In recent years, the popularity of plastic windows has increased significantly. Despite this, wooden windows are still quite common. Therefore, the question of how to insulate wooden windows for the winter remains relevant to this day. In winter, up to fifty percent of heat is lost through old windows. There are 7 ways to insulate windows for the winter.
Heat transfer mechanisms
There are three main heat transfer mechanisms:
- direct heat transfer (heat conduction) through windows, walls, doors ceiling and floor;
- infrared radiation through window panes;
- convection - heat escapes through porous materials, cracks and cracks.
Traditional insulation methods
If the budget is limited, then we often insulate wooden windows for the winter with improvised materials. A brief overview of budgetary insulation methods:
- If the windows do not close tightly, then use self-adhesive rubber seals of suitable thickness. BuyYou can find them at any hardware store. There are times when the glue does not stick well. In this case, use a hair dryer or fan heater.
- Toilet paper is soaked in water, squeezed out and stuffed into the cracks. Masking tape is glued on top.
- With the help of cotton wool, foam rubber or tow, the joints between the frames and sashes are clogged, after which they are sealed with adhesive tape.
- Relatively cheap, but reliable material - self-adhesive foam rubber, or polyethylene foam. It simultaneously possesses the properties of insulation and adhesive tape. Sold in rolls, like duct tape.
- Slots are covered with plasticine or ordinary window putty. But the method has a big minus - it is difficult to remove them from the window in the spring. This method is used only in extreme cases.
Using heat-saving film
One way to insulate wooden windows for the winter is to use heat-saving film. If in winter condensation and frost appear on the inside of the window glass, this is a sign of low thermal insulation properties. The problem is inherent even in modern double-glazed windows. The film is installed on the inside of the frame, parallel to the glass.
It simultaneously performs two actions: it prevents the loss of heat in the form of infrared radiation and creates a heat-insulating layer of air between the film and glass. It makes it possible to avoid the effect of "weeping windows".
Installation of thermal film is quick and easy. First of all, the frame is cleaned and degreased, and double-sided is glued around the glasses.scotch. Conventional film is sold folded in two layers (before use, the layers are separated).
The film is glued to the adhesive tape so that it covers all the glass. It is pulled on, not paying attention to the wrinkles that have formed. When doing this, make sure that the edges of the film are securely seated and no bubbles form. After that, the hot air of their hair dryer is blown onto the film. Under its influence, it stretches and smoothes.
Window insulation with paper and soap
This method is one of the oldest and rarely used. Paper from newspapers is torn into pieces, moistened in water and all the cracks between the frames are sealed with the resulting mass. Before insulating wooden windows for the winter with your own hands, you should prepare the necessary tools: a knife, a flat screwdriver or a metal ruler. When all the cracks are sealed, strips of paper and adhesive tape are glued over them. You can also use fabric. Strips of paper must first be lubricated with moistened soap, which will allow them to be securely attached to the surface. The method is relatively cheap, but has one serious drawback - it is problematic to remove the paper without damaging the window frames. Windows often have to be repainted.
Window insulation with foam rubber
This type of insulation is similar to the first one. The difference lies only in the material used, that is, foam rubber is taken instead of paper. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the installation technology before insulating wooden windows for the winter. Expert advice is not at all obligatory, since the technique is quite simple, and any errors are easily eliminated.
Strips of foam rubber are sold at any hardware store. Compared to paper, their dismantling is simple. On top of them, you can also stick strips of paper pre-lubricated with soap.
Insulation with polyurethane foam
The best advice on how to insulate windows for the winter, of course, will be given by experts. Using mounting foam is one of the most effective ways. In recent years, it has become widely used both in construction work and in everyday life. All cracks, chips and other defects are blown out with mounting foam. After the cavity is filled with foam, it is allowed to dry. Excess is cut off with an ordinary knife.
When foam is applied outside, all places must be plastered. This must be done because the foam crumbles in the sun and turns into dust. In general, the material is reliable and durable.
How to insulate windows for the winter: instructions and step-by-step technology
The silicone-based method requires more effort than conventional gap filling, but is also the most effective. This is due to the fact that the method allows not only to minimize heat losses, but also to improve the overall sound insulation of windows.
The technology is as follows: glass attachment points are insulated with silicone. First of all, the frames are removed from the hinges and placed on the floor, after which the glazing beads are dismantled. You will need a flathead screwdriver for this, but a knife will do. It's important to be extremebe careful as the glazing beads may break. It is advisable to buy spare parts in advance. After their dismantling, the glass is removed. All work should be carried out with gloves, as there is a high probability of cutting yourself.
The place where the glass was previously located is cleaned of all kinds of contaminants and filled with sealant. At the next stage, the glass is put back, after which the sealant is passed a second time and the glazing beads are hammered back. At the end of the work, the frame is hung back. In parallel with the insulation, it is recommended to repair the frame: remove old paint, fill cracks, and install high-quality constipation. In the question of how to insulate wooden windows for the winter, every little thing plays an important role.
Tip: It's best to use clear sealant as it won't be visible if it gets on the glass.
Fix gaps
Wooden frames often crack when exposed to different temperatures. Before insulating wooden windows for the winter, all these cracks should be sealed.
The following materials are used for this:
- molten paraffin;
- sealant;
- wood putty;
- a mixture of sand and flour in a ratio of one to three.
There are other methods, but they are less common. When using any of them, the windows will have to be repainted.
Insulation of windows along the perimeter of frames
In general, window insulation is the sealing of cracks where the window sashes adjoin the window frame. Joints can be sealed usingrubber tubes with adhesive backing, foam tubes, polyurethane foam and other materials.
One of the most effective ways to place a sealant is to stick it on the window transom along its entire perimeter. When the window is closed, the seal will bend and block the cold air flow from the street. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the frame bends the seal, and does not slide on it.
If the frame is wide enough, then the sealant is glued in several rows. To make it securely fastened, it is nailed along the edges with small nails. This will prevent the material from peeling off. It is important to carefully inspect the frame before insulating windows for the winter. Insulating wooden windows with a sealant can cause them not to close. Therefore, the frame sometimes needs to be hemmed so that the seal does not move the sash forward, as a result of which the window does not rest against the adjacent sash.
This method is most effective when used in conjunction with planting windows on silicone sealant. One of the main advantages of the method is that with the departure of winter, it is not necessary to dismantle the entire seal, so it can be used for several years.
In conclusion
Wooden and plastic windows have their advantages and disadvantages. They differ in their soundproofing and heat-insulating characteristics and require completely different care. In our climatic conditions, the questionwindow insulation still does not lose its relevance, therefore, it requires careful and in-depth consideration.
Having studied the mechanisms of heat transfer from the apartment to the outside, as well as the design features of the building, it is possible to insulate the room with high quality and reliability in the shortest period of time at minimal cost. Windows play perhaps the most important role in this. Therefore, they are engaged in warming in the first place. The article described the main options for how this can be done efficiently and professionally. We hope you find these tips helpful.
