droughty windows- what can i do to stop it?

jeffy22

I have just moved into a new flat and there is a nasty draught through the big bay window. I think i'm going to be really cold in winter, apart from thick curtains what can to stop the draughts ( i remember someone at uni had this clingfilm stuff on their windows which insulated them.. is this still available?)

McKneff

You can still buy the clingfilm stuff at Wilkinsons.

brig001

First you need to find where the draught is coming from. It could be under the window cill, in which case decorators caulk or silicone would work, it could be from the seals on the opening parts of the windows, this may need the seals replacing/window adjusting or just tape over the crack as a temporary solution. It could even be blowing up from under the skirting board, so caulk would fix this.

Try a joss stick to help locate the draught and work from there.
HTH, Brian.

VoucherMan

jeffy22 wrote: »

droughty windows- what can i do to stop it?

Apply water.
Avoid using hosepipe as likely to be banned in drought conditions:D

jeffy22

McKneff wrote: »

You can still buy the clingfilm stuff at Wilkinsons.

does this stuff actually work as i only have single glazed windows?

dannymccann

Lick the back of your hand and hold it up to where the draughts could be coming from. When you find one apply some sellotape or something as a quick fix and either leave it on there until you move out or use solutions above as a more long term thing. If its rented make sure its tidy and unnoticeable otherwise you will lose your deposit!

googler

If it's a gap in a fixed part of the window, apply silicone sealant to match the paintwork (hopefully white)

If it's a gap in the moving parts of the window, take some measures to fill the gap, whether by placing some fabric or similar over the inside, or applying window sealing strip (available at good DIY merchants) in the gap.

If you have any movable heaters in the flat, place them near the window so that the cold air coming in meets the warm air from the heater and reduces the effect of the draught.

I used to know someone in a similar situation, and their flat still had working wooden shutters. He closed those, and you could literally feel the temperature rising within a minute or so. Even if your flat doesn't have these, you can apply the same principle. Cut some hardboard to the same size as the window, fit handles to it for ease of handling, and fit something to clip it into place. Place it over the window and feel the difference.

iamcornholio

You need to determine if the draughts are from the frame joints or the opening casements .... or if they are just natural thermal currents being confused with air blowing in.

You can cure the first two issues with sealant and/or foam draught strips. Thermal currents ill require secondary glazing

Cling film type secondary glazing is a crap idea. It prevents you using the windows, and allows condensation to collect and mould to grow between the film and the glass

McKneff

jeffy22 wrote: »

does this stuff actually work as i only have single glazed windows?

It works brilliantly, it acts like double glazing.

Many years ago, even before they commercialized it we lived in a single glazed house, (no central heating either, I kid you not, the windows had ice on the inside) of the front windows) in the country, facing north.
My OH found some big sheets of it and we cut it down to fit the individual windows, stuck it to the frames with some industrial tape, and it worked a treat.