How to seal plastic windows for the winter: can this be done when necessary, what is best to use, how to insulate a double-glazed window with your own hands with film and foam?

Gone are the days when wooden frames with glass were installed everywhere in apartments and houses.
This material is more environmentally friendly, but the glass unit did not have enough tightness. In order to somehow eliminate drafts in the winter and during periods of strong winds, people sealed their windows with different materials.

Today, the vast majority of houses have plastic windows installed - it is convenient, airtight and reliable, as well as affordable. Some owners of such houses still continue to seal the double-glazed windows to maintain high temperatures in the room. To understand whether this is advisable, it is recommended to learn more about the relevance of this event and consumables.

Is it possible to glue it over to insulate it?

You can seal plastic windows, but this procedure does not always make sense, because there are many other ways to insulate a room.
Sealing is one of the most common and cheapest methods of retaining heat indoors.

This method does not require significant funds and time spent, as may be the case with replacing the seal and using other materials to increase the tightness of the window.

Important! It is worth understanding that if you seal a double-glazed window with paper and tape, you will not be able to open it even for ventilation. If you do this, the integrity of the structure of the sealed material will be compromised and the procedure will have to be repeated again.

When is this necessary and when is it not?

Sealing a PVC window makes sense in a situation where a violation of the tightness of the double-glazed window has been discovered. This can happen for several reasons:

violation of double-glazed window installation technology;
shrinkage of a newly built multi-storey building;
worn rubber insulation;
improper installation of window slopes;
low quality glass unit;
the technical characteristics of the double-glazed window do not correspond to the existing climate.

A PVC window can be designed for warm weather, but it is installed in a region where the climate is characterized by colder temperatures and drafts. As a result, the window loses its seal and the room becomes cold.

The most common cause of the problem is a worn seal. If you don't care for it correctly, it can dry out, become thin and crack. The device does not fit tightly to the frame, which causes a leak in the seal.

But there are also situations when sealing windows will be irrelevant. For example, a window is located in a children's room or bedroom, where ventilation must be provided even in the cold season.

If the apartment is too humid and condensation appears on the walls, ventilation is necessary , but with sealed windows this will be impossible. Also, you should not use this particular method if you can resort to using better and more durable materials.

Preparation

Window insulation, no matter how trivial it may sound, begins with washing them. Clean glass has a low level of transparency to infrared radiation. If it is dirty, this parameter increases. Therefore, in order to keep the room warm, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the windows before the onset of cold weather.

For washing, it is recommended to use products that contain ammonia. It has two important properties:

removes grease stains;
leaves no streaks.

The glass and window sill, as well as the frame, should be washed, since it is on it that the putty will be applied and the seals will be glued. If you do this on dirt, the insulation will quickly fall off and you will have to do everything again.

External insulation technology involves the following procedure:

First you need to take care of the slopes. Remains of putty, foam, paint and other materials must be removed from them. Then fill the window cracks with foam. Trim off the excess, install a mesh on the slope and apply plaster. Finally prime and paint. Work can only be carried out at above-zero temperatures;
if the frames are wooden, it is necessary to eliminate the gaps between the window sashes, as well as on all wooden elements. To do this, they need to be painted or varnished.

After the insulation work has been carried out from the outside, you can begin work from the inside of the room. The workflow may differ depending on what material the window is made of (wood or plastic).

Which materials are better?

If the material of the PVC window was chosen of high quality, and the installation was carried out according to all the rules, then for the next 2-3 years after installation there is no need to insulate the structures for the winter. It appears when the windows are not adjusted or a leak in the glass unit is detected. You can seal or cover PVC windows with the following materials for the winter:

construction foam;
Styrofoam;
heat-saving film;
sealant;
foam rubber and tape.

Polyurethane foam

Often used when installing windows and window sills on them. If mistakes are made, then over time the foam dries out, cracks and becomes unusable. Such material is no longer able to provide adequate protection for the window from drafts and in winter it will definitely blow through the room.

Reference. The method is most often used when a leak has been detected in the window sill area - then it is recommended to remove the old material, clean everything and use new one.

Styrofoam

It is also used for sealing PVC windows: it is useful when the tightness of the slopes is broken. This technique allows you to promptly eliminate drafts from cracks on slopes, since after repairs putty is applied on top and a casing is installed.

Heat-saving film

Using heat-saving film is one of the best options today.
This material is transparent, it does not change the optical properties of glass and does not distort. Additionally, the film reflects thermal energy back into the apartment. The film itself contains a thin metal layer, due to which this effect is achieved.

In order not to additionally cover the glass with film, it is recommended to immediately install heat-saving double-glazed windows.

Sealant

Another option is sealant: you can use it to seal all detected cracks around the perimeter of the plastic window.

Note! This method will be relevant only in case of a long-term measure - it will be difficult to remove the sealant from the cracks in the future.

Scotch tape and foam rubber

The most affordable and easiest way to seal a PVC window is to use tape and foam rubber. In this case, the foam rubber will act as insulation, and the tape will act as its fixation. This method is good for wooden frames, since large gaps can actually appear there. In the case of plastic double-glazed windows, this option is applicable only as a last resort.

Self-adhesive window seal

Most owners of old wooden windows prefer this type because of the optimal price/effect combination. The rubber seal is glued to the inside of the window sash. Due to the fact that the seal is hollow, it does not create problems when closing the sash. It adheres well to the frame due to the adhesive strip, which opens when glued. The seal lasts 1-2 years.

Average price : 84-100 rub./roll.

Advantage : longer service life, window operation mode is not affected, aesthetics.

Disadvantages : cost, labor intensity, you can install a low-quality seal (many fakes), the likelihood of the seal coming off the frame.

TOP list of the best materials: manufacturers

Having made a conclusion, you can make a small list of materials and give examples of manufacturers:

Heat-saving film. A good option from the manufacturer Termok: the film is sold both in cut pieces and by the meter.
In popular construction stores you can also find already cut film measuring 150x170 cm.
Application of construction foam. It is better to take foam intended for a special gun - it’s easier to work with it. A good manufacturer is Soudal, which offers foams for both summer and winter use.
Using polystyrene foam. Select a material as thick as the gap in which the seal has broken. A good manufacturer is Knauf.
Sealant. Universal colorless silicone sealant is suitable. For example, the company Tytan.
Foam rubber and tape. In this case, materials from any manufacturer will be suitable. Instead of regular tape, you can use masking tape.

All of the materials listed are common and can be purchased at hardware stores in the city.

How can you seal windows for the winter?

Due to rising prices for electricity and heat, people are beginning to actively cover their windows with whatever they can get their hands on, just to reduce the likelihood of cold air entering the house in the winter. Some use the proven “old-fashioned” method, using soap and paper, while others buy specialized glue designed for plastic windows - there are a lot of options. However, there is a modern method of insulation. And if done correctly, then in cold weather you can raise the room temperature by 5 °C.

Video about the best way to seal windows for the winter

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2b778J371CU

So that a person does not rack his brains about how to seal his windows for the winter, the industry has made for him the maximum number of possible options:

Paper method

The windows are sealed with paper, which is sold in the form of tapes. Any convenient adhesive base is used to carry out this process. For this you can take soap, flour mixture, kefir - whatever comes to hand. But this design in the form of a paper tape, unfortunately, does not retain its capabilities for long and over time allows cold air into the house.

Window tape

Using masking tape to seal windows is the easiest, most economical and most effective way to insulate your home. If you can’t find it on sale, then ordinary household wide tape can successfully replace it. In addition, you will also need cotton wool and a hair dryer. It is used in drying ice. If the place where the tape will be attached is not properly dried, it will instantly peel off. It is better to buy non-sterile cotton wool. At home, during the process, the cotton wool rolls into a bundle, and all existing cracks in the windows are already clogged with it. If they are very narrow, then you can do without cotton wool. Tape is attached to a well-dried window. The better you seal your windows for the winter, the more heat will be retained inside the room.

Sticky foam

Another economical option is pasting with foam rubber on a sticky basis. There are a lot of such insulation in specialized supermarkets, and it is suitable for insulating wooden windows and plastic ones. The sticky foam base can keep the insulation on the window throughout the cold season. The only drawback is the high moisture permeability of the material, due to which its tightness may suffer in the process.

Silicone sealant

Rubberized seal

This is the most reliable and long-lasting option for window coverings for the winter. The only thing is that it will be more expensive in the price range. Before you begin the insulation process, you need to thoroughly wash and dry the surface so that it does not slip off.

These methods will help owners of any type of window increase heat conservation in the room.

What will you need?

To independently carry out the work of sealing a double-glazed window, you will need the following tools and consumables:

construction knife;
scissors;
brushes with stiff bristles;
household vacuum cleaner;
broom and dustpan;
putty knife;
construction or household hair dryer.

These devices are necessary when working with film, foam, and tape. To work with polyurethane foam, you need a special gun into which the cylinder is inserted. You will also need priming compounds, antibacterial impregnations and putty - if you have to partially dismantle the elements.

Construction putty for windows

Allows you to seal the glass seat. First you need to remove the old putty or glazing bead, apply a new compound, level and paint or cover with glazing bead and paint. In this case, the putty is applied in a thinner layer, which reduces its effectiveness.

Approximate cost : 30 rubles/pack.

Advantage : relatively cheap putty, hygroscopic.

Disadvantages : labor-intensive work, the need to periodically renew the putty. Does not allow protection against blowing between the frame and the sash.

How to glue it yourself?

To insulate a double-glazed window with heat-saving film, you must:

Clean the frame well and wipe it with degreaser.
You need to stick double-sided tape around the perimeter of the glass and cut the film into pieces of the required size. The material is applied to the glass so that it completely covers it. The edges of the film should be in close contact with the tape.
The film is heated with a hairdryer, due to which all large wrinkles are smoothed out and the material evenly adheres to the glass.

If the problem is found in the slopes:

First, unnecessary parts are dismantled.
Then the very uneven surface is plastered, and the slopes are treated with a primer.
The old foam must be dismantled.
The required fragment of the slope is cut out of polystyrene foam, glued and pressed.
Then the surface is puttied and the casing is installed.

If there are cracks in the window sill, then use foam:

The old material is disposed of, completely removing its excess.
Then clean the cracks with a brush and apply new foam.
At the final stage, the work site is puttied.

The video explains how to seal and insulate PVC windows with foam and sealant:

And this video explains the method of sealing with adhesive tape:

Paper tape or fabric strip

The fastest way to eliminate a draft. You can’t count on significant insulation, but the work can be done quickly and at minimal cost.

Approximate price : 100-130 rubles/roll, strips of fabric (used material).

Advantages : cheap, high speed;

Disadvantages : minimal efficiency, tape peeling off in a draft.

How to seal windows with soap and paper (toilet) - video

Possible difficulties and errors

The most common mistake is the use of materials that are not intended for gluing PVC structures. For example:

Many apartment owners, trying to save on double-glazed window insulation, use plaster in rolls. This method is absolutely not suitable, since the adhesive base sticks tightly to the frame and spoils its appearance after peeling off.
Another mistake is gluing energy-saving film onto dirty glass. During such work, the material will not smooth out even under the influence of warm air and the entire event will have to be redone from scratch.

Self-adhesive foam for windows

A more technologically advanced way to seal windows and combat drafts. This method is good because it allows you to do without sealing the cracks with paper or fabric strips. Due to the presence of adhesive (adhesive) tape on the foam rubber insulation, it can be glued to the inside of the window sashes.

Approximate cost : 60-75 rub./roll.

Pros : the window can be used as usual.

Cons : after gluing, the insulation can prevent the window from closing; foam insulation is non-hygroscopic and is not protected in any way. If the sashes fit tightly to the frame, you need to either saw down (cut, adjust) part of the wood, or choose other methods of insulation. If the gaps are large, you will have to decide what can be used to seal wooden windows besides this material.

Foam rubber for windows with an adhesive layer (foam rubber seal)

Pros and cons of the method

The method of insulating PVC windows for the winter using gluing has its advantages:

ease of operation;
availability;
execution speed.

But when choosing this option, there are also disadvantages: this method will not always be relevant for plastic double-glazed windows.

On a note. It is better to glue wooden frames, and when installing double-glazed windows made of metal-plastic, it is better to immediately ensure that the window structure is installed according to the rules and without violating the tightness.

Window paper

More precisely, paper putty. This is the cheapest method, since all you need to seal the windows is a selection of old newspapers and water. To increase the effectiveness of the putty, you can add 2 parts of crushed chalk or 1 part of clay to it. The resulting mass is highly plastic, which makes it easy to seal even the smallest cracks. The window can be easily washed off the putty during operation (as long as it remains wet). Insulating windows with paper is an effective way, but only for one season; in addition, a covered window does not make it possible to open the sashes in winter. As the weather gets warmer, the putty is removed from the cracks and the window is washed.

Cost : 0 rub.

Pros : free and simple.

Disadvantages : the need to repeat the work annually, there is no way to open a sealed window, it is not aesthetically pleasing and the presence of additional decor in the form of gluing paper or fabric strips.

Preparatory stage

Before work, be sure to thoroughly rinse the surface of the windows, dry them and soak them in alcohol or gasoline to degrease them. Otherwise, adhesive insulation will not last long. Then dry the window frames again and begin the procedure.

Insulate before the cold weather sets in. This will not only ensure comfortable working conditions, but will also provide suitable humidity and provide the opportunity to immediately perform internal and external insulation. In addition, many materials cannot be worked with in the cold, since at low temperatures they lose their practical properties.

After insulation, the surface also needs to be washed or cleaned. How to clean windows after renovation, read here. And then we will consider various means of sealing windows.

Preventing Heat Loss

Proper installation of window structures, periodic renewal of the sealing gum and the use of additional protective measures help reduce heat losses. If possible, energy-saving double-glazed windows with a thin layer of low-emissivity coating should be installed.

Due to this feature, heat is reflected back into the room, and losses can be reduced by 50%. At the same time, the design does not lose its transparency and appearance.

Windowsill

An incorrectly installed window sill leads to cracks. When performing installation work, it is important to make sure that the window sill is securely fixed in a strictly horizontal position.

Slopes

In most situations, blowing is observed on the slopes of window structures. If the position of the slopes is disturbed, they need to be adjusted to close the gaps that have arisen.

How can you seal windows from the sun?

Everyone has a desire to escape the summer heat - some sit under the air conditioner, some douse themselves with cold water, and some eat ice cream. But to create an acceptable temperature in the house without having an air conditioner, you can stick a film on the window so that the sun's rays cannot penetrate the room.

You can see foil on some people's windows. The opinion that foil glued to the window will save you from the heat is wrong, since it is metallized, which means it only attracts the sun and heats the room more.

Sun protection film has two functions:

From the side of the house it creates a pleasant shadow.
From the street side, it reflects the rays of the sun and the room, accordingly, becomes cooler.

In addition, in this way you can hide from prying eyes, if there are no curtains, and from the sultry sunlight.

How to apply solar film?

This can be done by any person who does not have special skills in this type of activity. To do this job, you will need several tools:

Window surface cleaner.
Spray bottle for water.
Plastic or rubber spatula (whichever is more convenient for you).
A sharp knife for the job.
Film for windows.

First, you should thoroughly wash the window glass on both sides.
Use a spray bottle to spray a homemade solution containing liquid soap and water onto the sticky surface of the film. It is better not to shake it too much, so that a lot of foam does not form. This solution will help you move the product freely on the glass in the way a person needs.
Now you need to apply the film to the glass. After waiting for the foam to settle, use a spatula to smooth the film with gentle movements so that all formed bubbles are removed. Movements are carried out from the center to the edges of the film. Having achieved a perfectly flat surface, you need to let the product dry.
At the end, you can trim off the excess film when it is completely dry and set. It is better not to adjust the desired size before gluing, as a small gap may form.

Before starting work, the window must be clean and dry. Only then will the film adhere well to the surface of the glass and last a long time. Now you don’t need to rack your brains and think about how to seal your windows from the sun.

Why is it important to choose the right product?

Each material has its own characteristics, which determine the range of its applications.
For example, adhesive tape is not suitable for severe frosts, heat-saving film will have to be abandoned if there are large gaps in the frame, self-adhesive foam rubber is not the best choice if there are frequent winter thaws that increase humidity.

The correct choice of material will allow you to live comfortably through the winter , eliminating the need for frantic repeated work in the middle of a frosty month due to the fact that the material has become unstuck or has become unusable.

Insulation with newspapers

One of the most cost-effective and easiest to implement options for insulating window structures. In accordance with these instructions, newsprint is used to seal cracks. It is enough to simply take old newspapers, wet them with water to obtain a homogeneous mass, and then fill all sorts of cracks with this substance. For greater convenience, soaked paper can be rolled into tubes.

The joints of individual elements of the window structure are taped with tape. If you want to save even more, you can use plain paper. Cut it into long strips and glue it to the frames using laundry soap diluted in water.

The joints of individual elements of the window structure are taped

Despite its simplicity and cheapness, the method is very effective and proven by many generations of housewives. However, such insulation also has its own significant disadvantage - when the air temperature outside begins to rise, the thermal insulation will have to be removed. The problem is that the paint often comes off along with the paper. And it’s not so easy to get rid of soaked newspapers. Therefore, this method is increasingly being abandoned in favor of the next thermal insulation option.

Causes

Having noticed the windows blowing, you should understand the causes of the problem. Having found out the reason, it is worth thinking about eliminating it.

Poor quality installation

Violation of installation rules often leads to thermal insulation problems. As a rule, blowing occurs as a result of self-installation of window structures.

House shrinkage

When the house shrinks, individual elements adjacent to the windows shift. The result of shrinkage is the formation of gaps and large cracks.

Saving

By saving on window construction, you have to sacrifice quality. Often, cheap windows create problems in terms of heat retention.

Seal wear

With prolonged use, the rubber seals on the windows wear out, resulting in air entering the room. The solution to the problem is to replace the seal.

Ignoring operating rules

Neglecting standard rules for using windows leads to defects. In addition, the service life of the structure is reduced.