Wooden windows are environmentally friendly designs, they create a comfortable microclimate in the room. For these qualities, many do not want to part with them. But over time, the tightness of the frame decreases and the window becomes a conductor of cold and draft.
There are many ways to solve the problem. How to seal the window for the winter and insulate the cracks between the frame, the box and the slopes depends on how long the repair should be durable and how much time and money you are willing to spend on it. Both old methods of warming, which our grandmothers used, and modern ones made with the help of technological materials, are effective to varying degrees.
We are looking for the cause of cold windows
So that the insulation work is not in vain, it is necessary to correctly identify the weak point of the window that allows cold air to pass through. The reason may lie in different parts of the structure:
- Slopes (damaged or missing insulation);
- Window sill (in its lower part cracks or bridges of cold may form, which, at first glance, are invisible);
- Glass (blowing occurs at the junction of the glass to the frame, putty, which closes the joint, spoils for several seasons and requires regular updates);
- Frame and sash (shrinkage of the tree, sagging of the sash, the movement of soil under the house - all these circumstances lead to the formation of gaps between the frame and the window frame).
If visual inspection failed to identify the cause, you can use some tricks. For example, wet your hand with water and bring it to different parts of the window. An even more sensitive way is a lighted candle or lighter. The flame responds to any fluctuations in air, they will indicate the place of heat loss.
A very old window requires an integrated approach. To achieve good thermal insulation, it is necessary to eliminate all possible cold bridges.. It is sufficient to insulate the structures in good condition around the perimeter of the frame and the opening flaps in any way possible.
How to close up the cracks
The most common problem faced by house owners with wooden windows is the appearance of gaps between parts of the structure. They are formed as a result of changes in the geometry of the window and window opening. In some cases, it is enough to adjust the position of the flaps by pulling the fixing loops. But most often the gaps have to be closed. You can use for this purpose a lot of improvised and specialized materials.
Paper
From cellulose fibers, a good insulation is obtained. You can make it yourself from toilet paper or newspapers. To do this, grind the paper and fill it with water. When the mass softens, it is necessary to remove it and squeeze it well. To make the putty stronger, the same amount of clay and twice as much crushed chalk is added to the pulp.
The mixture must be used immediately for its intended purpose. You can lay it inside the slots with any convenient tool, for example, a knife or a strong ruler. It is advisable to seal the closed gaps with masking tape, soapy paper or cloth.
In this way, you can insulate the windows for the whole winter. But removing the composition from the slots and the frame will not be easy, in addition, traces will remain on the surface, which can only be removed by staining.
Vata
Such a way as to insulate wooden windows with cotton wool for the winter is perhaps the fastest and cheapest. It is necessary to tear off pieces of cotton wool and lay them tightly in the gaps in the window structure. It is recommended to use a screwdriver or knife to seal small cracks.
Upon completion of the work, it is also recommended to seal the slots with tape made of paper or fabric. Taped seam is more airtight and aesthetic.
The advantage of the method is that in the spring cotton wool is easy to remove, while the window does not lose its appearance. Warming will be effective for one season, since from time to time and under the influence of moisture, the cotton wool coalesces and thickens, so it will be necessary to fill the gaps annually.
Foam rubber
Warming of old wooden windows can be done using ordinary pieces of foam rubber or special foam tape on an adhesive basis. Due to the many air chambers in the pores, this material provides good thermal insulation, but does not save from street noise.
Pieces of foam can be hammered into the cracks between the frame and the box or laid along the perimeter of the working wing and close it tightly. If necessary, insulation is very easy to remove.
For laying adhesive tape around the perimeter of the window, you need to remove the frame from the box. If the cracks are large, then you can apply a foam tape in several layers until a snug fit is achieved. Sashes are insulated in the same way. The disadvantage of this method is that when removing the tape may remain traces of glue on the frame or pieces of paint.
Rubber compressor
An adhesive tape made of rubber or polyurethane can last for more than one year. And to warm a window with it very quickly. The only drawback is that you need to spend money on buying a tape.
The insulation has the shape of a tube with a cavity inside - this ensures that its shape is maintained even if the sash is actively used. Gluing is not required - this is also a plus.
Such materials produce insulation of wooden windows using Swedish technology. But before installing the tape around the perimeter of the frame and sashes, grooves are made, into which then insulation is inserted.
How to reduce heat loss through glass
Even double-glazed windows of metal-plastic windows are always cold in winter. Through this part of the structure, the main heat loss occurs. In the case of wooden windows, the situation is especially difficult - the glasses are simply inserted into the groove and fit tightly.
Putty
This method of window insulation partially solves the problem of the glass adhering to the frame. But enough for 1-2 seasons. After which the procedure must be repeated.
For sealing, a special window putty or plasticine is suitable. These materials are equally plastic and adhere well to wood and glass. Apply them from the outside of the window to the joint between the glass and the frame. Before use, a small piece of material must be kneaded and evenly coated, gently pushing in, cover the gap. The key disadvantage of this method is the destruction of putty during freezing and the melting of plasticine in the sun.
Sealant
The joint sealing method using silicone or acrylic sealant is more reliable and durable than the first. But at the same time more troublesome and expensive.
For work, it is recommended to purchase a transparent color composition. The sealant is applied to the glass seat, that is, in the groove. Therefore, the glass will have to be removed. The composition must be squeezed out with a uniform strip around the entire perimeter and immediately put the glass in place and again pass the sealant along the seam.
A small feature that should be remembered when choosing this method of insulation is that the sealant hardens, so then it is not possible to easily remove the glass from the frame if necessary.
Film
According to the manufacturers, the heat-reflecting film allows to reduce heat loss through the glass by 30%. It is glued directly to the glass.
In order to protect windows for the winter in this way, you need to clean the surface of dirt and degrease, then cut a flap of film with a margin of 2 cm on each side. Tear off the bottom layer and attach to the glass. Glue it over the entire area with smoothing movements. If wrinkles have formed, you can warm them up a little with a hairdryer, cut off the excess with a clerical knife.
Insulation of the windowsill, drainage and slopes
If there are no gaps on the frame, and the heat from the room still disappears, there may be a problem in the presence of cold bridges in the space under the window sill or inside the slopes. In this case, repair and insulation of wooden windows at the same time will be required.
Polyurethane foam
Universal insulation for windows - mounting foam. It can be used for filling gaps and mounting slopes..
In order to exclude heat loss from under the windowsill, it is necessary to clean from the space under it the old loose plaster, crumbled foam, caked cotton or other type of insulation that has become unusable. Then install the foam bottle in the gun and blow out the insulation in the slot. It is important to remember that the composition expands several times. Excess foam is easily cut off with a knife after drying.
Also, the foam is blown into the seam between the frame and the wall and along the edges of the slope, then any insulation is laid and a slope is made of drywall, plastic or a sandwich plate. Temporarily it must be fixed on the wall with masking tape. All joints must be lubricated with sealant.
Polyethylene film
Insulation of windows in a wooden house can be done by other methods. A new and yet insufficiently tested method - sealing the window opening with a completely transparent plastic film. The method is not quite aesthetic, since it is difficult to stick the film absolutely evenly. It can only be partially leveled by a hairdryer. But, judging by the reviews, the method allows to reduce the heat loss of the window to the level of a blank wall, which is much more effective than sticking or sealing up cracks.
Fix the film in different ways:
- Double-sided tape;
- Furniture stapler;
- Masking tape.
This cold protection is easy to install and dismantle. The same film can be used repeatedly.
Since you can insulate old wooden windows for the winter in different ways, it is best to use several at once to eliminate not only obvious problems, but also those that can occur in the cold.
Do-it-yourself insulation of windows is recommended in summer or autumn, because many types of work cannot be performed in the winter season.