How and how to insulate plastic windows for the winter with your own hands. Insulation of plastic windows for the winter

Insulating windows for the winter is an unchanging ritual that is carried out by owners of wooden frames before the onset of cold weather, which allows you to increase the room temperature by 5-10 degrees and reduce heating losses. There are many ways to insulate windows for the winter, both using special seals and sealants, and using improvised means available back in the days of our great-grandmothers.

Principles of window insulation

The point of insulation is to create the most airtight internal air space between the frames. As you know, air is an excellent heat insulator, provided that it is enclosed in a confined space. This space is the distance between the outer and inner frame. It turns out that in order to insulate the windows, it is necessary to eliminate the cracks that allow cold air flows from the street to penetrate.

When insulating wooden frames, three methods are usually used: using rubber bands, sealing the gaps between the frames and gluing them with strips of paper, tape or fabric. At the same time, it is not recommended to seal the outer frame with vapor-proof tape - this will lead to strong fogging and, in cold weather, to freezing. Internal frames, on the contrary, are best sealed to prevent moisture from penetrating into the space between the frames.

It is advisable to lay an adsorbent - silica gel - between the frames, Activated carbon, soda or salt. To prevent them from spoiling the appearance of the windows, they are placed in small bags of white paper. However, in a city apartment with normal humidity you can do without an adsorbent. If the humidity is high, it is better to donate appearance windows: moisture, condensing on the glass, flows onto wooden frames, as a result of which the paint peels off and the frames begin to rot.

Before you begin insulating the windows and frames, you need to wash and wipe dry, check for large cracks, as well as the tightness of the glass. Poorly secured glass not only allows cold air to pass through, but also rattles in the wind. If necessary, the glass can be strengthened; how to do this is described below.

Glass repair and sealing

It happens that even insulated frames do not protect the apartment from drafts, and most often the problem lies in poorly secured glass. Previously, glass was placed in frames on window putty, which looked like dirty gray frozen plasticine. Over time, due to changes in temperature and humidity, the putty begins to dry out and crumble, and after a few years or decades there is none left at all. At the same time, the glass begins to rattle, and large gaps appear between them and the frame. Silicone sealant will help correct the situation.

Repair and insulation technology:

Assess the condition of the glazing beads - the slats that hold the glass in the frame. If they are rotten, wobbly and crumble, it is better to immediately buy new ones in the required quantity.
Carefully pry up the glazing beads and pull them out along with the nails. Take out the glass.
Clean the frame from any remnants of old putty and excess paint in the area where the glass is installed.
Remove any remaining putty from the glass using an alkaline solution such as soda ash. It is not recommended to scrape the glass with a knife; this will leave scratches that cannot be removed.
The frames are wiped dry and coated around the perimeter with transparent silicone sealant, after which the glass is installed.
The glazing beads are nailed into place using window nails. This must be done very carefully, trying not to squeeze the glass, otherwise it will crack if the temperature changes.
The remaining cracks are also coated with sealant, removing excess with a damp cloth. Allow it to dry for 2-4 hours. After this, the windows are wiped using a window cleaner and the insulation of the frames begins.

Materials for insulating windows are sold in hardware stores; they are a narrow sealing tape with an adhesive layer of foam rubber or soft polymer. Sealing tapes made of polymeric materials can be used for several years, and you can open windows and wash them without removing the tape. Foam insulation gets wet when exposed to water, so it is best to remove it annually.

How to glue sealing tape? This process is very simple: a seal is glued around the perimeter of the open window sash using an adhesive layer applied to it, after which the frames are carefully closed with latches. This is done with both external and internal frames; if there are large gaps, the windows can be additionally glued from the inside masking tape- It is also sold in hardware stores.

Insulation of windows with large gaps

If the frames are too old or severely warped, they may have huge gaps that cannot be sealed with sealing tape. In this case, you will have to caulk the cracks with cotton wool, foam rubber, rags or paper, or putty them with special mixtures. This is done like this:

Insulating windows using putty

A more radical method, which allows high-quality insulation not only of windows, but also cracks in window sills, is to use building mixtures. For this purpose, you can use adhesive-based putties, a solution of alabaster mixed with chalk in a 1:1 ratio, as well as window sealants.

The selected mixture is applied into the cracks using a metal spatula, leveled and left until completely dry. It should be remembered that removing such putties can lead to paint peeling, so this method must be used carefully. However, it is very effective for old frames that are soon to be replaced - insulate them with sealing tape often impossible, and putties and alabaster mortar perfectly seal the space between the frames.

You can also use moisture-resistant sealants for exterior use, but choose white or colorless ones. The sealant is applied directly from the tube, covering all the cracks, as well as the joints of the glass and frame.

Cardinal method of window insulation

If you don't plan to ever open the window, you can use polyurethane foam. They fill the cracks with it, wait until it expands and hardens, and then cut off the excess with a sharp knife. To avoid yellowing and destruction of the foam, it is coated with ordinary white enamel for exterior use.

In practice, this method is used extremely rarely, and polyurethane foam is usually used for insulation window box, filling in the gaps between her and the walls. This operation is performed at the window installation stage, but if you think that heat loss occurs precisely for this reason, you can open the window sill, window slopes and low tides and foam the window frame.

Video - how to insulate wooden windows for the winter?

As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, you notice a draft moving through your apartment. Placing your hand near the window on a windy night, you find a source of painful coolness. Stop putting up with this and sleep under three blankets! There are many ways to insulate windows. They range from simple to complex, from practically free to quite expensive, from "old-fashioned" methods to modern technologies. In this longread we tried to collect the most effective methods.

Before taking drastic action, let's look at the possible causes of drafts coming from windows. It would seem that wooden windows, due to their material, preserve more heat, and plastic ones - a relatively new achievement of science and technology - are simply designed for heat and sound insulation. Then why can they allow a draft into our house?

Unfortunately, poor-quality window installation is quite common. Sometimes installation company workers who call themselves professionals have a very superficial understanding of the installation of window units.
The second reason may be partly related to the first - an attempt to save on installation plastic windows. Companies often reduce the price by saving on insulation, foam, and the installation itself. Subsequently poor quality windows are much more expensive due to the need to additionally insulate them.
Even if cold air doesn't leak through the gaps, the windows themselves may be to blame, like the old "single-pane" windows that provide only a thin glass barrier between the house and the outdoors, but not cozy warmth.
The skew of the window and the loose fit of the window frame to the wall also threaten heat loss. Sometimes this happens due to deformation of the building, which especially often happens in old wooden houses.

It's wise to start by diagnosing the situation. Determine the most critical places from which the wind blows. Where does the cold come from: from the window sill or window sashes? Maybe the problem is a worn-out seal or poor-quality slopes?

To determine the exact location from which cold air is blowing, you can simply run your hand over the surface of the window unit. If you cannot identify the problem in this way, light a candle or lighter and move it around the frame - the fire is more sensitive to drafts.

Look at the windows when it rains. Moisture accumulated in a certain place will indicate gaps and cracks. When moisture accumulates in the corner of a window or along one of its edges, the problem is likely in the joints. Moisture that accumulates in the middle of the window panel may indicate some type of crack in the glass.

Perhaps the wind is blowing due to a poor-quality seal. Try investing in open window sheet of paper and close the window completely. If the paper pulls out easily as soon as you pull the corner of the sheet, it means that the seal is not pressed well against the frame.

Before you choose an insulation method from among those available, it is worth thinking about the goals of the insulation. It's clear that temperature control is a major concern, but what compromises are you willing to make? Will you be able to refuse in favor of cheapness? beautiful view, limit the flow of light or block access to a window?

You also need to consider cost. Some materials cost almost nothing: say, sealant can be bought for a couple of hundred rubles. More reliable and durable solutions will cost more and may require specialist help, but in the long term they may be a worthy investment.

Should I ask for help or insulate the windows myself?

To insulate your windows, you basically have only two options: do all the work yourself or turn to a professional. With your own hands, you can simply insulate a window sill, frame contour, window opening indoors, or replace the seal. If any defect appears during the warranty period, the installer company will have to eliminate all problems. In addition, it is worth resorting to the help of installers if external insulation work is required, and the window is located at a significant height - its replacement or renovation work may be associated with an increased risk, and experts know exactly how to properly insulate plastic windows from the outside.

It is worth remembering that it is better to insulate windows before the onset of winter - then the working conditions will be more comfortable. In addition, sealants and some others Construction Materials can only be used in a certain temperature range, otherwise they lose their properties.

How to insulate plastic windows with your own hands

If you need to insulate a window opening, then polyurethane foam will do. As it expands, it fills the voids in the opening and prevents air movement. However, foam is a short-lived material that is susceptible to low temperatures and is suitable for small gaps. Mineral wool, which has thermal and sound insulation, is also a popular insulation material. It is resistant to high temperatures and easy to install.

Carry out insulation window frames Silicone sealant will also help. When working with it, it is best to use an inexpensive tool - a lever syringe. The sealant also blocks moisture, making the windows resistant to mold and mildew. It is also worth choosing a transparent sealant - this way it will not be noticeable if it accidentally gets on the glass.

Before you apply caulk or expansion foam, it's worth checking exactly how much it expands - to determine this, apply a small drop to the corner of the window.

Another “cheap and cheerful” way is to plug up the cracks in the windows technical wool and then seal it with masking tape. Previously, instead of tape, they used fabric or paper strips with a paste made of laundry soap. But when using this option, its fragility is obvious, and it will not completely get rid of blowing.

Good and inexpensive insulation for plastic windows - foam rubber: monetary costs will be minimal. Remove the film from the adhesive surface of the insulation and press the foam rubber insulation for windows into the required places. With the onset of warming it is very easy to remove. However, if moisture gets in, the insulation may lose its seal.

How to insulate the slopes of plastic windows

To insulate the slopes of plastic windows, you can use the most different materials– sandwich panels, plasterboard, polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. However, polystyrene foam is the most fragile of the listed materials and tends to accumulate moisture. If it is necessary to insulate a window from the outside, dry mixtures for finishing slopes will help.

First, you need to carefully treat the cracks - eliminate possible contamination and remove old mounting foam. If you have chosen drywall to insulate the slopes, then the sequence of actions is as follows:

cut blanks from plasterboard required sizes and treat with a moisture-resistant primer, wait until the workpieces dry;
insert plasterboard sheets into the slots;
fill the small gaps left between the drywall and the wall, polyurethane foam;
after the foam has hardened, we finish redecorating primer and paint.

External insulation work is carried out at temperatures up to +5 ° C, otherwise building materials may lose some of their properties.

You can use a special heat-saving film to insulate windows. It lets light into the room and at the same time does not “let it out” infrared radiation. This film not only protects the warmth of our home, but also helps get rid of the “ crying windows", that is, from . Also, windows on which heat-saving film is glued are characterized by greater strength. Before starting work, it is important to wash the glass, treat it with a degreasing agent and wipe it dry. Next, you need to stick the film so that its “metal” side faces the street. The film is glued not only to the glass itself, but also with an overlap to the frame. Some manufacturers make films on a self-adhesive basis, but some types of film require adhesive tape. To prevent bubbles and wrinkles on the film, use a household hair dryer.

A simple and inexpensive life hack that will help cope with drafts is to attach bubble film to the window. Choose film with larger bubbles as it tends to handle cold air better. Trim the bubble wrap so that it extends slightly over the window frame. Spray the window with water from a spray bottle, then “glue” a sheet of cut wrapping film onto the wet glass. You can strengthen it double-sided tape. The “bumpy” side should face the glass. The film should adhere easily and remain in place for several months. If desired, you can apply a double layer of film for better thermal insulation. The only negative is that this method blocks the view from the window, but light will nevertheless enter the room.

Sew plain fabric so that it matches the width of the window. Fill it with some loose, dense substance such as sand, rice or polyester, then place it along the bottom of the window. Heavy materials(denim, corduroy) in this case will retain cold air more effectively than lightweight materials (cotton, knitwear, etc.).

Replace the seal

If the problem is a worn seal, you can replace it yourself by picking up a suitable one at a hardware store. It is also better to choose a black sealant: black is the natural color of rubber, and impurities of other colors can spoil the quality of the product. After the old seal is removed, you need to clean the grooves from dust and dirt, treat the corners of the frame with glue and trim off the excess with scissors. The resulting joint also needs to be treated with glue.

People have been using wooden windows for a very long time, so the question “How to insulate old wooden windows?” there are many answers.

A very old method that our grandparents used was to cover wooden windows with newspapers. They were soaked in water and plugged into cracks. The space between the glass and the frame was sealed with paper strips. Of course, “paper will endure anything,” and you can survive the winter with it, but removing newspaper particles in the spring will be very problematic. In addition to the banal inconvenience, there is also a risk of damaging the window covering.
If old windows need to be insulated quickly, and the aesthetic side of the issue is not very important to you, this is also suitable plain paper. To make paper putty, you can shred old newspapers, soak them in water, add clay or crushed chalk and seal the cracks with the resulting composition. To secure the window putty, simply use tape. However, this method is short-lived and will most likely last only one season.
Foam rubber – regular or tubular – can be used as insulation for wooden windows. It will be effective if the wooden doors have already dried out and do not fit tightly to the frame. Previously, foam rubber was nailed down with small nails, but now you can use regular masking tape. This material can serve faithfully for a couple of years, then it will begin to deform and will need to be replaced.
When insulating wooden windows, you can also use sealant. It is necessary to remove the wooden beads holding the glass using a screwdriver, apply sealant and install the beads back - preferably new ones, since old ones often break during dismantling.
Wood tends to crack. Therefore, the frame is often covered with a net small cracks through which heat can escape. To seal them, you will need to clean the double-glazed windows from decorative covering, fill the cracks with melted paraffin, homemade putty, sealant or special putty, and then cover the frame again with paint or varnish.

It is very important to prevent heat loss from the building. The main leaks occur through the weakest points - windows and doors. The problem with doorways solved by installing two doors or installing a vestibule.

This is not possible with windows. The most popular window fillings - plastic - are able to provide reliable protection, but if the technology is violated or the service life is long, the thermal protection characteristics may decrease. The way out of this situation is to insulate plastic windows.

Choosing the time for insulation

Most materials and technologies require compliance with a certain temperature and humidity regime. Most good choice It will be a warm time of year. Of course there is a disadvantage protective function becomes noticeable only in winter period, but it's better to wait until spring.

The advantages of insulation at positive outside temperatures include:

convenience for the employee;
compliance with the technology of using materials;
no risk of freezing the heating system;
preservation comfortable conditions living in an apartment or house.

It is worth checking the weather forecast in advance and making sure that no rain or strong winds are expected. This will ensure long term insulation services.

Determining the location of the leak

The most weak points Any design always involves joints of the same or different materials.

In the case of window fillings, such details include:

the junction of the glass unit and the profile;
connection of the profile to slopes, walls, window sills;
accessories;
opening points of the valves.

Independently determine the place through which warm air leaves the room in several ways.

The flame reacts to the slightest air movements. The most convenient way is to use a lighter. To find air leaks, the flame is slowly drawn along all weak points of the structure. If fluctuations are noticed, it is necessary to take measures for additional sealing and thermal insulation of the area.
Human skin is able to react to the slightest air movements and temperature changes. Largest quantity receptors are located on the hands. If you run your palm along the perimeter of the profile, you can feel the weak spots. This method is less reliable and is only suitable for testing during the cold season.

Choice of insulation

Once the scale of work and the location of insulation have been determined, you need to think about making the right choice. thermal insulation material. To protect plastic windows, you should choose modern, effective heat insulators. The insulation material can be one of the following.

Foam has good thermal insulation characteristics and relatively low cost. It is important to prevent moisture from getting on it, then it will last long enough.
Extruded polystyrene foam is similar to polystyrene foam, but has greater strength and moisture resistance.
Mineral wool insulation is not afraid of fire, temperature changes and damage by various microorganisms. It is worth remembering that mineral wool absorbs moisture well, and in a damp state its heat-protective characteristics are greatly reduced.
When using polyurethane foam, it is necessary to protect it from severe temperature changes and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Silicone sealant can reliably protect windows from leaks. Construction tape is glued on top of it, which will improve the protective properties. A special sealant is produced for external use; this is important to consider when purchasing the material.
Special transparent window film will reduce heat losses through the glass. In most cases, its use is unjustified, since mass-installed double-glazed windows in most regions of the country it is quite enough.
Can be used as insulation of slopes and walls building mixtures with increased heat-protective characteristics. “Warm” compositions are presented in an assortment on the market facade paints, plaster solutions and primers. They are perfect for insulation window openings outside.

DIY insulation technology

The goal of the work is the tightness of the window filling. For small volumes of sealing in abutment areas, a sealant is ideal. This type of material does not require special knowledge, you just need to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Before you begin carrying out more serious activities yourself, you need to consider the following points:

after insulation with your own hands, the warranty on the window is void;
it is best if the work contractor already has experience in insulation;
Insulating windows from the outside on your own is almost impossible.

It is important to think through the decision beforehand. If in doubt, it is better to consider contacting professional workers. If there is no doubt, work is carried out in the following order:

Dismantling of finishing, slopes, ebb, window sill if necessary.
Removing failed sealant or insulation.
Surface cleaning.
Treating the window sill and slopes with a cleaner to remove grease.
When using polyurethane foam, the surface is moistened with water.
Filling cracks with insulation.
Performing a protective finish (for polyurethane foam plaster will do or putty, for sealant - construction tape).
Insulation of slopes using mineral wool or expanded polystyrene (you can purchase a ready-made insulated slope).
If necessary, insulate the window sill and ebb.
Checking the quality of insulation and finishing if necessary.
Optional heat-saving film sticker on glass.

Polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam are conveniently attached to special glue or polyurethane foam.

Insulation of slopes and window sills

There shouldn't be any problems sealing the cracks. It is worth taking a closer look at the insulation of slopes and window sills.

You can insulate slopes using polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam. The foam is fixed on the outside, and the finishing is done on the inside plasterboard sheets or plastic panels. An additional layer of mineral wool can be laid between the wall and such a panel.

Manufacturers also offer ready-made sandwich panels, which combine both a finishing layer and insulation.

To insulate a window sill from polystyrene foam, cut out the desired shape, which is glued using special glue or polyurethane foam.

How to avoid window fogging

Fogging of a window indicates that it is not working properly as a barrier to cold air. Condensation forms on the surface when the internal glass has low temperature, and the warm air in the room falls on it in the form of moisture. In addition, fogging of windows can be caused high humidity in the room.

In the second case, regular ventilation will be the way out. If the reason is the low temperature of the glass, condensation occurs in the following cases:

insufficient thickness air gap in a double glazed window;
the window sill is too wide, which prevents heat from the radiator from reaching the window;
installation errors.

To prevent windows from fogging, you must choose a trusted installer, do not skimp on double-glazed windows and do not install overly wide window sills. If the problem has already occurred, the solution may be periodic ventilation or the use of a dehumidifier.

Electric heated windows

Glass with electric backing is produced completely transparent. Using an additional heat source will avoid low room temperatures and the appearance of condensation on the translucent surface.

It's no secret that it goes through the windows great amount heat from the premises - this is especially noticeable in winter. Consequently, it is these structures that need protection, and the sooner it is done, the better. Fortunately, similar works You can easily do it yourself, and if you don’t have time for it, just hire specialists. Even our distant ancestors were aware of how to properly seal cracks in window structures - their houses were warm even in severe frost, but little wood was required for heating. However, insulating plastic windows for the winter is somewhat different from the traditional solutions that were popular decades ago; the technologies are different nowadays, and modern approaches to solving problems are also chosen.

We insulate plastic windows

First of all, you should know that when performing insulation, you may need to do it yourself. Such a task can be completed without problems, especially if you take into account the recommendations and tips on the topic. However, first things first. Despite the fact that manufacturers always assure the reliability of their products, even quality window Insulation may be required.

Most cheap way to protect yourself from the cold - cover the opening with some dense material that can retain heat. Previously, for example, blankets were used for this, but today such a solution can only be applied to wooden windows. A modern product for double-glazed windows - a special colorless polyethylene film, which is fixed to your structure. This method guarantees effective insulation making plastic windows with your own hands, you don’t need to dismantle anything when working, which is very convenient.

Blinds and insulation

Some people choose blinds to minimize heat loss through double-glazed windows. are not affected. Important point- if you insulate plastic windows for the winter using this method, you should definitely stick strips on the blinds wool fabric, this is the only way to achieve the desired effect.

Electric glass heating

If cheap options are not satisfied, it’s time to pay attention to an expensive means of insulation - installing a system that will provide electric heating to the windows. Today, you can buy many different heaters specifically for double-glazed windows - they are installed on window sills. There are also special incandescent coils (they are glued directly to the glass). The right way don’t worry about the cold - put it in the apartment metal-plastic window, the design of which consists of at least three glasses. One of them will definitely be energy saving. It is beneficial to use such glass - the heat-saving characteristics of the entire system are significantly increased. If you do repairs and insulation of plastic windows this way, your double-glazed window should have thermal break elements, which should also have metal inserts. The space between the glasses is usually filled with krypton or argon. In general, this is a very expensive solution, but you can forget about drafts and frosts for a long time (of course, if there are no more vulnerable spots in the house).

Why do you need to insulate slopes?

When old wooden windows are replaced with modern plastic, they usually expect excellent protection from various negative factors: dust, noise, cold. Indeed, the PVC profile pays off at first, but then it still begins to let in moisture and cold. This happens due to wall subsidence, as well as depressurization of seams. Of course, this situation will not make your home comfortable, and you will have to insulate the slopes of plastic windows. What is typical is that these works are performed both inside and outside the premises. For everything to go well, you need to install additional thermal insulation and protective layers. For this you need some materials:

extruded polystyrene foam;
Styrofoam;
mineral wool;
isover (fiberglass);
sandwich panels.

These materials are usually sold in the form of slabs. One more question - which one is better to choose if you do the insulation of plastic windows yourself? It all depends on the size of the gaps. For example, if they are at least 0.4 cm, fiberglass is also perfect, the thickness of which is usually in the range of 20-30 mm. When the gap is narrow, choose polyurethane foam or mineral wool.

Plastic windows are not the most difficult task, if you have at least minimal construction skills, there will be no problems.

In what cases is it necessary to insulate slopes?

If the walls in your room are multi-layered and carefully laid with various insulating materials that reach the window frame, insulating plastic windows for the winter is not mandatory procedure(if there were no precedents). This wall structure is reliable protection from freezing. But if they are single-layer or the house is made of panels with stiffening ribs, you will still have to make thermal insulation - there’s nowhere without it. Special thermal liners are placed along the slopes.

How slopes are insulated

The material chosen for thermal insulation is fixed to the surface of the window opening. The seam that is created during installation must be closed, and the window frame must be partially covered. Drywall is installed on top of the material, its surface is first puttied, then painted - to achieve maximum effect. If you use extruded polystyrene foam, it is not necessary to use gypsum board.

Sheets of insulation are glued along the top of the slopes; moreover, they should be secured on top plaster mesh. On her thin layer apply cement-sand mixture, then - produced finishing putty to consolidate the result.

Foam insulation

Another technology that deserves attention if you are insulating plastic windows for the winter is the use of foam plastic. When the frame has already been installed, the opening is plastered using a cement-sand mixture. It is important that the surface is well dried - after that a layer of foam plastic is glued onto it, the thickness of which does not exceed 5 mm. Afterwards everything is puttied and painted. This technique provides excellent protection from cold air - now it will be much more difficult for it to get into living rooms from the street. The window opening is often insulated using expanded polystyrene using the same method, and plaster is applied to it - a very decent result is obtained.

Swedish technology

IN Lately Many people choose Swedish window insulation for their home. The name of this method arose due to the material used in the work. Tubular seal made of silicone rubber - it Swedish made. As the manufacturers say, this material very durable - up to twenty years, while it does not lose performance characteristics even over a wide temperature range. It is not afraid of the effects of paints and dirt.

Performing Swedish window insulation yourself is not the best simple task. You can’t do without professional skills here; you should also have at hand special tool. It is difficult to make a cut around the perimeter with a milling cutter, especially if the result is to get a groove for rolling up the seal - so that over time the material does not peel off or fall out. It is best when specialists insulate plastic windows in your home using this method. The price may vary - it all depends on the region, but the result of the work is worth the money. In addition, the price includes various services: sashes, adjusting the groove for the seal, placing tubular silicone in it, and, if necessary, adjusting the plastic window. Not everyone can do all this with their own hands, only an experienced builder.

When to make adjustments

The insulation of plastic windows for the winter has been completed, now is the time to think about adjustments. When it is necessary?

If the window sash sags (due to this plastic frame touches the sash bottom). You need to adjust the vertical or horizontal plane.
Due to the displacement, the middle sash part touches the frame. To get rid of this, the problematic part is evenly shifted to one side.
When air enters through the seal. In this situation, the sash pressure is simply adjusted.
If the handle is loose. If this problem occurs, turn the plate located at the base, then tighten all the screws.
The handle turns too tight. Setting up is easy - for this purpose use machine oil. Cotton swabs, as well as any brushes, are perfect for lubricating eccentrics, hinges and clamping mechanisms.

It often happens that cold weather comes unexpectedly and sunny days are replaced by chilly wind and rain. Therefore, you should take care of the weather in your home in advance and start with the windows. If you make the right choice when deciding how to seal your windows for the winter, you will be able to retain up to 2/3 of the heat in the room.

Contrary to popular belief that you only need to insulate wooden windows yourself, plastic structures they also often need to improve their heat-saving qualities. This happens if the service life of plastic windows has expired or the structures were installed in violation of technology.

To insulate windows for the winter with your own hands, you need to create the most airtight space between the frames, since the air in closed space, has excellent heat-insulating properties.

To obtain comfortable temperature indoors, you need to eliminate the cracks through which cold air gets inside.

To insulate wooden frames, one (or both) of the following is usually used: traditional ways: gluing sealing gum, sealing cracks with cotton wool, glue and paper strips, fabric or tape. An adsorbent can be placed between the frames - a substance that absorbs moisture, for example, activated carbon, silica gel, soda or salt.

Preliminary preparation of wooden windows

Before starting work, wash and dry the windows, inspect the gaps between the frames and glass. Such cracks appear when the frames dry out and the window putty in which the glass is installed crumbles.

Repair stages

Check the condition of the beads - long wooden slats, with the help of which glass is strengthened in the window frame. It is better to immediately replace rotten and dried elements with new ones.
Remove problematic glazing beads and nails. Take the glass out and clean it of any remaining putty using an alkali solution, such as soda ash diluted in water.
Clean the frames from putty and paint in the places where the glass is inserted, wipe dry and treat with transparent silicone sealant.
When installing the glass, try not to squeeze it. Secure the glazing beads with window nails.
Seal the remaining gaps with the same sealant, let it dry for 2-4 hours and wipe the windows with a special detergent.

How to insulate wooden frames

Wooden window structures are usually insulated using:

Modern profile seal

Window seal profiles

This material is sold in any hardware store and is a tape, with or without an adhesive layer. This seal is also called a tubular profile and is made from the following materials:

foam rubber
rubber
polyvinyl chloride;
polyethylene foam;
polyurethane

More popular are adhesive-based seals. But their downside is that they cannot stick as reliably as their self-adhesive counterparts.

The foam seal absorbs moisture, so it must be replaced annually. The polymer tape does not care about water, which significantly increases its service life.

The seal is easy to use: the tape is glued to the open sash around the perimeter, inside and outside. To eliminate particularly large gaps, you can additionally use masking tape.

The seal for a wooden window is attached around the perimeter of the frame

To glue a seal without an adhesive base, it is best to use a transparent silicone adhesive-sealant.

Available means

The method is suitable for insulating old wooden windows for the winter , as it is designed to eliminate too large gaps . They can be filled with cotton wool, rags, paper or foam rubber. A special putty for wood will also work.

Warming stages:

firmly tamp the cotton wool or other material into the cracks using, for example, a wide screwdriver;
Glue strips of fabric or paper over the material.

Glue for these purposes can be made from soap solution or two components - water and starch. The recipe is simple: pour a heaping tablespoon of starch into one 200 ml glass of water, bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Instead of starch, you can use sifted flour. After cooling the paste, proceed to insulation.

Paraffin can be purchased at any hardware store.

This method was widespread several decades ago among housewives who knew exactly how to insulate wooden windows for the winter, as it made it possible to seal large cracks quickly and at no cost.

The paraffin candle must be melted in a water bath and the hot mixture must be poured into a preheated syringe. By using of this device you need to quickly process all the gaps.

Putties

Insulating windows for the winter with special mixtures or something similar with your own hands is an effective, but radical method. Removing such insulation often damages the paint, so this method Suitable for old windows that you plan to replace soon.

Suitable insulation materials include adhesive putties, a 1:1 solution of alabaster and chalk, and special sealants for window seams. The mixture is applied to the gaps, leveled with a spatula and left until completely dry.

Heat-saving film is an effective way to avoid heat loss

This method is suitable for insulating wooden window structures and PVC windows.

In hardware stores you can find special protective film, which has universal properties - in summer it protects the room from sun rays, and in winter it increases the temperature to 5 degrees.

The material of the required size is glued to the frame beads using double sided tape and blown with air from a hairdryer to even out and add transparency.

Read more about energy saving films for windows

Additional cold bridges

Be sure to check jumpers above the windows, since they are often the place where heat leaks. The lintels are insulated from the outside using alternate application of façade polystyrene foam, reinforcing mixture and plaster.

They can also become conductors of cold slopes. For thermal insulation side surfaces sand, then prime and install PVC panels. If voids have formed inside, you need to fill them with tow or polyurethane foam.

Windowsill, improperly treated with foam, is insulated by attaching a piece of PVC panel under it, adjusted to size. The voids are filled with the same materials as in the case of slopes.

More information about insulating a window sill (plastic or wooden)

How to insulate plastic windows yourself

To improve the thermal insulation qualities of plastic windows, it is imperative to use insulation. This can be traditional mounting foam or a sealant suitable for this purpose:

Polyurethane sealant. Experts consider this material ideal for sealing deep cracks, since the mass, after hardening, increases its volume several times and penetrates far into the depths of the gap.
Silicone sealant. This is the most popular and affordable means of getting rid of unwanted sources of air entering the room. The sealant tightly fills the cracks and is highly elastic, which makes it easy to use.
Acrylic sealant. It is elastic and easy to use - its excess during application can be easily removed, unlike silicone sealant. But this material has one drawback - for a short time operation acrylic sealant changes color from white to gray. This is due to its ability to attract dust and dirt.

When insulating plastic windows, follow the main steps:

Clean the cracks with a stick or brush to remove loose foam or debris.
Carefully go over the slopes, frames and window sills with a degreasing cleaner.
Fill the gaps with foam or caulk, depending on the material chosen.

Let's sum it up

If your budget does not yet allow you to replace old windows with new ones, do not despair. A variety of materials for their insulation will allow you to choose something for yourself based on financial condition and features of the work.

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