I have a older mobile home with thin single pane windows, need advice?

Question

I would like advice on protection from heat loss. I'm on a tight budget in the winter. I need something temporary until I can replace with new windows? All advice appreciated?

Not something too white trashy now! I'd like to see out. lol

Answer 1

you can buy magnet tape in rolls (one side sticky} put this all around window frame then cut plexy glass to size and apply tape to plexy glass (instant storm window) use on inside only grampa tought me this for my 1st drafty house years ago cheap easy remove in summer and just stick em back on in winter. cut plexy with a box cutter and yard stick

Answer 2

Bed sheets and tin foil sure are a tacky way.. I bought some thicker mil plastic off the roll that was not very expensive ( some Walmart stores even sold some that had UV protection in the plastic).(the thinner heat applied stuff is kinda expensive and for smaller windows). I taped it to the inside of my windows which is probably saving me some heat loss..I'm going to buy a few double pain windows from Lowe's for some larger windows in front where the heat loss is greater.. can't afford to do very many..a compromise that should help this summer on high a/c bills and I get noise reduction too .

Answer 3

Wow a lot of answers. I wonder how many live in Mobiles?

I happen to be in one now, and not much you do will be strictly aesthetically pleasing, but might help in a modest way.

Without knowing where you are; it may be too late and too cold in the season already, for caulk. Certainly that should be done yearly anyway.

Plastic will allow you a view, but will only be of minimal help. That said however; you can purchase plastic sheeting that isn't the thin mil. drop cloth stuff, and apply it to the exterior. I'll assume if your windows are anything like mine; they are nearly flush with the exterior paneling of the mobile. Obvious issues will occur however; such as taping, and spring cleaning of the adhesive, as well as regular checks for the tape holding.

Indoors: Your inset space for each window is likely less than 3 inches. This may be a challenge but you might devise a way to install the plastic sheeting; cut to size; to fit flush with the window molding/interior walls, rather than flush against the glass. That would allow an air barrier; albeit still not very effective.

Depending on what windows face East and West Open Blinds and/or drapes appropriately as the Sun moves, allowing some warmth, When the sun shines, on alternate sides of the house.

Drapes would also help block some chill; especially lined.

If you use heat, get used to 68 for an indoor temp. if possible. Close off rooms not often used. If you use your oven; leave it open after use.

Dozens of possibilities come to mind.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

This is right up my alley! I sell windows. Anyway to answer while the argon is still in the glass it is great but as stated by other people the seals can not keep the gas from escaping over time do to expansion and contraction. so by year 5 of the window more then 75% of the gas has leaked out. I only will have it put in the window if the customer asks for it specifically. I also tell them about how it is pretty much non existent after 5 years so you are paying extra for something that doesn't last! In the industry we are not even suppose to mention argon anymore because of this. As for putting replacement windows in if the frame is in good shape then there is no problem but a lot of installers will say this because it is so much faster to do a replacement unit then a new one! With a replacement you just pop out the old window and throw in the new one! It might take about 10 Min's to do it where as a new window will take about 25 Min's to half hour because they have to square it up and seal it in! But I personally think it is better to go with a new unit just in case there is something that is unseen!

Answer 5

Well the best solution is to get new windows most companys will offer deals like buy 3 get the 4th free and usually its one day for instalation but if thats not an option taping plastic on top of the windows like to the trim will help keep the heat in and also alow the suns heat to warm the house with out letting it escape

Answer 6

You can poly them off with thin plastic. If you are interested in aesthetics, you can buy the kits at a home improvement store, which are thin rolls of plastic (kind of like saran wrap), which you put over your windows and you use of blow dryer to seal the plastic. The plus to this is that you can still see out the window with minimal distortion, and it's a cleaner look. If you choose a thicker poly (which may insulate better), you will not be able to see out of the window.

Answer 7

They make plastic that you can put over your windows. It's kinda like clear saran-wrap for windows. You tape it to the inside of the window frame and heat it. It's not great, but it does prevent some heat loss, so its better than nothing.

You can also get some caulk and a caulk gun from a hardware store (it's not expensive - $5 for a tube of caulk, $5-10 for the caulk gun) for weather stripping to put in the seams and joints in the window. You'll want to apply the caulk from the outside of the house.

Answer 8

Easily done. They sell kits at most hardware stores where you cam plastic the windows over on the inside. This creates dead air space wich is a good insulator as well as stopping drafts. It's clear plastic and after you hang it you warm it with a hair dryer and it'll shrink up til it's flat. Not perfect but you did say low budget.

Answer 9

Put up cellular shades. You should be able to find some relatively affordable ones and install them yourself to save money. It will cost a little more than the plastic ideas but the cellular shades act as a very good insulator in the winter and summer and you could still use them when you replace your windows.

Answer 10

Take clear caulk and put it in anywhere there is an air leak. You might have to pull the trim off to see if the leaks are originating there. If you are unsure if there is a leak....on a day where there is a little wind blowing....light a candle and hold it around the window....if there is an air leak the flame will move.