How to Keep Cold Air from Coming Through Windows
Older windows, even some newer windows, can let cold air right into your home. It happens because of cracks, failed seals, and poor insulation. If you’re trying to fix this problem by putting bubble wrap on windows, you can do better. Read on for how to keep cold air from coming through windows.
Bubble Wrap Windows
Adding bubble wrap or saran wrap to your windows does help insulate them, but not very well. And these fixes look sloppy, especially when they have to be done over each year, leaving adhesive marks or chipped paint.
What bubble wrap can’t do, is create dead air space between it and your window. That’s a big reason why double-pane windows insulate better than single-pane, the space between the panes. When trying to keep cold from coming through your windows, you want to add layers – of material AND air.
Understand R Value vs. U Value
The way your house feels depends on the make-up of your house: wall and attic insulation, double or single-pane windows. All of these have an R value and a U value that together make the mean radiant room temperature.
R value measures heat resistance and U value measures heat transference. A low U value (transfer of heat) and high R value (resistance to heat transfer) is ideal for high surface temperature. Together, these give us the combined effectiveness of the materials in insulating a room and our perceived temperature.
Mean radiant room temperature expresses the influence of all surface temperatures on comfort. That’s why someone sitting next to a window can be cold while someone across the room is fine. No matter what the thermostat says, if your windows aren’t insulated, you will have a low perceived temperature and comfort level.
How to Keep Cold Air From Coming Through Windows with Inserts
Give up the bubble wrap. To really keep cold air from coming through your windows and increase the perceived temperature, you need to increase insulation. You can add another layer of insulating material and air with window inserts.
Indow window inserts are made with acrylic, which insulates better than glass. They use compression tubing to create a seal around the window frame. This adds an air pocket between the insert and the window for more insulation. Because the insert is on the inside of the house, it raises the surface temperature.
Just one insert can have a huge impact on the mean radiant room temperature. Start with the coldest window
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Customer Reviews
I'm enjoying the units, however will need to wait until next year's colder weather to get a truer feel or read on how well they work - thanks
They work very well for my 3 Bedroom windows.easy to install.
I purchased two Indow window inserts for two west-facing bedroom windows. These windows are exposed to the hot afternoon sun, making it difficult to cool the bedroom, and there is considerable outside noise. The Indow inserts work great at reducing the outside noise and keeping my bedroom cooler. I absolutely recommend Indow window inserts.
Very professional from website to delivery and installation was well explained and easy. Noise reduction was quite noticeable and sealing from cold just as good if not better. Would recommend 100%.
Wonderful product
My husband and I can finally sleep all night without being woke up by outside noise! Indows are game changers if you live on a busy road, by a loud industrial business or just want a quieter inside environment. The customer service is pretty amazing too! Thanks Indow group for giving us back great sleep!!
fit perfect, weny in easyand make a diffrence with noise ,thank norbert
Easy DIY measuring, and an obvious immediate increase in warmth. Huge difference in a historic home with historic windows.
WE just took delivery of the two window inserts we ordered. they both fit perfectly. The most difficult part of the process was me trying to hold the laser measuring device still while taking the diaginal measurment! The Indow team was helpful and the ordering process was catch free. the finished product is just as they described. once installed, you can not even tell that they are there. I will warn you, if you have larger sizes they will come in a pretty large packing crate/box to protect them so be prepared. The only reason for 4 stars insted of 5 is they have just been istalled and we shall see how effective they are at reducing cold air, but they fit so snug that I anticipate they will be very effective. Just in time too, because our area is in a low temp/low wind chill pattern at the moment.
The Indow I ordered was a perfect fit. It looks great and is an extremely well made product. The ordering process was seamless.
Noise reduction by at least 50%! I cannot hear most car that drives by now. My bedroom is so quiet! Thank you!
Easy to order and install.
Window inserts help with sound since I live facing the street and the highway
This is a 5 star company from beginning to end. I purchased the I inserts in 2017 because the bedroom on the second story faced the street. These are very effective for street noise. Noticed a problem on one of the windows recently and they quickly took care of it due to their warranty. Customer service personnel are very helpful. The price of the windows was acceptable for top quality of sleep and less noise during the day
Recently purchased the acoustic window inserts for a couple of old windows facing a busy street and they've made a huge difference in terms of noise reduction! The measuring process was relatively easy with the laser measuring tool that Indow sent and the windows were delivered faster than expected. Martin was easy to work with and we would highly recommend Indow to those looking for window inserts.