How do I insulate a drafty window?

Question

There seems to be a breeze coming from behind the trim that is around the windows in my house. Need to fix asap!

Answer 1

the best fix would be to caulk the window trim around the window on the outside, that's where the wind is getting in. now if the wind is blowing in around the window sashes, then you will need either storm windows or the plastic window insulating kits that shrink with a hair dryer. a quick fix for leaky sashes would be to use a removable caulk tape, or mortite caulking clay rope. you should be able to get any of these at your local hardware store, just tell them what you are having problems with, the sash or the frame. good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 2

The answers above are great...but with a caveat. If it's below freezing where you're at, the caulk is going to be a horrible mess. If you're in my kind of weather, you can fix temporarily from the inside with a little "Great Stuff" around the window (you use the thin little tube to get it in behind the trim.)

Silicone and Latex products don't set properly in midwinter on the outside of the house. Until it gets back above freezing, you can stop the cold with a 3M window film kit. Yes, it's plastic over the windows. But given the cost of home heating, it's a valuable investment.

Answer 3

Pull off the trim and take a look. Probably there is no insulation stuffed in there either. Find some glass insulation and stuff in hard to fill the crack. That will slow it up for this winter. Probably need to inspect the outer casing of the window frame for cracks between the frame and the wall. Silicone will do the trick.(and insulation when you can)

Answer 4

Well if it's the trim you could try caulking, or if you think it's the window itself there is a plastic film you can get at any hardware store. Cut to fit leaving some excess around the edges, then use a hairdryer and bond it to the window. You can remove it when Spring comes.

Answer 5

A spray foam insulator works best for areas around windows and doors. They sell cans at any hardware stores. If the hole is too small, or foam isnt right for your window, use caulk to close off the areas where the draft is coming through.

Answer 6

I live in an apartment and I put a lot of towels on it. I have rolled up towels and put them in the window seal. Can you say redneck??

You can try sealing the windows on the outside with plastic, if you don't mind the view.

Answer 7

you could seal the living house windows with assistance from rubbing Vaseline on the opener were it closes on the timber or metal and run a silicone line round the hollow go away to dry and it is going to type a seal ,a good number of Vaseline.it sounds unusual notwithstanding it does paintings..

Answer 8

take the molding off and fill gap with caulk if to big a gap stuff with wall insulation put molding back and that should do it