Are there any cheap solutions for stopping heat loss through glass windows?

MoneyMon555

I intend to have some double glazed units replaced (not the whole frame, just the glass) at some point but cant afford it this year - and when I do, I hope to get something likely to stop heat loss more than my 25 yr old doubled glazing that has lost it's seal. I see various claims that this is possible.

But, in the mean-time, over winter, I am looking to find a cheap-ish way to make them lose less heat. I have heavy curtains for the evening , but was thinking of some kind of totally transparent film to add to them...are there any out there that are known to insulate? Or any other ideas that would still allow light in during the day? I don't really want to drill or modify the frames , so I guess some kind of 'stick-on' thing might work. As many of my friends did back in the day, I used to put cling film over the sash window frames at college , but it looked awful.

grumbler

MoneyMon555 said:

I intend to have some double glazed units replaced (not the whole frame, just the glass) at some point but cant afford it this year - and when I do, I hope to get something likely to stop heat loss more than my 25 yr old doubled glazing that has lost it's seal. I see various claims that this is possible.

So, is the problem with the units or with the seal?

MoneyMon555

grumbler said:

MoneyMon555 said:

I intend to have some double glazed units replaced (not the whole frame, just the glass) at some point but cant afford it this year - and when I do, I hope to get something likely to stop heat loss more than my 25 yr old doubled glazing that has lost it's seal. I see various claims that this is possible.

So, is the problem with the units or with the seal?

Apology for my lack of clarity - the seal has gone on some. 27 years old (windows, not me)

And by that , I mean there is condensation between the 2 panes occasionally 

Bendy_House

Hi MM.

Try a surf for 'temporary secondary glazing' and see what comes up (I haven't tried it myself yet).

On the 'failed seal' point, I understand that this will actually make very little difference to the insulation value of the DG units.

If the actual openers are not sealing, tho', then the resulting draughts could well make a noticeable difference.

chris_n

https://www.diy.com/departments/diall-clear-window-film-l-4000m-w-1-5m/1802835_BQ.prd

Ectophile

What you are asking for sounds like secondary glazing.

One type I don't recommend is heat-shrink plastic.  You stick it to the window frames and heat it with a hair dryer.  In reality, it rustles like a crisp packet on a windy day, until it comes unstuck and lets the cold air in.

I had more luck with semi-rigid plastic sheets.  I stuck them to the window frame with self-adhesive magnet strips.  The magnets allowed me to peel the glazing off for maintenance, or in summer.

BUFF

Bendy_House said:

Hi MM.

Try a surf for 'temporary secondary glazing' and see what comes up (I haven't tried it myself yet).

On the 'failed seal' point, I understand that this will actually make very little difference to the insulation value of the DG units.

If the actual openers are not sealing, tho', then the resulting draughts could well make a noticeable difference.

Imo 27 year old DGUs were likely to be simply filled with air rather than the argon/kryoton etc. that would now most commonly be used. As such the seal going, again imo, as Bendy_H suggested isn't likely to have much effect on the actual insulation value of the units albeit the condensation in between may be unsightly.

The best solution will be modern DGUs with low E coating filled with argon/krypton.
Decent secondary glazing will still cost you £hundreds to do a house even DIY so unless you are planning to keep that for years it's an expensive way of getting you through 1 or 2 winters.

MoneyMon555

BUFF said:

Bendy_House said:

Hi MM.

Try a surf for 'temporary secondary glazing' and see what comes up (I haven't tried it myself yet).

On the 'failed seal' point, I understand that this will actually make very little difference to the insulation value of the DG units.

If the actual openers are not sealing, tho', then the resulting draughts could well make a noticeable difference.

Imo 27 year old DGUs were likely to be simply filled with air rather than the argon/kryoton etc. that would now most commonly be used. As such the seal going, again imo, as Bendy_H suggested isn't likely to have much effect on the actual insulation value of the units albeit the condensation in between may be unsightly.

The best solution will be modern DGUs with low E coating filled with argon/krypton.
Decent secondary glazing will still cost you £hundreds to do a house even DIY so unless you are planning to keep that for years it's an expensive way of getting you through 1 or 2 winters.

I was planning on something along those lines for next year, I just cant afford it at the moment.

I was looking for a cheap way of giving a bit of insulation, but not keen on the idea of the heat shrink 'crisp wrapper' noise ...but beggars cant be choosers. I might try one and see if I could live with it for a while
Thanks all

Bendy_House

I have to 'fess, it was the thin-film idea I was thinking about when I suggested temp sec glaze.

I guess it shouldn't rustle if the actual window it's going on isn't draughty? - It should go nicely taut.

Wickes do one, and the reviews seem to be divided into 4/5 star "very pleased - very effective" to one-star from butter-fingered folk who ended up covering themselves rather than the windows.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Seasonal-Secondary-Glazing-Film---6m�/p/210014

chris_n

Bendy_House said:

I have to 'fess, it was the thin-film idea I was thinking about when I suggested temp sec glaze.

I guess it shouldn't rustle if the actual window it's going on isn't draughty? - It should go nicely taut.

Wickes do one, and the reviews seem to be divided into 4/5 star "very pleased - very effective" to one-star from butter-fingered folk who ended up covering themselves rather than the windows.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Seasonal-Secondary-Glazing-Film---6m�/p/210014

It works fine and there is no noise as long as there is no draught. If you are going to seal over an opening window and the seals aren't perfect tape over the seals first.

MoneyMon555

Bendy_House said:

I have to 'fess, it was the thin-film idea I was thinking about when I suggested temp sec glaze.

I guess it shouldn't rustle if the actual window it's going on isn't draughty? - It should go nicely taut.

Wickes do one, and the reviews seem to be divided into 4/5 star "very pleased - very effective" to one-star from butter-fingered folk who ended up covering themselves rather than the windows.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Seasonal-Secondary-Glazing-Film---6m�/p/210014

I think the reviews are equally mixed on the B&Q one.