Well      03/03/2020

Insulation of PVC windows. Insulation of windows. Repair of plastic windows

Ideally, insulation window designs should be done at the installation stage. Of course, in this case, the total cost of each window will increase significantly (by about a third), since the price will be added to it thermal insulation material and carrying out work (if it is not done with your own hands). But the operational life of the entire structure will be extended. Moreover, you will not have to subsequently dismantle the windows (inside and outside).

But if no one took care of thermal insulation during installation, then you will have to do it yourself. Therefore, today we will talk about how to insulate double-glazed windows.

Design features of PVC windows

Any plastic window includes the following structural elements.

  1. Profile.
  2. Slopes.
  3. Seals made of rubber.
  4. Windowsill.
  5. The glass unit itself.
  6. Regulating fittings.

What is typical is that if a breakdown occurs with one of these elements, the window will blow out.

What materials will be needed?

For thermal insulation of modern double-glazed windows, it is preferable to use the same modern materials. In this case, one of the following options can be used as insulation for the window structure:

  • expanded polystyrene;
  • some “warm” mixture;
  • mineral wool;
  • polyurethane foam.

When choosing one or another of them, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the properties of each of the materials, but also to the installation features and further use(external and internal). The most convenient option is, of course, polyurethane foam, but under the influence of ultraviolet rays, temperature changes or even air, it is easily destroyed. That's why external works It is advisable to perform using “warm” mixtures. And to waterproof the plaster solution, you can use both painting and a primer with moisture-proof properties.

Note! The only drawback in this case is that it is difficult to select consumable insulating material, for the installation of which it would not be necessary to dismantle slopes and other components. Only under such conditions can one accurately determine what the material should be and how much of it will be required.

For filling small cracks in areas where window profile adjacent to the window sill and other elements, sealant can be used. Even an ordinary housewife can handle this kind of work - you just need to follow the instructions for use indicated on the package.

What is the essence of thermal insulation?

Thermal insulation of double-glazed windows consists, as noted above, precisely in the slopes. If we talk about other structural elements, then only troubleshooting will be required. For example, drafts never appear due to the profile. And modern technological plastic, which is used in windows, is no longer wood; it is incapable of either “moving out” or drying out.

Plastic windows lose thermal energy if certain sections of the structure become depressurized. And if you do not want the cold to penetrate inside the room, then take care of insulating the slopes or start looking for the causes of the problems. Well, let's proceed directly to how to insulate double-glazed windows, and let's start with insulating the slopes of window structures.

7 ways to insulate windows for the winter

Previously, we gave several instructions on how and what is the best way to insulate windows for the winter; in addition to this article, we advise you to read this information

We are engaged in insulation of slopes

As is known, in metal-plastic windows slopes must be plastic. The lining must be plastic, and it must be hard. What causes this? The fact is that this material ideal for additional thermal insulation.

And here the opening formed between window frame and the surface of the wall, it is necessary to blow it out using polyurethane foam. Of course, there are other options - for example, insulating boards (they are made from basalt fiber) or foam insulation. Therefore, you can choose the material that is ideal for your current purposes.

The wall must be insulated both from the inside and outside. But in this case, the materials used will not only insulate, but also protect. The insulator itself is necessary to protect against various kinds external negative factors.

Correcting skewed sashes

As you know, in some cases even plastic window structures can shrink. And, alas, nothing can be done about this. As a rule, houses that were built most recently “suffer” from this problem. And due to shrinkage, accordingly, the sashes are slightly warped, which has a Negative influence on the thermal insulation characteristics of the structure. But this problem can be solved - for this you need to debug the fittings.

What tools will you need?

The pressure of the sashes can be adjusted manually using special eccentrics. When the handle is turned, they move beyond the "calling areas". Such elements must be installed along the entire perimeter of the frame. And to ensure the tightest possible pressure, the eccentric must be turned strictly clockwise.

Each of the elements mentioned above has a special “picture”. If it is directed towards the street, this means that the clamp is loose. But if this pointer is directed towards the seal made of rubber, then the window sash is perfectly pressed against the frame structure.

A little about loops

Hinges in metal plastic windows nal designs also have own mechanism, which is responsible for pressing. The device is adjusted using a special hexagon. Here you should be guided by one simple rule: If the tongue is pulled out strongly, the window sashes fit tightly. To extend this tongue, you need to twist the hexagon, while going counterclockwise. If the hinges in the window are located on the right, you need to turn the hexagon in the opposite direction. That is, here it is clockwise. It turns out that there is nothing complicated in this event - eliminating the distortion is easy and simple.

Note! If the manipulations described above did not bring any results, and cold air and further penetrates the apartment, then, most likely, the problems are more serious. Here all you have to do is turn to specialists for help.

We continue to talk about how to insulate double-glazed windows. Now let's find out how to prepare windows for winter.

Changing the rubber seal

What is a rubber seal? Its main function is to ensure the tightest possible fit between the window frame and sashes. To make it more reliable, it is made of rubber, so it does not allow cold air to pass through even if it is closed.

Given that proper care and periodic treatment with special mixtures, the sealant will last quite a long time. But only some owners of double-glazed windows do this, because this element is almost always hidden behind the doors. Well, only a few people know that the seal should be periodically treated with something.

For this reason, after about five years, the density of the element is lost. When the seal becomes unusable, it must be replaced. To do this, the windows are removed from the sashes, then the glazing bead is removed and the sealing material itself is removed. Replacing the latter is not difficult: the old seal is removed, and the new one is placed through the groove. If desired, the element can be fixed with glue. There is no need to worry about the difference in colors - the element can be either gray or black, but there are no special differences between them.

Note! Extreme care should be taken when removing and installing the bead. The fact is that it is extremely fragile, so it is quite easy to break it. And if the bead is broken, the structure cannot be put back together.

What other insulation options are there?

It is worth noting that there are other ways to protect your home from the cold. Let's take a look at some of them.

Method number 1. Wool blinds

A non-standard method of thermal insulation of a window structure, but quite effective. Ordinary blinds need to be wrapped using strips wool fabric, because of which they will prevent the cold from penetrating into the room.

Method number 2. Window sill insulation

Cold air can also penetrate through the joints between the elements of the window sill. Therefore, these joints should be carefully sealed. In addition, in case of improper installation, “black holes” may appear under the window sill itself, which means that the element must be dismantled, and the gaps between the block and the slab must be carefully processed.

For this purpose, the plugs are opened, the window sill is unscrewed with a screwdriver, and there you will find all the cracks (if any) that allow cold air to pass through.

Method No. 3. Application of heat-saving film

A double-glazed window can also be thermally insulated using heat-saving film - a cheap but at the same time effective material. It must be glued in such a way that no air bubbles remain under it, since not only the aesthetic indicators of the entire structure, but also the thermal insulation properties will depend on this.

And if you decide to use such a film, then it is better to take care of gluing it before you begin installing the double-glazed windows themselves. Although, in principle, this can be done after installation is completed.

Video - Gluing heat-saving film

Method number 4. Curtains

This may sound ridiculous, but curtains can be another way to insulate double-glazed windows. These elements act as a barrier to air, which means it does not let it through in winter (if it does penetrate through the window structures). Moreover, the air passing through the curtains even warms up a little.

Video - Preparing plastic windows for winter

Where does insulation begin?

Thanks to correctly carried out measures aimed at thermal insulation of double-glazed windows, you will get rid of all the mistakes that were made at the installation stage. If you want, you can even make some design changes to the windows - for example, install a window, replace the sashes that open with blind ones or vice versa, make adjustments to functionality, etc. And where does the thermal insulation procedure itself begin? First of all, from the choice of one technology or another, Supplies, from developing a detailed plan for further work, and in order to do all this correctly, it is necessary to objectively evaluate general state window system.

Note! Despite the fact that work on thermal insulation of plastic windows can be carried out at almost any time of the year, it would be correct to do this during the warm period. In addition, there is another important condition– the weather should be dry and windless.

But, by the way, in cold weather it is extremely easy to detect where the cracks are located through which the cold penetrates into the room. Now let’s look at what “weak points” all metal-plastic structures without exception have. Such places include:

  • seal of the sash that opens;
  • emptiness under the slopes and window sill;
  • bead location area;
  • the place where the window frame adjoins other structural elements of the entire structure;
  • window fittings (all).

In addition, you should definitely pay attention to the width of the window sill. The fact is that it should not cover the heating radiators that are located underneath it. Yes, definitely wide window sill extremely convenient, but from a technical point of view it is not entirely correct.

Hire specialists or do everything yourself?

There are a number of defects, the correction of which is preferable to entrust to specialists. These defects relate directly to the metal-plastic structure and include the following.

  1. Defects in the sealing material in the sash that opens.
  2. Defects in thermal insulation along the contour of the entire window.
  3. Malfunctions of window fittings or mechanisms.

The first point: you will need to insulate the ebbs and slopes of plastic windows from the outside, and this, of course, is not so easy to do, especially if we are talking about an apartment located above the second floor. Second: hand-made insulation will be a direct violation of the warranty conditions of both the manufacturer and the installer. Third: the quality of work will be guaranteed by hired specialists. Finally, the fourth important point: when performing repair work, professionals will use “original” fittings and window materials.

But if House master has sufficient experience and knowledge, he will only need high-quality instructions on how to insulate double-glazed windows in order to select the most suitable technology for specific conditions. As for the thermal insulation of the window frame contour, this procedure can be done with your own hands. Moreover, you can insulate ebbs, slopes and window sills yourself. Today we will find out how to do this, but first, let's take care of all the materials necessary for the work.

As a conclusion

As a result, I would like to focus your attention on one more simple thing: if due to a double-glazed window it is lost thermal energy, then one of structural elements system has failed. And if you fix the problem, the window will again “acquire” the previously lost characteristics.

In fact, as noted above, insulation of window structures should be done at the installation stage. Of course, in this case, the total cost of each window will increase significantly (by about a third), since the price of thermal insulation material and work will be added to it (if they are not done by hand). But the operational life of the entire structure will be extended. Moreover, you will not have to subsequently dismantle the windows (inside and outside).

As for full thermal insulation, it is only necessary for the slopes and, perhaps, the window sill. No other measures to insulate the window are necessary in this case. Double-glazed windows already boast high-quality protection from the cold, since they were originally designed to provide a comfortable microclimate in the room.

Windows account for a fifth to a third of all heat loss in a home, so the comfort of all household members depends on their thermal insulation. Despite the ubiquity of sealed windows, old wooden windows have not yet left our apartments and are unlikely to do so in the next few years. They are certainly good in many respects, but have low thermal insulation qualities, and therefore require modernization. Let's consider everything possible ways carry out insulation wooden windows with your own hands, from the most budgetary to the more expensive and most effective. The text of the article was prepared with the support of specialists from the Moscow company "RemSila" specializing in the provision of insulation services for wooden windows of any type using high-quality consumables made in Europe (rubber seal, adhesive sealant). You can learn more about the company’s services at the link http://oknoremsila.ru/uteplenie-derevynnih-okon/ ( services are relevant for Moscow).

Why, given the wild popularity of modern Euro-windows? with sealed double-glazed windows ordinary old wooden windows are still in use in thousands and millions of apartments? Among the main reasons:

  • the cost of plastic windows, doubts about their harmlessness, in addition, sometimes plastic windows themselves;
  • the ability of wooden windows to provide natural ventilation;
  • living in houses of high historical and architectural value, where replacing old windows is not permitted;
  • lack of desire and ability to carry out repairs, even minor ones, after replacing windows;
  • accommodation in a rented apartment.

Despite their many advantages, old-style wooden windows do not provide adequate thermal insulation. This was noticed by our ancestors, who developed many ways to deal with their insufficient tightness. More modern solutions have been added to the old-fashioned solutions, so we have plenty to choose from.

No. 1. Where does the insulation of wooden windows begin?

Insulation of old wooden windows begins with examining the structure for detection of cold bridges, i.e. the main routes of cold air entering the apartment. It is important to find all the weak points in order to carry out comprehensive insulation. The main cold bridges in wooden windows include:

  • the junction of the window frame and sash;
  • wood from which the frame is made;
  • glass;
  • slopes, and low tide.

It is better to insulate the slopes, ebb and window sill from the outside, the remaining elements require insulation from the inside, so you will have to work hard to turn an old wooden window into an airtight one that meets current comfort requirements.

If the window inspection and its insulation are carried out efficiently, you can count on an increase in the temperature in the apartment by 3-4 0 C if you are connected to a centralized one, or on significant cost savings if you use individual heating. In addition, it will be possible to get rid of drafts. back side medals - cessation of natural air circulation. This problem is also typical for sealed plastic windows. Its solution is periodic ventilation or installation, which allows you to regulate the amount of fresh air entering the apartment.

Get ready for what's to come effective insulation You will have to use several of the methods described below. Let's start with the technologies that are used for internal insulation.

No. 2. Insulation of windows with paper

Most ancient, simple and inexpensive way . Today it is rarely used, but it is suitable if the budget is very limited. Exists several variations this method of insulation:


The classic old recipe involves gluing paper insulation strips of fabric or paper. To keep them well, they were moistened with a solution laundry soap or used homemade paste. The latter can be obtained by mixing water and flour in equal proportions, stirring well and bringing the resulting mixture to a boil.

More modern version- use masking tape or special window tape. In this case, the task is simplified, but costs still remain. Those insulated with paper cannot be opened for ventilation if it suddenly gets warmer in the middle of winter. In the spring you will have to remove the strips of paper/fabric/adhesive tape and take out the insulation. On window frames ah, noticeable marks remain, sometimes even some of the paint is removed, so no update decorative covering, alas, there is no way around it. However, fabric and self-adhesive paper are easier to remove everything and leave a minimum of traces.

No. 3. Insulation with cotton wool

Instead of paper, you can use cotton wool - there are fewer problems, and the thermal insulation qualities are almost the same. All cracks are carefully covered with cotton wool, and strips of paper, fabric or tape are glued on top. The disadvantages of this method are the same as the previous one, but it is much easier to get the cotton wool out of the cracks.

No. 4. Insulation with linen cord

The gaps can be filled with linen cotton cord. They fix it with small nails or glue, and a fairly good level of sealing is achieved, but in the spring you will have to devote a lot of time to dismantling the insulation.

No. 5. Insulation of a wooden window with foam rubber and sealant

A much more modern, reliable and effective way of insulation is to use foam tape and sealing cords.

Foam tape It will be inexpensive, but its service life is only about 2 years. This method of insulation is optimal when sufficiently large gaps have formed between the sashes and the frame. The installation process itself is simple, but labor-intensive, since everything needs to be accurately measured and carefully glued so that the window is well insulated, but at the same time does not stop closing normally. The main advantage of the method– ability to open the window.

The process of insulation with foam tape comes down to the following:


Insulation made using sealing cords. They are made from different materials:


Main advantage rubber seal- price, but when the temperature drops, it can harden and break. In addition, rubber is highly wear-resistant, so it is best chosen for windows that constantly open and close. Although other types of cords are more expensive, they perform much better in terms of operation.

Sealing cords are made different shapes– the choice depends on the size of the gaps in the window structure:


Tubular seals allow achieving sufficient high level sealing, do not interfere with the free opening of the window, can remain in the summer and serve for several seasons in a row. The seal may have self-adhesive backing and then its installation will be identical to the installation of foam rubber tapes described above. If you take such a seal, pay attention to the shelf life of the glue: if it comes to an end, the cord may either not stick at all or quickly peel off.

It is most reliable to take a separate seal and separate glue for it, which can be used as silicone. In this case, the durability of the insulation reaches 5 years.

There is one more nuance. All work with tubular profiles is carried out at temperatures above +10 0 C, so it is better not to delay until cold weather. The seal must be glued very carefully so as not to disrupt the opening system of the sashes.

No. 6. Insulation of wooden windows using Swedish technology

This the most progressive, modern and effective method . Insulated by Swedish technology the windows are actually are equal in level of tightness to modern plastic windows. This method also involves the use of a seal, only for it special grooves are prepared in the window sashes.

Swedish insulation technology involves the following procedure:

The durability of such insulation is 15-20 years, therefore, the labor intensity and high price of the method are completely justified. It is worth carrying out such work independently only if you have at least a little experience in carpentry, otherwise you can only make things worse. The easiest way, of course, is to entrust all the work to specialists.

Windows insulated using Swedish technology can be opened at any time of the year; appearance does not spoil, but Sound insulation can be considered an additional bonus.

No. 7. Insulating a wooden window with sealant

This method is aimed at thermal insulation of the junction of glass and sash, can be done with your own hands, but will require a high degree of care and precision. The procedure is as follows:

  • removing glazing beads, thin slats that hold the glass around the perimeter. During dismantling, almost all glazing beads break, so it is better to buy new ones in advance, and with a reserve. Removal begins with the lower bead, then the side ones are removed, and only then the top one; for this it is convenient to use a small knife or screwdriver;
  • the seat inside the sash is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust;
  • applying silicone sealant and installing the glass in place. All work on dismantling and installing glass is carried out wearing thick gloves;
  • installation of new glazing beads.

Instead of sealant you can use putty for windows. The procedure remains the same, only after installing the glass, excess putty must be immediately removed with a knife. In terms of aesthetics, this method is no worse, since subsequently the joint will still be covered with a new bead.

As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, you notice a draft moving through your apartment. Placing your hand near the window on a windy night, you find a source of painful coolness. Stop putting up with this and sleep under three blankets! There are many ways to insulate windows. They range from simple to complex, from practically free to quite expensive, from "old-fashioned" methods to modern technologies. In this longread we tried to collect the most effective methods.

Before taking drastic action, let's consider possible reasons draft coming from the windows. It would seem that wooden windows, due to their material, retain more heat, and plastic ones - a relatively new achievement of science and technology - are simply designed for heat and sound insulation. Then why can they allow a draft into our house?

  1. Unfortunately, poor-quality window installation is quite common. Sometimes workers installation companies Those who call themselves professionals have a very superficial understanding of the installation of window units.
  2. The second reason may be partly related to the first - an attempt to save money on installing plastic windows. Companies often reduce the price by saving on insulation, foam, and the installation itself. Subsequently, low-quality windows are much more expensive due to the need to additionally insulate them.
  3. Even if cold air doesn't leak through the gaps, the windows themselves may be to blame, like the old "single-pane" windows that provide only a thin glass barrier between the house and the outdoors, but not cozy warmth.
  4. The skew of the window and the loose fit of the window frame to the wall also threaten heat loss. Sometimes this occurs due to deformation of the building, which especially often happens in old wooden houses.

It's wise to start by diagnosing the situation. Determine the most critical places from which the wind blows. Where does the cold come from: from the window sill or window sashes? Maybe the problem is a worn-out seal or poor-quality slopes?

To determine the exact location from which cold air is blowing, you can simply run your hand over the surface of the window unit. If you cannot identify the problem in this way, light a candle or lighter and move it around the frame - the fire is more sensitive to drafts.

Look at the windows when it rains. Moisture accumulated in a certain place will indicate gaps and cracks. When moisture accumulates in the corner of a window or along one of its edges, the problem is likely in the joints. Moisture that accumulates in the middle of the window panel may indicate some type of crack in the glass.

Perhaps the wind is blowing due to a poor-quality seal. Try placing a piece of paper in an open window and closing the window completely. If the paper pulls out easily as soon as you pull the corner of the sheet, it means that the seal is not pressed well against the frame.

Before you choose an insulation method from among those available, it is worth thinking about the goals of the insulation. It's clear that temperature control is a major concern, but what compromises are you willing to make? Will you be able to refuse in favor of cheapness? beautiful view, limit the flow of light or block access to a window?

You also need to consider cost. Some materials cost almost nothing: say, sealant can be bought for a couple of hundred rubles. More reliable and durable solutions will cost more and may require specialist help, but in the long term they may be a worthy investment.

Should I ask for help or insulate the windows myself?

To insulate your windows, you basically have only two options: do all the work yourself or turn to a professional. With your own hands, you can simply insulate a window sill, frame contour, window opening indoors, or replace the seal. If any defect appears during the warranty period, the installer company will have to eliminate all problems. In addition, it is worth resorting to the help of installers if external insulation work is required, and the window is located at a significant height - its replacement or renovation work may be associated with an increased risk, and experts know exactly how to properly insulate plastic windows from the outside.

It is worth remembering that it is better to insulate windows before the onset of winter - then the working conditions will be more comfortable. In addition, sealants and some others Construction Materials can only be used in a certain temperature range, otherwise they lose their properties.

How to insulate plastic windows with your own hands

If you need to insulate a window opening, then polyurethane foam will do. As it expands, it fills the voids in the opening and prevents air movement. However, foam is a short-lived material that is susceptible to low temperatures and is suitable for small gaps. Also a popular insulation material is mineral wool, with heat and sound insulation. It is resistant to high temperatures and easy to install.

Insulating window frames will also help. silicone sealant. When working with it, it is best to use an inexpensive tool - a lever syringe. The sealant also blocks moisture, making the windows resistant to mold and mildew. It is also worth choosing a transparent sealant - this way it will not be noticeable if it accidentally gets on the glass.

Before you apply caulk or expansion foam, it's worth checking exactly how much it expands - to determine this, apply a small drop to the corner of the window.

Another “cheap and cheerful” method is to plug the cracks in the windows with industrial wool and then seal them with masking tape. Previously, instead of tape, they used fabric or paper strips with a paste of laundry soap. But when using this option, its fragility is obvious, and it will not completely get rid of blowing.

A good and inexpensive insulation for plastic windows is foam rubber: the financial costs will be minimal. Remove the film from the adhesive surface of the insulation and press the foam rubber insulation for windows into the required places. With the onset of warming it is very easy to remove. However, if moisture gets in, the insulation may lose its seal.

How to insulate the slopes of plastic windows

To insulate the slopes of plastic windows, you can use the most different materials– sandwich panels, plasterboard, polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. However, polystyrene foam is the most fragile of the listed materials and tends to accumulate moisture. If it is necessary to insulate a window from the outside, dry mixtures for finishing slopes will help.

First you need to carefully treat the cracks - eliminate possible contamination and delete the old one polyurethane foam. If you have chosen drywall to insulate the slopes, then the sequence of actions is as follows:

  • cut blanks from plasterboard required sizes and treat with a moisture-resistant primer, wait until the workpieces dry;
  • insert plasterboard sheets in the slot;
  • fill the small gaps remaining between the drywall and the wall with polyurethane foam;
  • after the foam has hardened, we finish redecorating primer and paint.

External insulation work is carried out at temperatures up to +5 ° C, otherwise building materials may lose some of their properties.

You can use a special heat-saving film to insulate windows. It transmits light into the room and at the same time does not “release” infrared radiation. Such a film not only protects the warmth of our home, but also helps to get rid of the effect of “crying windows”, that is, from. Also, windows on which heat-saving film is glued are characterized by greater strength. Before starting work, it is important to wash the glass, treat it with a degreasing agent and wipe it dry. Next, you need to stick the film so that its “metal” side faces the street. The film is glued not only to the glass itself, but also with an overlap to the frame. Some manufacturers make films on a self-adhesive basis, but some types of film require adhesive tape. To prevent bubbles and wrinkles on the film, use a household hair dryer.

A simple and inexpensive life hack that will help cope with drafts is to attach bubble film to the window. Choose film with larger bubbles as it tends to handle cold air better. Trim the bubble wrap so that it extends slightly over the window frame. Spray the window with water from a spray bottle, then “glue” a sheet of cut wrapping film onto the wet glass. You can reinforce it with double-sided tape. The “bumpy” side should face the glass. The film should adhere easily and remain in place for several months. If desired, you can apply a double layer of film for better thermal insulation. The only negative is that this method blocks the view from the window, but light will nevertheless enter the room.

Sew plain fabric so that it matches the width of the window. Fill it with some loose, dense substance such as sand, rice or polyester, then place it along the bottom of the window. In this case, heavy materials (denim, corduroy) will retain cold air more effectively than light materials (cotton, knitwear, etc.).

Replace the seal

If the problem is a worn seal, you can replace it yourself by selecting a suitable one hardware store. It is also better to choose a black sealant: black color - natural color rubber, and impurities of other colors can spoil the quality of the product. After the old seal is removed, you need to clean the grooves from dust and dirt, treat the corners of the frame with glue and trim off the excess with scissors. The resulting joint also needs to be treated with glue.

People have been using wooden windows for a very long time, so the question “How to insulate old wooden windows?” there are many answers.

  • Very old way, which our grandparents used, was covering wooden windows with newspapers. They were soaked in water and plugged into cracks. The space between the glass and the frame was sealed with paper strips. Of course, “paper will endure anything,” and you can survive the winter with it, but removing newspaper particles in the spring will be very problematic. In addition to the banal inconvenience, there is also a risk of damaging the window covering.
  • If old windows need to be insulated quickly, and the aesthetic side of the issue is not very important to you, ordinary paper is also suitable. To make paper putty, you can shred old newspapers, soak them in water, add clay or crushed chalk and seal the cracks with the resulting composition. To secure the window putty, simply use tape. However, this method is short-lived and will most likely last only one season.
  • Foam rubber - regular or tubular - can be used as insulation for wooden windows. It will be effective if the wooden doors have already dried out and do not fit tightly to the frame. Previously, foam rubber was nailed down with small nails, but now you can use regular masking tape. This material can serve faithfully for a couple of years, then it will begin to deform and will need to be replaced.
  • When insulating wooden windows, you can also use sealant. It is necessary to remove the wooden beads holding the glass using a screwdriver, apply sealant and install the beads back - preferably new ones, since old ones often break during dismantling.
  • Wood tends to crack. Therefore, the frame is often covered with a network of small cracks through which heat can escape. To seal them, you will need to clean the glass units from the decorative coating, fill the cracks with melted paraffin, homemade putty, sealant or special putty, and then re-coat the frame with paint or varnish.