How to Insulate Exterior Windows
As the winter months approach, consumers are looking for effective ways to cut their heating bills. One way to do this is to insulate your windows. This will keep the air from seeping out and save you money on heating costs.
- Window flash your replacement windows. If you are having new windows installed in preparation for the upcoming fall and winter season, the best thing to do is place weather-resistant tape against each one as they are being installed. Put it right against the paper that covers the frame. It should be noted that this can only be done during installation of the windows.
- Put bubble wrap on your exterior windows. This is a very inexpensive method. The bubble wrap can be purchased at a packaging supply store. There are two ways to insulate with bubble wrap. The first way is to tape the bubble wrap on the entire outer edge of the window. This is a two-person job because you need someone to hold the wrap while you secure it with the tape. The other method is to bunch the bubble wrap in the screen area between the exterior and interior portion of the window. The insulation will not be as tight, but this is a more aesthetic option than the first method.
- Apply weatherstripping to the windows. You can purchase weather stripping kits at any home improvement store. This will keep the cold air from entering the window and it is very easy to apply.
- Put black-out curtains on your windows. These sheets of plastic adhere directly to the glass without changing the appearance of the window. These type of curtains can be purchased at stores such as Walmart or Target.