Are you ready to pay for heating the street? The heat in your home is stable and constantly escapes through the windows and doors, and you are shelling out money for energy? Unwise, at least... Simple actions will help you avoid unwanted investments... We are talking about window insulation.
Why windows? Yes, simply because the greatest heat loss from the room (up to 40%) is caused precisely by the glazed sections of the walls - the windows. And if they are also old, then first of all you need to take care of their insulation.
Newfangled plastic windows have shown that heat loss can be significantly reduced. It is a proven fact that energy costs for heating premises in our country significantly exceed (from 3 to 5 times) similar expenditure items for residents of other countries with similar climatic conditions. Can't change windows? Then insulate those that exist. How to insulate windows?
The essence of the insulation process
Actions to insulate windows come down to ensuring maximum tightness of the interglazed space of windows, as well as all joining parts of window frames, especially sashes.
Take into account! It is optimal to insulate windows at above-zero temperatures “overboard”. Then it will be more convenient and comfortable to work with, and the life of the insulating materials will be extended.
An important point in the topic of saving heat is the location of the radiator under poorly insulated windows. Usually the window is closed with curtains, which simultaneously cover the radiators, as if fencing them off from the room, and the warm air from the radiators is simply blown out by a draft. Conclusion - radiators should be left as open as possible.
Methods for insulating windows
How to insulate windows for the winter? Let's figure out what methods exist to avoid heat loss in an apartment through windows.
Paper strips
Window insulation can be done by using a proven method of sealing cracks using newsprint, proven by practice and confirmed by many years of experience. To do this, old newspapers or other paper were soaked in water. The paper pulp obtained during this process was used to seal gaps between frames, glass, glazing beads, etc. For sealing large cracks paper tubes were used, which were also soaked and, in this state, stuffed into the cracks.
Next?.. Right! Decor and additional thermal insulation - joints from above to mandatory glued with strips of the same newspapers or other paper. The glue for these stripes was laundry soap diluted in water. It was applied to strips of paper, which were then quickly glued to the desired location.
The positive aspect of this method is the poor thermal conductivity of water and high adhesion (ability to stick) to the painted surfaces of frames. The disadvantage of this process is its tendency to leave marks - the remains of paper pulp and newspaper strips are very difficult to scrape off from window frames. What is the best way to insulate windows in an apartment using other “neat” methods?
Fabric stripes
Insulating windows using cotton wool and fabric strips has brought some “convenience” to the process of insulating windows. Cotton wool (technical) was more simply pushed into all available cracks of the window, and on top it was sealed with soapy strips of fabric. The pores between the fibers of cotton wool, filled with air, are an excellent heat insulator.
In addition to this, such strips are very easily removed when removing insulating materials, without destroying paintwork and without leaving visible traces of its presence on the window frame.
In some cases, this method is still relevant today, due to its low cost and effectiveness. It is advisable to modernize it somewhat - still use cotton wool as a heat insulator, but masking tape can decorate it, which also does not leave marks on the surface of the frame.
Attention! Again! Use masking tape correctly. By choosing normal stationery tape, you run the risk of getting yourself an activity in the spring, the meaning of which will be the difficult removal of glue from the frame sashes.
Foam rubber and tape
To insulate windows in an apartment for the winter, foam rubber and tape can be used. This method is especially relevant for opening window sashes.
Modern heat-insulating foam tape has a self-adhesive layer, which simplifies its installation along the perimeter of the window frame. The cracks can be glued on top masking tape, which, during spring warming, can simply be removed and the foam rubber left.
Let's go back to the past! Previously, foam rubber in the form of thin strips was nailed down with small nails.
Foam rubber has one significant drawback - after 2-3 years it will become completely unusable and will “demand” its replacement.
Paraffin filling
Small cracks in the frame can be filled with molten paraffin drawn into a syringe. When sealing large gaps, you can use additional filler, for example, pieces of rope, which are tamped into the gap and filled with molten paraffin.
To the present... Today there are a great many modern materials(sealants) that can be used instead of paraffin.
Can be insulated with sealant... Swedish technology
It’s not like sticking tape on the frame!.. This method can be called more correctly and succinctly - reconstruction and insulation of windows with groove insulation (this is no longer foam rubber).
The window in the apartment is not sealed with any materials and can be freely opened even in winter time. Usage high-quality insulation will ensure high-quality thermal insulation of window frames for 12-20 years.
Additional procedures
When insulating windows, you cannot bypass sealing the contact areas of glass and frames. For this it is advisable:
- remove the old bead,
- pull out the glass;
- clean a quarter of old mastic and debris;
- clean the edge of the glass;
- miss a quarter thin layer sealant;
- insert the glass into place;
- nail a new bead.
This set of actions and the materials used will improve both the thermal insulation qualities of the window and its ability to absorb street noise.
Heat-saving film
The use of heat-saving films for windows is an innovation, one might say. We are, of course, not talking about the option when polyethylene film closes the entire window.
Modern heat-saving film is capable of transmitting infrared radiation only in one direction.
Thus, heat enters the room, but cannot “exit” back through the window - the film “guards” the comfortable climate. One side of such a film has a metal coating. It is this side that the film is glued to the glass. It should overlap the old frames - the tape fixes it. With careful installation it is almost invisible.
You can explore film options and properly insulate windows with your own hands, both with wooden frames and double-glazed windows. That is, such a film can also be used in “tandem” with plastic windows.
Speaking about insulation, we meant, first of all, how to insulate old wooden windows. It turns out that plastic windows may also need additional restoration. How to insulate windows that are already considered insulated?
If low-quality insulation is used in windows, as well as if they are installed and used incorrectly, the insulation may become unusable. In this case, it will be useful for the window to replace it with a new high-quality insulating material. It is advisable to entrust such work involving repeated adjustment of window fittings to professionals.
Insulation of window sills and slopes
When insulating windows, many people ignore the space around the window. But in vain... It is here that a gap may be hidden that will negate the effectiveness of the work on insulating the window itself.
The gaps between the frame and the slope, between the window sill and the wall will be filled correctly and conveniently polyurethane foam. The main thing is to ensure that this layer of foam on top is hidden from sun rays and decorated so as not to disturb the aesthetics of the window itself. The sun has a detrimental effect on polyurethane foam, destroying it in 2-3 years.
For plastering slopes and sealing cracks you can use simple materials- a mixture prepared from building gypsum and chalk (2:1). The mixture, diluted in water to a thick consistency, ideally covers the cracks and does not particularly stand out against the background of the window.
Let's summarize!
Experts say that simply insulating windows will reduce energy costs several times, which will affect your budget. Insulation works and the materials pay for themselves quite quickly, and then bring stable savings and warmth to your home.
May you be warm and comfortable in your home!
Despite the popularity of energy-saving structures made of metal-plastic profiles, there are still many adherents of wooden windows. Make a choice in favor wooden structures causes a number of reasons: a healthy indoor microclimate, environmentally pure material, high decorative qualities of the product.
Positive attribute - ability natural material“breathe” has another side - increased heat loss indoors. Owners of wooden windows need to take timely care reliable insulation for the cold season.
Places on windows with poor seals can be detected with a burning candle. On a windy day, we will carry it along the window frame, where the flame will fluctuate, there is a place for heat leakage. Such areas must be insulated from the inside and outside premises.
You can invite specialists to do the work, but it won’t be difficult to do it yourself with the help of improvised materials and special materials.
(1 method) Insulating wooden windows using paper and fabric strips
The simplest, quite primitive, but very economical way- insulation of wooden windows using paper and paper or fabric strips.
Completing of the work:
- we tear paper, newspapers, wallpaper into pieces, twist them into strips;
- soak in water and clog the cracks between the window frame and sashes using a knife or ruler;
- Carefully glue strips of paper or fabric of small width (4-5 cm) along the joints, coat them with a solution of laundry soap or make a special glue (paste) from flour or starch.
Paste recipes:
- Flour paste: take flour and water in equal proportions (1:1), mix well until lumps disappear and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Starch-based paste: 2 tbsp. Dissolve the starch in water and add a glass of boiling water in a thin stream, keep it on the fire for a short time.
Clear window from this insulation It’s not easy, sometimes the paint is removed along with the paper, and pieces of it and prints of printing ink remain on the surface of the window frame.
Simple and forgotten insulation also includes window putty and even children's plasticine.
(2nd method) We insulate the window with cotton wool, gluing the joints with tape or self-adhesive paper
The same “grandmother’s” method, but more modified. Cotton wool is replacing paper, instead of paper and fabric tapes- tape and self-adhesive paper, and the execution process itself is identical. In the spring, when it becomes necessary to remove the insulation, the paint will remain on the tape, but self-adhesive paper has the advantage of being removed without problems.
(3rd method) Self-adhesive foam tape - convenient and reliable insulation for a wooden window
You can buy it in any store, it is easy to work with, although the whole process takes a lot of time.
The procedure for laying elastic, resilient material is: foam tape, for insulation and insulation:
- we measure along the perimeter the joints between the window sashes and the window frame;
- we take into account the width of the gaps, and buy foam tape a little thicker than what is required when measuring;
- We clean the mounting points from dust and dirt and degrease the surface with alcohol or acetone;
- We remove the protective base and glue the insulation onto the pre-designated area.
For better sealing, it is necessary to cover the top with self-adhesive paper, which is best removed in the spring, but the foam rubber can be left and used for several seasons.
(4 way) Tubular seal for a wooden window
The tubular seal does not lose its quality for a long time, is durable, and does not limit the ability to open and close the window.
Rubber seals easy to use, especially if the gap has different widths along the entire length. When purchasing, make sure that the rubber is soft and elastic.
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gaskets are suitable for even openings, are considered the most reliable, and are often laid in two layers;
- Polyurethane seals rectangular shape Suitable for openings of equal width; insulation areas can be covered in two layers.
- Seals come with a self-adhesive base - it is convenient and easy to attach, so that there are no problems with use, you need to pay attention to the expiration date.
- Seals are also available without self-adhesive tape; they are attached to the base using silicone sealant.
Video instructions for insulating wooden windows
(5th method) Insulation of wooden windows with polyurethane foam
Modern insulation that hermetically closes all cracks and cracks, both from the outside and from the outside. inside windows - polyurethane foam.
Removes gaps and cracks:
- between the frame and the slope (note Special attention from the outside);
- under the windowsill is the place where the leaks occur the most warm air;
- between the window and the beam located above it;
- between the slope and the window sill.
Insert the end of the tube into the crack and start blowing out the foam by pressing on the cap. Having filled all the cracks, wait until it hardens and remove the excess with a knife. The foam on the outside of the window must be plastered or painted, since polyurethane foam (the composition of polyurethane foam) is subject to the destructive effects of ultraviolet rays.
Need to remember:
- You can work with polyurethane foam if the air temperature is not lower than +5° – (+30°);
- foam can expand, so the frame must be secured with spacers, otherwise distortion is possible;
- fill the cracks with polyurethane foam to 1/3 of the width, because it, having increased in volume, will occupy the necessary space;
- the filling goes from the bottom up along the seam to prevent the seal from falling out.
A cheaper, but more troublesome method of insulation is a putty made of plaster and chalk (2:1) with the addition of water. With this mixture we can easily seal the cracks, and the surface has an attractive appearance. By the way, there was a time when plaster bandages were used to insulate windows, which were used in medicine to fix bones during fractures. They were moistened with water and applied to joints and along cracks and crevices.
(6th method) Insulating wooden windows with paraffin
One of the oldest and most proven methods is using paraffin as a sealant. This insulator retains its properties for several seasons.
Let's heat the paraffin in metal utensils in a water bath (60-70) and draw it into a medical syringe without a needle. The gaps are filled quickly and efficiently. If the width of the voids is impressive, place a ribbon or clothesline in them and pour hot paraffin on top.
(7th method) Insulating wooden windows using heat-saving film
An innovation in glass insulation is a special film that lets air into the room daylight, but does not emit infrared radiation. This film has two sides, which must be taken into account when gluing it to glass. We glue the metallic side to the glass and the transparent side to the inside of the room. When performing work, your hands should be clean, and it is better to use cotton gloves so that there are no greasy stains on the surface of the film.
We cut out the sheet with a margin and overlap it so that it can be easily secured to the window frame with double-sided tape. Such a film, if well glued, does not interfere with the design of the window, and it looks aesthetically pleasing and neat. In order for it to lie evenly and without wrinkles on the surface of the glass, we will do thermal shrinkage with a stream of hot air using a hairdryer.
Video: Installation of heat-saving film on a window
(8th method) Insulation and modernization of a wooden window
An effective way to insulate a window is its partial reconstruction and modernization. This method will retain heat in the room and limit the passage of cold air through the window perimeter. In this case, the doors will open freely, and exterior design the window will not be disturbed by anything. The purpose of this method is not only to insulate, but also to reduce the penetration of noise and sounds into the room through the window.
Painstaking work requires time and patience. We remove the window from its hinges and place it on a table or floor. It is necessary to remove the glazing beads along the entire perimeter; if necessary, we replace them. We take the glass out of the frame, carefully clean the grooves on the frame for laying it, then fill the joints with sealant. We install it in its original place, and for greater effect we apply silicone along its entire perimeter. We put glazing beads and nail them in place.
If you have already completed difficult work- dismantling the frame, then make minor repairs: remove old varnish and paint and apply a new paint and varnish coating, replace fittings, install new locking devices.
It must be remembered that work with polyurethane foam can only be carried out at positive temperatures not lower than +5°.
(9th method) Removing cracks in window frames
Due to various circumstances (impact of temperature changes, moisture) on window frames cracks appear. To maintain the integrity of the structure and prevent their further expansion, we seal cracks in several ways:
- pour molten paraffin;
- seal with special putty for wood;
- fill the gaps with sealant, you can match the color to the frame.
If necessary, we repaint the window, and the cracks become invisible and the frame has an attractive appearance.
(10th method) Insulation of the entire perimeter of the window frame
The entire insulation process wooden window consists in choosing the material for the work and the method of laying it, taking into account the characteristics of the wooden window. We mainly insulate the cracks, which are located at the junction of the frame and sashes.
If guided Swedish technology, then it is necessary special tool- use a cutter to make a groove inside the perimeter of the window and fill silicone seal tubular shape, which will cover all the smallest cracks and defects. The process is complex; if the window is old, it may not withstand removal and hanging; it is not cheap; the work must be performed by professionals.
An easier way is to place and glue the seal around the perimeter onto the transom of the window. When we close the frame, it will bend the seal and not slide over it; it will fit tightly, closing all the cracks. Such insulation can be laid in rows in several layers. Its use must be combined with the installation of glass on a layer of sealant. The seal installed in this way will last for many years and there will be no need to remove it in the spring and install it in the fall.
We will talk about sealing the window opening, which is necessary for thermal insulation (protects against drafts, prevents heat loss in winter), but not only. Window insulation maintains a comfortable microclimate in the apartment during hot summers; prevents dust, street odors, and insects from entering the house; dramatically reduces the noise level, which is especially important if your windows overlook a highway or tram line.
First of all, window insulation is necessary for old wooden frames(a high-quality and well-installed plastic window does not always require additional insulation measures).
There is one caveat: in the old days, glass was often installed in the frame using a special mastic, and it tends to crumble over time. The paint on the frames is cracking, and the wood itself is cracking over time. Small cracks should be filled with sealant before laying insulation.
Obviously, the main requirement for window insulation is its quality. When selecting, you also need to take into account the specifics of the cracks on your window - width, shape.
Self-adhesive insulation
Insulation materials are divided into adhesive, groove and self-adhesive. The easiest way to install is self-adhesive. It can be foam rubber, rubber, made of polyethylene foam or PVC. There is insulation for plastic windows black, white and brown. The material is quite durable and allows you to seal cracks up to seven millimeters wide.
When choosing self-adhesive insulation for windows, be sure to look at the expiration date. If you buy rubber or plastic insulation, it is better to take a softer one. Foam or polyethylene (tubular or rectangular) is suitable for sealing gaps up to four millimeters, provided that the gaps are fairly level. Otherwise, you need to pay attention to the brand: up to three millimeters, profile C, E, K is suitable, up to five - P, V, up to seven - B, O.
To seal not very wide cracks, you can use a rubber seal; for uneven and wide cracks, it is better to choose silicone, it is more flexible.
Foam rubber
Foam rubber insulation for windows (foam rubber tapes) was used to seal windows for the winter long before the production of insulation was put into production. The advantages of this material are known to everyone: it is easily compressed (and, as a result, installed), does not injure the surface of the frame, this method is cheap and simple.
There are also disadvantages: foam rubber for insulating windows is not the best choice, even with very good compression, air still leaks through the pores, and also the durability is not the greatest - the foam rubber comes off relatively easily.
The second problem is partly helped by modern adhesive compositions on a rubber basis. To solve the first part of the cracks (especially in hard to reach places) It is advisable to fill it with silicone or acrylic sealant before installing the insulation.
Insulation tape
Adhesive paper tape for window insulation is sold in any construction supply store or markets, and is inexpensive. Previously, strips of thick paper were used instead; they were placed on soap. The presence of an adhesive layer on the tape eliminates the need to use soap, and this type of sticking lasts much better. It is usually placed on top of foam rubber.
EPDM – rubber tape. Suitable for sealing uneven cracks of small width. It perfectly seals cracks and withstands temperature changes from minus fifty to plus seventy.
Silicone insulation tape also withstands strong temperature changes and is indifferent to chemical influences. This is a very plastic material, suitable for large uneven cracks.
Vinyl polyurethane has a porous surface. This tape has good dustproof properties, but is not the best for thermal insulation. the best option. Moreover, it is not the most durable.
Insulation film
To reduce heat loss, heat-saving film is often used to insulate windows. Usually it is coated on one side with a metal coating (this surface should be facing the street). Such a film - great way thermal insulation: it prevents heat loss and at the same time transmits light well.
Laying insulation
Whatever materials you choose for insulating windows, it is recommended to glue seals at temperatures above five degrees, so it is better to take care of the tightness of windows in advance, without waiting for frost.
First, you need to remove the old insulation for wooden windows, if any, clean the frames from dirt and degrease (gasoline, acetone, alcohol, or any composition based on them will do). You need to glue in places where the sash comes into contact with the frame, removing protective film gradually, as the insulation is laid.
It must be placed in such a way that when the sash is closed, it does not slip along the sealing tape, but presses it at a right angle. Also pay attention to the line where the frame meets the opening.
In a couple of hours the glue will set completely. Tubular profiles are produced with an adhesive surface, but are often mounted on silicone sealant. Then the setting time will depend on the hardening speed of the sealant indicated on the packaging.
It is necessary to insulate the windows of your home in the warm season. All are used for this operation available methods. The most cardinal is complete replacement window. However, if this is not possible, then you can get by with modern building materials. One of them is window insulation tape.
The technique is relevant in most cases for wooden frames, but also older models plastic products it wouldn't hurt to provide reliable protection. The integrity of the structure itself is also checked so that wooden elements there were no cracks from natural drying processes. You can get rid of them using a sealant.
Variety of models
Manufacturers offer several options for hermetic seals. In most cases, rubber and PVC are used as a base. Each of them has a set of characteristics:
- features of installation and fastening to the surface;
- degree of durability;
- the ability to withstand external negative factors.
In popular models, the described factors fully cope with the assigned tasks. For each type of tape there is detailed instructions installation instructions from the manufacturer to achieve optimal results.
The following types of tapes are found on the shelves of construction stores:
- self-adhesive (with applied adhesive layer);
- grooved (designed for installation in cut grooves);
- adhesive (having a surface on which glue is supposed to be applied for fixation).
Each option is selected based on actual conditions and the condition of the window.
Self-adhesive rubber strips
Modern self-adhesive tape for window insulation is made on the basis of rubber, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene foam. Plastic materials make it possible to compress such insulation to the required state in order to minimize gaps. During production, various dyes are used that make this element less noticeable against the background of the window.
The following colors are selected:
- white;
- brown;
- black.
The tape has not only a decorative difference between different models. It is also differentiated by the possibility of hiding gaps. The most popular versions of its design are capable of blocking gaps from 3 to 7 mm in increments of 2 mm. Each interval has its own index. Although there are no ideal gaps in frames, but choose best option It's always possible.
VIDEO: Window insulation - experiment
Use of foam rubber
You can get rid of annoying drafts spreading from poorly sealed frames by installing self-adhesive foam tape for insulating windows. The product blocks heat from escaping outside the room.
Insulating windows using foam rubber and tape
The main shape for such tapes is a rectangular profile. Among the wide range, it is always possible to choose the most optimal option, since the models differ in the following characteristics:
- dimensions (section and length);
- degree of rigidity (relevant for uneven gaps);
- color range (easy to match the frame from white and beige to gray and black);
- the presence of an adhesive layer (self-adhesive can be applied to one of the sides).
Foam rubber was one of the first to be used for such purposes due to its physical properties. It has a lot of advantages, remaining one of the popular materials with the following characteristics:
- good compression ratio;
- there is no frame injury;
- affordable cost per linear meter;
- easy to install/dismantle;
- copes with the task quite effectively.
However, with all the advantages it has disadvantages:
- with significant differences in the gap, air leaks in;
- has a relatively short service life;
- in cheaper models this adhesive tape for insulating windows, it is weakly fixed;
- poorly resistant to moisture.
If you need to temporarily get rid of a draft, then foam rubber is quick and in a simple way solving this problem at least for the winter season.
For ease of installation on windows and joints, it is worth purchasing foam rubber with an adhesive base. This material stays on the surface longer, is elastic enough to last for several seasons and regulates the tightness of the sashes.
Tubular seal
Manufacturers of tapes for insulating plastic windows offer a special variety of these products. It is also made of rubber and polyvinyl chloride. Its back side has options, both with a groove hook and with an adhesive side covered with protective paper tape.
It is this type of seal that is the basis of the so-called. Swedish system for insulating wooden windows. And although in essence, we are talking not so much about insulation, but about full recovery thermal insulation properties wooden window, it is the tubular seals that take on the main role in blocking cracks and cold bridges.
The groove version is more reliable, since a special profile groove is pre-cut on the frame. It is able to keep the tape from mechanical impact, unlike the sticky side of other models.
The main advantages of the material are the following properties:
- it is possible to block possible gaps even 7 mm wide;
- durable prepared material withstands significant temperature changes from a hot surface in the sun to significant winter frosts;
- There are several color options for various frames;
- the material is affordable;
- During the period of operation, the owner has the opportunity to repeatedly open/close the doors without problems at any time.
This is how the seals are inserted into the gaps
Due to these positive qualities, the film gained many supporters.
It is worth noting the negative factors that the tubular seal has. Most of them refer to models with an adhesive base:
- frequent deformations can disrupt adhesion to the surface;
- temperature changes negatively affect the properties of the adhesive layer;
- Not relevant for all window designs.
You can get rid of the shortcomings of a tubular seal if you choose products from well-known world brands.
Insulation film
It’s not for nothing that they say that everything new is well forgotten old. Insulation film was used back in the 90s of the last century, but then it was ordinary cellophane, which was used to caulk cracks. Today this is an improved canvas that can be easily installed on a window and creates a sealed chamber.
Polyethylene film for thermal insulation
The film is attached to the frame using double-sided tape, stretched and heated additionally to make the tension even stronger. Such manipulations make it possible to create an air chamber between glass and polyethylene, which works on the principle of a thermal insulation cushion. At the same time, the film acts as a heat reflector, preventing heat from escaping. IN summer time everything happens the other way around - the film keeps ultraviolet radiation and heat from getting inside and a favorable cool climate is created in the room.
Choosing the right tape
To obtain maximum effect from installation and operation of the product, it is necessary to select it correctly. Rubber seals are usually selected according to their degree of hardness. The softer one will be better distributed over the mating surfaces. If the gap has a fairly even shape, then a tape with a rectangular profile will do. It will ensure that the window closes well and will not create unnecessary stress in narrow gaps. It is imperative to check the expiration date of the product, since the adhesive characteristics of the adhesive layer depend on this.
VIDEO: Window insulation
Someone continues to insulate the windows toilet paper or newspapers. But today there are a sufficient number of specialized tools designed to make our everyday life easier. It’s worth mentioning right away: pasting windows is a regular process and it will be repeated every winter. Therefore, it is worth choosing the least labor-intensive method of insulation. In this article we will look at the types of insulation for self-adhesive windows. We will also compare the cost different types materials and instructions step-by-step installation on one example.
Any self-adhesive insulation always consists of two main elements:
- Warming base;
- Adhesive layer.
The first is designed, in fact, to protect from the cold, the second eliminates the need to dilute and use a special adhesive. This tape-based approach has three significant advantages over traditional methods:
- Reduces insulation installation time;
- Simplifies pasting;
- Eliminates wet processes.
And as a bonus, any adhesive will leave marks on the frame when the owner wants to get rid of the insulating tape. Using special adhesive tape for insulation will not cause diffusion between the frame paint and the adhesive composition of the insulation.
Let's now look at the 4 materials from which self-adhesive window seals are made, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Materials
Foam rubber
Foam insulation has been used since Soviet times. You may remember people taking backing from an old chair or armchair, cutting it into strips and inserting it into window cracks to seal it. Today there are foam rubber based special options for insulating windows. The advantages of using such material are
- Low cost;
- Elasticity - can be used in cracks of different thicknesses.
Of course, there are also disadvantages. For example, foam rubber perfectly absorbs moisture. This occurs due to the porous structure of the material. After just one soaking, such insulation will take a very long time to dry.
This material is also short-lived. After prolonged use, the foam crumbles and turns into dust.
PVC
Insulating tapes for windows and doors made of PVC or polyvinyl chloride have greater strength than foam rubber, but all of them cannot be called the very best in our comparison.
Rubber
Self-adhesive rubber seals are actually made from synthetic rubber. The abbreviation EPDM is used for marking.
Materials made from rubber will serve well for a long time. Some manufacturers claim that such self-adhesive insulation can withstand a temperature difference of -50 - +100 degrees. You shouldn’t test this in practice, but the rubber insulation will definitely withstand -40.
PPE
Materials made of foamed polyethylene have a pleasant to the touch, porous structure. Insulation materials are very elastic. This property allows them to be used especially in small window gaps. Foamed polyethylene differs from ordinary polyethylene in the presence of more air in its structure.
Air is the best thermal insulation medium. If you do not plan to heat your windows to temperatures above 120 degrees, PPE insulation will be safe. Only with such high temperature it will turn into a liquid mass that can be toxic. Up to the specified limits, foamed polyethylene does not react.
Manufacturers
Having made a short review of the materials from which self-adhesive window seals are made, let's pay attention to specific manufacturers. Of course, in reality there are a huge number of manufacturers, but most likely in the store you will find insulation from one of the following brands:
- Profitrast;
- Econ;
- KIMTEC;
- LLC "SV-Forum LLC";
- Bison;
- Deventer;
- Sanok.
Some of them are domestic, for example, Zubr, and some, for example, KIMTEC or Deventer, are foreign-made. It is preferable to buy insulation made in Germany or at least in Poland. They live much longer, although they are significantly more expensive. By the way, about the cost a little lower.
Cost table
Self-adhesive insulation is sold wholesale and retail, as well as in coils (large skeins) and in small packages for private use. Below is comparison table, which will help you see the approximate cost of 1 linear meter different manufacturers and from different materials.
| Manufacturer | Country of Origin | Cost of 1 linear meter | Packaging cost | Length (meters) | Insulation model | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deventer | Germany | 42 | 250 rub. | 6 | S7256 | EPDM |
| Profitrast | Russia | 10 | 90 rub. | 9 | Standard, Profitrast | PVC |
| Economy | Russia | 3.6 | 44 rub. | 12 | PVC | |
| KIMTEC | Germany | 12 | 18 rub. | 1.5 | EPDM | |
| AVIORA | China | 8.2 | 82 rub. | 10 | Foam rubber | |
| - | Russia | 3.9 | 39 rub. | 10 | PPE | |
| Scotch tape for window insulation | Russia | 2.84 | 142 rub. | 50 |
It is clear that German insulation for windows made of synthetic rubber is the most expensive. Although their price is within reach. 40-50 rubles per linear meter not so much, considering that one window requires 3-5 meters. You can insulate all the windows in an apartment for about 2,000 rubles.
How to stick
So, you have chosen and bought self-adhesive insulation, how to glue it to the windows? Remember at the beginning we said that the adhesive layer makes installation easier? So, this is actually true.
- If there is one, remove the old insulation by prying it with a knife;
- Clean thoroughly work surface frames or glass. You may need a rag or brush for this. Sometimes the remnants of old glue need to be removed with a knife or sandpaper;
- Degrease the surface with an alcohol solution;
- After the surface has dried, remove the protective tape from the purchased insulation;
- Gently press it against the frame or glass.
Remember, the tape will be completely glued only after 2 hours.
Most often, old windows need insulation. If metal-plastic windows require insulation, most likely, you should start solving the problem by replacing the sealing rubber bands. This procedure will give a much better effect than simply gluing materials at the joints. This is due to the fact that the seals inside the frame prevent air from blowing in. While self-adhesive only prevents warm air from leaving the room.
Window pasting is a temporary measure in cases where it is not possible to thoroughly insulate the window openings. And yet, if you decide to insulate your windows this way, I hope the article provided enough information. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments.