Woman adding insulation strip to windows

How to winter proof your windows

| 20.11.2023

Winter – a time when it’s warm and cosy indoors while it’s freezing outside. It’s a season many look forward to, but it’s not for everyone.

Increases in energy prices mean families are struggling to stay warm in the coldest of months. Between November 2022 and February 2023, around 1 in 5 adults (20%) reported that they were hardly ever able to keep comfortably warm in their home.

In order to stay warm during winter, it’s a good idea to insulate your home. You might think this is costly but don’t worry, we’ve got 5 cost-effective methods for winterproofing your windows, with some you could do yourself.
 

Buy weather strips or insulation foam from stores and apply it to your windows. It’ll stop cold from getting in and doesn’t cost much.

KEY TAKE-OUTS

  • The energy crisis is forcing people to look at other ways of staying warm at home

  • You can winter proof your windows in more than one cost-effective way

  • From sealing to thermal curtains, here’s how you can stay warm


SEALING

One cheap, quick solution to winterproofing windows is to seal them. 

You can buy weather strips in many stores for less than £10 [1]. Once you’ve got them, you just need to seal them onto your windows and any gaps around the windows to prevent cold draughts.

If you need help sealing the strips onto your windows, there are plenty of videos online that you can follow.

INSULATION FOAM

Another quick way of winter proofing your windows is to apply insulation foam.

Like weather strips, you can buy foam from retailers for a reasonable price. All you then need to do is apply a small bead of foam to create an air seal around your frame.

CAULK

Have you ever tried using caulk to winter proof your windows?

Caulk is easy to apply and can be used around all the joints in the window frame and the joint between the frame and the wall. This will keep drafts out and will keep you cosy in the cold months.

If you’re renting, don’t forget to ask your landlord for permission before you do anything to the property.

THERMAL CURTAINS

Thermal curtains are made from at least three layers of material [2] that work together to control the temperature of a room, while thermal blinds usually feature tiny honeycomb pockets or similar that trap the air to create a warm, cosy room.

You can order these online or buy in store – just make sure you’ve got the right measurements for your rooms.

DOUBLE GLAZING

If you want a long-term solution to winter-proof windows, you should consider double glazing.

Double glazing prevents heat from getting out and keeps cold from coming in, helping you stay warm even in the coldest months. It’s a good solution for those who want more permanent protection from the cold, and who can afford to do so.


[1] https://www.screwfix.com/c/security-ironmongery/weatherstrips/cat840964

[2] https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/insulating-windows