Properly insulating your home is essential in winter in order to maintain a certain comfort of life in each room. Often overlooked, window insulation plays an essential role in limiting heat loss. Discover its importance and everything you need to know to properly insulate your windows and face winter in the best possible way.

Why is it necessary to insulate windows properly?

Properly insulating your windows is as important as insulating your doors, walls, and roof. The aim is to keep the heat in each room as much as possible. In fact, the slightest sealing problem at the level of these openings can cause heat to escape to the outside, allowing the cold to enter the house.

As a result, the room will never be heated properly and your heaters will have to work longer in order to make up for this permanent heat loss. In the end, your electricity bill will be higher compared to what it would have been with good insulation and your heating devices will last less time, since they will be in greater demand.

Criteria and standards to be respected concerning window insulation

Insulating your windows doesn't just happen any way. As in other European countries, you must respect norms and standards in order to qualify your windows as “insulated”. To do this, they will have to comply with the NAFS standard to be in compliance with the National Building Code. Air and water tightness as well as wind resistance are the main criteria that define whether a window is perfectly insulated or not.

This is why it is essential to call on professionals if you plan to optimize the insulation of your windows. Only they have the know-how to install windows according to standards and to develop the insulation system that is perfectly adapted to your region and the climatic conditions where you live.

How to insulate windows?

There are various ways to insulate your windows. The first consists in installing the insulation without replacing them, then the second consists in completely replacing them to make them compliant.

Insulate the window without replacing it

This first option saves you from completely replacing your windows and will therefore cost you less. It may be possible if the openings are relatively recent. All you have to do is have various insulating materials installed. Here are a few of them:

Double glazing

If you have a single-glazed window and the carpentry is still in excellent condition, you can simply replace the glazing with a double one. The difference between the two is that single glazing consists of a single pane of glass. Being thinner, it is more sensitive to temperature variations and noises. Double glazing is more effective thanks to its double layer of glass with an air or gas zone in the middle. This reduces noise pollution at the same time, but limits heat loss.

Insulating joints

You may also decide to replace the insulating gaskets on your windows if they start to age. A joint that loses efficiency will allow air and possibly humidity to pass through, which will allow mold to develop in your windows. Whether made of silicone, rubber, metal, or foam, caulk seals are easily replaceable. They are also inexpensive.

Insulating films

Another option that is inexpensive and quick to set up. The insulating film sticks directly to the glass inside the room and offers additional insulation, but does not represent a solution in its own right. This material is recommended if your house has single-glazed windows. This film is transparent and offers good protection against cold, heat and UV rays. However, it is not very durable and you will have to change it often.

Insulating curtains

Insulated curtains are also another option that is easy to install and that saves you from doing expensive work on your windows. These devices serve as a barrier against cold and drafts. Nevertheless, thermal curtains are only a complementary solution to the other methods already proposed.

Replace the existing window

On the other hand, if your windows are relatively old and the installation of the above insulation devices could be difficult, then you will have to replace your windows. This solution is more expensive, but you ensure that heat loss is completely eliminated.

If you choose this solution, you have two options. The first consists in completely replacing the window, including the frame. It is the fixed part that supports the moving part of the window. The second is to keep the frame, but to replace only the moving part. However, be sure to check the condition of the carpentry of your frame.

In any case, call in a professional to replace your windows. This will prevent you from creating thermal bridges by accident. It will also help you choose the best materials to use, allowing you to save money without compromising insulation quality.

The different insulation materials for your windows

Since we are talking about the types of insulation materials for your windows, let's take a look at the different types in detail. There are generally 3 types of materials dedicated to framing your windows, namely:

• PVC: this material is made from plastic. It offers excellent thermal and sound insulation and requires no maintenance. Plus, it's the cheapest on the market. On the other hand, it is not recyclable, which gives it a poor grade in terms of ecology;
• Wood: wood is widely used to make doors and windows and offers excellent sound and thermal insulation. However, solid wood is expensive and requires regular maintenance and specific treatment to withstand bad weather;
• Aluminum: its thermal performance is lower than that of PVC and wood. However, it does not require any maintenance and can be recycled.