DIY Insulation Projects For Windows and Doors in Winter

Drafts around windows and doors and high energy bills are signs your home could use more insulation. However, DIY insulating projects can be dangerous and costly if done incorrectly.

To avoid expensive mistakes, hiring a professional is always a smart choice for Minnesota homeowners who want to boost their energy efficiency and comfort this winter. Fortunately, there are many quick and affordable solutions for insulating windows in your home.

Bubble Wrap

In cold winter temperatures, drafts around windows can cause the house to feel colder and raise energy bills. One easy DIY project to help reduce these problems is to apply plastic window insulation kits. These kits consist of thin sheets of plastic heat-shrink wrap that cover the window and frame, helping to keep air from escaping. While these insulation kits aren’t as effective as those for the attic or basement, they can still help keep your home warmer and reduce energy costs.

Most of these insulation kits are available at hardware, home improvement and discount stores. They are usually priced in the low range and require no special tools to install, making them a good option for homeowners who want to save money and are willing to do some work themselves. The kit will come with a roll of double-sided tape, which should be applied along the edges of the window. Once the film is attached, it should be carefully stretched and pressed over the tape. Then a hair dryer can be used to shrink the plastic wrap, creating an airtight seal. The kit can be easily removed after the warm weather arrives.

Bubble wrap is a pliable transparent plastic packaging material that is best known for its use in protecting fragile items during shipping. Its regular spaced protruding air-filled hemispheres (bubbles) provide cushioning for delicate items, as well as a pleasing popping sound and alternative uses as a stress-relief tool. It is also available in anti-static form, which helps protect sensitive electronic components from damage caused by electrostatic discharge. The material is also offered in rolls, tubing and bags, as well as laminated to foam.

The plastic wrap is an excellent choice for insulating windows because it is thin and light, yet provides effective thermal protection and a water barrier. It can be used on all types of windows, from casement to awning. It can also be cut to size, reducing the time and labor required to complete this insulation project. Using bubble wrap is also less messy than many other methods for insulating windows, such as newspaper, sawdust or horse hair. Its simplicity and effectiveness have made it a popular shipping product, used to protect billions of products worldwide each year.

Draft Stoppers

Adding draft stoppers (also known as draft dodgers) to your doors and windows is an easy, low-cost DIY project that can significantly reduce your energy costs. This simple and effective solution prevents cold air from entering your home while keeping warm air inside during the winter. It also reduces noise and blocks out odors, light, and dust. Plus, it’s a fun craft to do with your kids!

Draft stoppers can be purchased pre-made in a variety of styles, sizes and colors to fit any door or window. However, if you want to customize your draft dodger, it’s very easy to make one from scratch using fabric that coordinates with your room decor. You can also cover an existing draft stopper with a matching piece of fabric to add a cheerful, decorative touch to your home.

Before you begin your draft stopper project, it’s important to measure the width of the gap under your door or window, as well as its height. This will help ensure your finished draft stopper is the right size and can effectively block cold air from entering your home. Once you have the measurements, cut two pieces of fabric to the length of your door and an additional inch for seam allowances. Next, pin one long side and one short end together with straight pins and sew together on a sewing machine or by hand. For extra durability, be sure to back stitch at both ends of the fabric tube.

Once your draft stopper is complete, turn it right side out and fill with the insulating material of your choice. This could be dried rice, pillow flufff, sand or any other material you have on hand. If you are using sand, be sure to use a heavy-duty bag or container with a sealable opening to keep the sand from spilling. Carefully pin the open end to keep your insulating material in place while you sew the fabric together. Lastly, carefully sew the open end shut using your sewing machine or by hand.

Draft stoppers are a great DIY insulation project to do with the family and can be made using a wide variety of materials, including scraps from other projects or old jeans. If you are on a budget, it’s also possible to purchase a ready-made draft dodger at most hardware and home improvement stores.

Weatherstripping

Air leaks around windows and doors are often the culprit of high energy bills. By sealing these gaps, you can keep warm air inside and reduce your heating costs. This is a fairly easy DIY project, and it can usually be completed in less than a couple of hours. You can find a variety of weather stripping kits online or at home improvement stores, and they come in a range of material thicknesses to fit your needs. You’ll want to identify any existing weather stripping and check its condition – if it is worn, cracked, or missing, it should be replaced.

Start by removing any old weather stripping from the door or window jamb using a pry bar or spraying it with adhesive remover. Measure the gap between the door, the jamb, and the door frame to determine what size of weather stripping you need. You’ll also want to decide what type of weather stripping you prefer based on your budget and durability needs. Felt and open-cell foam are inexpensive but can be more visible and inefficient, while vinyl and metal weather stripping are more expensive but last longer and resist moisture.

If you’re not sure which type of weather stripping is best for your home, try a simple moisture test. Wet your hand, then touch the edges of your door or window to see if it feels cold – a damp hand will feel cooler than your body temperature, so it’s a good indicator of air leaks.

If you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive, and reversible insulation solution, plastic window film covers are an excellent choice. These kits typically include double-sided tape, a roll of window film, and instructions to place the tape over all sides of your window. Once the tape is in place, you can apply the film to its surface and run a hair dryer over it to help it shrink and seal the gap. You can even use a paintbrush to apply the tape to hard-to-reach areas. You can find a wide variety of window film covers at most home improvement and craft stores, as well as online retailers.

Curtains or Blinds

There are a few DIY window insulation kits available at home improvement, hardware, and discount stores. These kits are easy to install and can save you money by preventing drafts. However, they can leave unsightly tape residue and require your attention twice a year when taking down and putting up. If you want to save time and effort, consider using temporary caulking instead. This quick and easy step is also reversible when the cold weather ends.

Another option is to purchase curtains or blinds that fit the windows and doors in your home and seal them off during the winter. This will help keep the cold air out and warm air in, making your home feel more comfortable. However, this can cost more than simply installing plastic window insulation kits.

When purchasing new curtains or blinds, there are many factors to take into account. First, consider the light filtration you want. Do you want the room to be darkened for sleeping or do you like a lot of natural light? Next, consider the design and fabric options. Curtains and blinds can be very different in look, so you’ll want to do some research to determine what style suits your home best.

Blinds are hard window coverings that are comprised of slats or vanes that cascade down or over a fenestration (window or door). These slats are controlled by cords, which can be manually pulled or motorized to provide light control and privacy.

One drawback to blinds is that they don’t block heat and cold well along the sides of the fenestration, which is where drafts typically occur. However, Miller notes that combining them with curtains can help address this issue by adding extra layers of insulation.

If you’re considering curtains or blinds for your home, visit your local showroom to see all your options up close. You’ll be able to play with different controls like cordless blinds and track system drapery, as well as explore various material choices for each. Plus, friendly Design Consultants will be able to answer any questions you may have.