Best Ways to Insulate Windows for Summer and Block the Heat

When it comes to keeping your home cold in the summer and warm in the winter, the insulation of the place is as important as your AC/heat source. Now, the heat leaves your home via the roof, the walls, the door, and the floor, but also via windows.

According to some estimates, replacing your windows with quality double-glazing models can save you between $200 and $250 every year. Moreover, about 21-31% of heat (or cool air) leaves your home via the windows. All in all, insulating your windows is probably the best way to increase the insulation of your home.

With that in mind and without further ado, here are a couple of things you should do in order to increase your home’s resistance to both cold and heat.

Do the Energy Audit of Your Home

The first thing you need to do is try and figure out a way to conduct an energy audit on your home. Sure, replacing your windows is always a good idea. However, when trying to increase the energy efficiency of your home, you need to ensure that you get the best possible ROI.

If your windows are decent (although not ideal) and your roof and attic lack any insulation whatsoever, this should be your first priority. In this scenario, you may want to start looking for new shingles. Examine your attic, your basement, your walls, etc., before proceeding.

Keep in mind that the ROI depends on your cost of investment, seeing as how paying more means that it will take you longer to reach the break-even point. Also, bear in mind that roof and window replacement may have an impact on your home’s aesthetics, while the same doesn’t have to be the case when it comes to the walls.

Find the Right Windows

When looking for energy efficient windows, there are several factors worth considering. First, you want to pay close attention to the number of panes. Double-glazing windows are good enough, but some still prefer to go with three or more panes. Remember that while triple-glazing windows are more efficient, they’re not necessarily more cost-efficient. In other words, the extra insulation that you get is not proportional to the cost increase.

Second, consider the material of the frame. While wood is definitely more aesthetic and can be thermally adequate, its maintenance and durability just can’t match that of PVC. This is what makes PVC windows the most common cost-effective option. Other materials that are commonly in use are aluminum, wood-plastic composite, and even steel.

Lastly, some of the most energy-efficient (but also the most expensive) windows on the market are those containing argon gas between the panes. The cost-to-efficiency ratio with these windows is such that you should only go for them if:

• The cost is not an issue.

• You’re aiming for a zero-energy home.

Just keep in mind that a new, double-glazing, PVC window can be more than enough, provided that you have the right retailer and aim for quality.

Add Weather stripping to the Windows

One of the most surprising things that a lot of people encounter is the fact that their windows are high-quality and they’re still leaking cold/hot air. You see, if there are gaps around windows, the hot/cold air doesn’t have to go through the pane. The fact is that, in this scenario, even an argon-filled window wouldn’t help you much. Air always finds a way, and if there’s a gap, it needs to be sealed as soon as possible. This is what weather stripping is for.

Also, keep in mind that this doesn’t take much of an investment. Unlike window replacement, this is not a project that will take a specialist to perform or cost thousands of dollars in materials. Keep in mind that this is a project that takes minutes, which means that it’s easy to do at a moment’s notice.

Consider Getting a Window Film

Now, keep in mind that the air is not the only factor making your home hotter during summer. Sun rays shining directly through the window are yet another factor worth considering. Fortunately, this is a problem that you can easily solve with laminated plastic film insulation. This way, your window will become reflective, thus eliminating a great deal of sun’s energy that would, otherwise, penetrate your home.

Just keep in mind that this can become a problem in winter. Even during the coldest months, there’s enough sun to slightly offset the temperature in your home. Come winter, you may welcome these warming rays, and this film will make things slightly more difficult.

Unlike energy-efficient windows (which keep your home warm in the winter and cold in the summer), a laminated film doesn’t serve a dual purpose. It’s there only to keep your home colder. This is great during summer but not so great in the winter. Therefore, regional considerations are important to make.

Buying Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are also a great way to insulate your home during summer. Unlike window film, in winter you can just adjust them so that they don’t obstruct the sun’s energy pathway into your home. Keep in mind that this is an incredibly efficient method, seeing as how they prevent about 50% of sun-based heat from entering your home. At the same time, they’re quite inexpensive, which means that their ROI is through the roof.

Blackout curtains are another great way to keep your home colder in summer. Keep in mind that during summer, the sunrise occurs a lot earlier. This is why the ability to keep your home dark makes all the difference in the world. Keeping your home cool and dark in the morning during summer can drastically improve your quality of sleep and, therefore, your overall quality of life.

Draft Snakes

The majority of people know draft snakes as something that’s used primarily on the doors. This is one of the most efficient ways for you to plug any leak in a simple and efficient way. Sure, you could improvise by using a towel or a folded piece of old clothing, but a proper draft snake is always better. Also, keep in mind that, here, there’s no installation. You just place them at the bottom of your windows.

Again, this method is incredibly inexpensive and, when compared to the amount of money you’ll save on your power bill, gives an insane ROI. Another great thing about them lies in the fact that they offer a one-size-fits-all solution. In other words, you don’t have to measure your window sides or hope that you’ve gotten it right.

Using Bubble Wrap

One of the most incredible improvised insulation solutions to keeping your home colder is to use bubble wrap on your windows. This is a simple, short-term solution that you can just pick at your own behest. It’s cheap, easy to install, and even easier to remove. All you need to do is spray your windows with some water and use this lubrication to stick the bubble wrap to them. That’s really it.

In a way, it’s a solution similar to a laminated film with a couple of important distinctions. For instance:

• It’s easy to remove afterward.

• However, it’s not as aesthetic.

As you can see, as temporary solutions go, this one might be your safest bet.

In Conclusion

At the end of the day, there are so many ways to insulate your home by making your windows more energy-efficient. The best solution (if you can afford it) is to replace your windows. If not, using better curtains, adding insulation to the pane by sticking laminated film or bubble wrap, and eliminating draft are your safest bets. Just keep in mind that some decisions might come back to haunt you in the winter, which is why you want to be extra careful.