulation Improves and Increase the Durability of Windows
Window insulation will improve and increase the durability of a window and it increases the age and life span of window.
Let’s have a glance at various types of window insulation followed by some options that can help in insulating the window.
Types of Window Insulation
As we saw earlier, the need of home window insulation arises mostly to retain the favorable temperature in the interiors and to sound proof the interiors from the external chaos. So let’s have a quick look on these types in brief:
01. Thermal Windows
Whether the temperature is low or high outside, you should feel comfortable in your house with constant and stable temperature. Thermal windows along with providing a stable temperature, it also improves the energy efficiency of the house by limiting the heat flow through window frame and glazing via conduction. So, let’s have a look on various design features of thermal windows.
Design Features of Thermal Windows
Thermal window comprises of design features aiming towards overall heat transfer from one side of window to another side through window frame as well as window glass. Some of the features of thermal windows are listed below:
02. Soundproof Windows
Soundproof windows are the windows that mostly work against the exterior noise through insulating the window that will reduce and absorb the noise. Soundproof windows are capable to block various frequencies of sound. The low frequency sound can have various origins but mostly they are linked with pumps, boilers, some construction site, amplified music, or any other minor noise pollution prevailing in surrounding whereas the high frequency noise origins from sounds of cars, stereo systems of car, barking dogs, lawn movers, leaf blowers, etc. Soundproof windows can block high frequency sound more easily compared to low frequency sound. So, let’s have a brief look how you can soundproof the window.
Soundproofing Window
For blocking the unwanted noise, you can incorporate either one or more than one technical options for soundproof insulation for windows as listed below:
Designing Window Insulation Systems
Before knowing various ways of window insulation, let’s have a look at factors that influences designing window insulation systems.
Factors Influencing Window Insulation Systems
01. Location of Window
Before selecting the perfect window insulation system, check whether the windows are located on the exterior or interior walls. If it is situated on the exterior wall, is it weather protected or exposed to weather? Along with this, the shape, size and elevation of window need to be kept in considerations before selecting window insulation systems.
02. Temperature Conditions
Temperature plays crucial role in selecting appropriate way of window insulation system. Thus, check whether the window is surrounded by normal operating temperature, or extreme temperature, or any fluctuating temperatures.
03. Surrounding Atmospheric Conditions
The surrounding atmospheric conditions also help in selecting type of window insulation systems. Various conditions like humidity, flammable conditions, corrosive atmosphere, acidic conditions, and air flow over the surface to be insulated, etc. can help in selecting appropriate type of window insulating systems.
Best Way to Insulate Windows
01. Use Window Insulation Film
Window insulation film is considered as one of the best and affordable way of insulating windows. It creates an insulating barrier between windows and your interior space without spoiling look of the windows. In this method of window insulation, a plastic film is pressed firmly on the adhesive tape applied on the window frame leaving 1-inch space from its border, and hair dryer on high heat runs over the plastic so that no wrinkles are seen on plastic.
02. Cover Windows with Bubble Wrap
Covering windows with a bubble wrap can insulate a window in a great and cheapest way of insulating windows but it may not have good looks. It is important to note that when you cut the bubble wrap as per the dimension of the window and apply it on the window, the bubble side should face the glass. For better window insulation purpose, you can eve double the bubble wrapping on window.
03. Install Removable Magnetic Window Insulation
If you occasionally open your window, then this removable magnetic window insulation can be a better option. This type of window insulation is similar to insulation film but, magnets are used here to hold insulating vinyl in place instead of tapes. Thus, it can also be easily removed.
04. Add Thermal Curtains to Windows
Just by simply adding thermal curtains to windows of appropriate size (in such a way that it can cover whole window), they can help in insulating the windows. Thermal curtains comprises of special lining that will hold warmer air inside the house during winter and will block the heat during summer. These thermal curtains are either double or triple layered fabric curtains generally made up of materials like cotton, polyester or wool, coated on the frame of window with the help of acrylic foam or a layer of aluminum to protect it from UV damage. As these curtains are thick enough, they are also capable to block light and reduce the noise pollution.
05. Window Caulking
When you have cracks in your window, it is advisable to seal those cracks by using caulk. Window caulking can be done in various ways amongst which Rope caulking is a type of caulking which is bit like silly putty rolled in a larger rope so that you can pull the rope and jam it into the cracks and seal it properly. You can even apply caulk between window frame and siding for window insulation in a better way.
06. Seal Window Gaps with Weather Stripping
If there are some gaps formed in windows, seal the gaps using weather stripping and improve the insulation of window. In this system of window insulation, the weather strip is cut as per the window dimension and by peeling off the adhesive strip, sticking the rubber of strip to cover the window gaps.
07. Use Draft Stoppers
Draft stoppers also known as draft snakes that can be used to seal the gaps on window frames and window sills. In this method, the tube of draft stopper is aligned on window sill along the window frame or in front of window frame. But, the draft stopper can block single draft area on the window.
08. Install Window Insulation Panel
In this system of window insulation, another window frame with weather stripping around its perimeter is mounted in the interior side of the existing window. Here, it is important to make sure the weather stripping should seal the existing window for proper window insulation.
Summing up, thermal insulation is needed even if windows are of good quality and good shape, because extreme temperatures can squash into home through and around the window. We hope this ways of window insulation can help you in selection of window insulation system. If you are interested in knowing more about windows, have a glance at some well explanatory articles:
Home Windows : All you Need to Know
8 Factors to Consider when Choosing Windows
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