In the winter, it’s crucial to keep the cold and warm air out. Nobody desires to experience the supplemental draft coming from the windows. Furthermore, no one likes to pay the additional electricity bill that comes with trying to keep your house warm during the winter.
Unsealed windows can let cold air through, which could be costly. How can cold air be prevented from entering through windows? Let’s look at some of the most excellent strategies for keeping the warm air inside and the chilly air outside.
Use the Sun’s Rays to Your Advantage
To increase a home’s thermal performance, manufacturers install Low-E glass coatings and other specialized glazings, allowing them to insulate colder and control heat in warmer months. Through the transparent metal oxide coating, the sun’s shortwave radiation is blocked from being absorbed by longwave radiant heat. Additionally, it enhances the insulating properties of the glass.
Low-E glass will allow shortwave radiation to penetrate and warm the space when the sun shines directly into your home during the winter. It reduces the amount of heat transferred to the glass, preventing long-wave radiant heat from escaping back outside.
Throughout the summer, direct sunlight will still heat your home. Still, long-wave heat reflected from sidewalks, driveways, and patios won’t be able to penetrate the glass and warm the air conditioning.
Consider Insulated Windows
Windows with insulated glass are highly insulating and reduce heat loss significantly. Noble gases such as argon separate the glass panes for double-glazed and triple-glazed units. Also, materials are applied to this inner surface to prevent heat and cold transfer.
The gas between the panes weakens both conduction and convection. Additionally, as gap width increases, insulating characteristics improve.
Also Read: How To Care For Your Home Windows
Using Awnings to Reduce Air Leakage
In the winter, air leaks can significantly affect how warm your home feels inside. Furthermore, the rate of air leakage through a window might vary considerably. Most energy-efficient are hinged windows, such as awning windows that open outwards and close snugly by pressing the sash against the frame.
Compared to sliding or hanging windows, the air leakage rate created by this sash is significantly lower. Fixed windows are another option with a closed strap. Due to the lack of openings, these provide excellent airtight characteristics and keep the property’s interior at a constant temperature.
Use Insulated Plastic Strips to Improve Thermal Resistance
When it comes to retaining heat in the cold, not all window frames are created equally. For instance, copper and aluminum frames aren’t very effective in keeping heat in or out.
If you have one of these windows, you can limit the amount of heat that escapes through the frame and sash by inserting an insulated plastic strip between the two. Fiberglass and vinyl make for the most heat-resistant frames. These two varieties are superior at preventing cold air from penetrating a residence because of the hollow chambers they provide, which may be filled with insulation.
Get Windows With Reflective Glass
Reflective glass, tinted glass, and sun control glass are the most energy-efficient solutions available. The thin metal oxide coating on reflective glass effectively blocks the sun’s heat while letting through visible light.
Tinted glass helps retain heat from the sun, making it ideal for use in colder climates. As an added bonus, solar control glass is coated with a special material that does double duty by both reflecting and absorbing heat while also blocking out light.
Additional Sealing Options
- Install weather stripping: To keep the cold air out and the warm air in, every door and window has weather stripping installed. For a tight seal around the frame of your older windows, it’s a good idea to replace the weather stripping.
- Go for foam tape: Foam tape should be installed because it can be utilized in any window crack. This is a wonderful method of preventing air leaks through older, maybe warped windows.
- Use window film: Wrapping a window completely is virtually guaranteed when using window film. The window film resembles heat-shrinkable saran wrap and may be shaped to a precise fit on the window by applying heat.
- Thermal curtains are great: You may prevent cold air from escaping through your windows during the winter by installing insulated thermal curtains. Located right here in Brattleboro, Window Quits have been around for a very long time.
- Window re-caulking: It’s essential to re-caulk, or replace and renew your caulk. When the weather gets hot and cold, caulk stretches and contracts, allowing air to leak in from the outside. The window sill and frame must be caulked.
- Put dual-pane windows: Put in double-pane windows to further fortify your house against the elements. Dual pane windows have an additional layer of insulation, which helps keep the cold air out and the heat in, thereby lowering your heating costs. Do your homework, but know that double-pane windows can be a pain to maintain.
Also Read: How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Window Seal?
Conclusion
Choosing the right sealing options for your window glass is often overlooked, yet it may make a huge impact on the home’s energy efficiency and comfort.
We can advise you on the best types of glass and window goods for your home if you are unsure. We have decades of experience in the Canadian market as a supplier of glass products, manufacturer, and installer of window glass. Feel free to ask us anything you like about the role window glass plays in retaining heat in the home.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our window glass options.
