How to make an apartment warm for winter: we insulate windows and doors with our own hands

With the onset of cold weather, the issue of heat preservation in the apartment becomes one of the main ones. Heat loss through windows and doors can significantly increase heating costs and reduce the comfort of living. However, it is not always possible to install new expensive plastic windows or professionally insulate the doors. It is important to know how to carry out insulation with your own hands in order to increase the energy efficiency of housing and maintain comfort during the cold period. For more information about simple and proven methods, see the Izvestia article.

Why is window and door insulation so important

Windows and doors are the main "bridges of cold" in the apartment. Cracks and leaks allow cold air to enter and warm air to escape, resulting in the loss of precious kilowatt hours of thermal energy. Poor-quality thermal insulation contributes to the formation of condensation on glass and wooden frames, which leads to mold and damage to the finish. Therefore, working with these parts of the apartment is the first and main stage of preparing for winter.

Preparation for insulation: diagnostics and selection of materials

Before starting insulation, it is important to carefully inspect windows and doors for cracks, cracks and other defects. Assess exactly where the cold penetrates — along the perimeter of the frames, at the joints of the sashes, under the window sill or at the bottom of the door leaf.

The following materials are most often used for home thermal insulation work:

— foam rubber and expanded polystyrene on an adhesive basis — for sealing the flaps;

— sealants — silicone or acrylic for sealing cracks;

— heat-saving film — for glass coating;

— window putty — for filling small cracks;

— sealing tapes and rubber gaskets — to create a snug fit;

— mounting foam — for large gaps between the frame and the wall.

The choice depends on the type of windows (wooden, plastic), the degree of damage and the budget.

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Control and sealing of window openings

The simplest and most inexpensive way to insulate is to use adhesive—based foam rubber, which is glued around the perimeter of the doors and provides additional sealing, preventing cold air from entering. For small cracks, silicone or acrylic sealants are used, which are applied with a special gun, filling gaps and cracks.

A heat-saving film is used to protect the glass from cold and condensation. It is fixed with adhesive tape, stretched like a tension screen. This method is practically cost-free and helps to significantly increase thermal insulation.

If large cracks are found between the frame and the wall, they are blown out with mounting foam, which expands and fills the space, providing reliable insulation.

Insulation of doors and elimination of cold bridges

The doors are insulated with special sealing rubber bands and foam nozzles on the door structures. It is important to check and adjust the door fittings — a tight fit to the box significantly reduces heat loss. If the door is old and has cracks at the bottom edge, use rubber or pile seals, as well as a mounting profile for sealing.

In cold regions, it is recommended to cover the door with additional insulating material, for example, insulated panels or decorative foam rubber, which is fastened with screws or glue.

How to check the insulation quality

After warming all the cracks and applying insulating materials, it is worth checking: in windy weather, pay attention to whether there are any blowing and cold streams near windows and doors. For extra comfort, use thick curtains and drapes that will create a warm zone inside the room.

Do not forget to ventilate the apartment to avoid waterlogging and mold formation.