draughty/drafty windows help?
May 4th, 2010 | 
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I rent a flat and the windows are so drafty. I saw thermal blackout blinds would they help? Any pointers on cheap draught excluders for all around the window not just the bottom.
You can buy plastic sheeting that is designed to go over the windows. You attach it to the window moldings with double sided tape. Here’s the really cool part, if you heat it with a hairdyer it tightens itself like a drum – so there are no ripples in the plastic.
I used to use the stuff every year in my old apartment… works great and it’s cheap.
http://www.acehardware.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2627449&cp=
Posted in draught excluders
You can get some fluffy tape stuff to go around the windows, its self adhesive and doesn’t cost much at all. It comes on an roll. You should be able to get it from any DIY shop.
Vik
References :
If they’re old wooden single glazing windows then you are probably limited to filling in the gaps.
Put filler in any cracks in the wall around the window; Polyfilla is the best known brand.
Wood filler can be used to fill in any cracks in the wood.
You should also check for rot as rotting window frames will get draughty. Wet rot is rather obvious; it makes paint fall off and it turns the wood rather spongy and wet. Dry rot is more difficult because there are many different flavours! See the links.
References :
http://www.safeguardeurope.com/applications/dry_rot.php
http://www.buildingpreservation.com/Rots.htm
You can buy plastic sheeting that is designed to go over the windows. You attach it to the window moldings with double sided tape. Here’s the really cool part, if you heat it with a hairdyer it tightens itself like a drum – so there are no ripples in the plastic.
I used to use the stuff every year in my old apartment… works great and it’s cheap.
http://www.acehardware.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2627449&cp=
References :
B&Q do a film that you can buy that goes over your window. It comes with tape to stick it to the wood and all you need to put it on is scissors to cut the tape and a hairdryer. These help lots but there is a slight down fall you cant open the window once its on! However they are cheap and cheerful to replace. Also you can buy a foam seal to put around the window from B&Q also. If you can afford it invest in a good blind and heavy curtains. Failing that get the landlord to put a double glazed window in and tell him he can get one of those from B&Q also!!! Maybe the window will be cheaper than curtains, blinds and film.
The link shows a draught excluder but if you can call in a B&Q store and explain to them what Ive typed they will be able to help. The other links are for a rough idea of cost as I don’t know how big the window is. If your not in the UK then Im sorry my links may not be of any help.
References :
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9273814&fh_view_size=6&fh_start_index=6&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=draught&fh_eds=%C3%9F&fh_refview=search&ts=1233621243866&isSearch=true
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Solid-Insulated-Thermal-84-inch-Blackout-Curtains/2946005/product.html?cid=133635
you can buy window sized shrink to fit window film from Lowe’s in the hardware department buy the weather stripping. It comes with its own tape to install it and you just hold the hair drier to it for a few seconds and you can’t even tell its there.
References :
It shows you here how to put draft strips around the window.
Casement windows:
http://www.handymanknowhow.co.uk/savingenergy/draft%20proofing%20sash%20windows.htm
References :