As we get set to endure yet another long and sweltering summer, it’s becoming more important than ever that we make sure our homes are as energy efficient as possible. Drafty homes put extra strain on both our energy grids and our monthly energy bills. One of the most important considerations when talking about energy efficiency is the windows.
Older windows generally aren’t as efficient as new ones and replacing them can get expensive in a hurry. That’s why so many people are turning to window inserts for insulation. They are an affordable option that allows us to increase energy efficiency without buying a whole new set of windows.
If you’re new to the world of energy efficient window inserts, you may be unfamiliar with all the benefits they provide. Let’s look at what window inserts are, how they work, and how they can help make our homes considerably more comfortable.
What are Window Inserts?
Window inserts are custom cut panes of glass that fit snugly into our existing window frames. They come standard in all the most common window shapes and sizes, but can also be custom cut to fit snugly in all our odd shaped and bespoke windows. Inserts provide our dated windows with some of the soundproofing and energy efficiency benefits associated with modern windows without getting involved in a large remodeling project.
How Window Inserts Work
Window inserts are chosen by size to match our existing window frames and pressed snugly into place. This provides the additional glass pane and air gap that makes new windows so efficient. Snapping them into our existing frames eliminates the need for expensive renovations.
Inserts are a simple and effective means of improving the energy efficiency surrounding our old windows, but installing them is far more than just a band-aid solution. Done right, they can extend the lives of our beautiful vintage windows for a few more years or decades.
Benefits of Using Window Inserts to Improve Efficiency
If you’re considering a set of energy efficient window inserts to help keep your home more comfortable and energy efficient, there are some really great reasons to do so. From preserving the vintage look of our historic windows to reducing sound transmission, there’s a lot to love.
A Window Insert’s Insulation Ability is Amazing
One of the biggest reasons people turn to window inserts is for their insulation ability. Better seals paired with more glass and air gaps help with soundproofing and increasing energy efficiency. Everyone is sure to love both of these benefits tied to the window insert’s insulation ability.
Effective Noise Reduction
The addition of an extra glass pane and an air gap between it and the original pane combine to vastly decrease the amount of sound transmission on an old set of windows. That noise reduction is another reason choosing window inserts for their insulation ability keeps us happier and more comfortable in the spaces where we spend the bulk of our time.
Effective Thermal Insulation
A window insert’s added insulation is also a big help in reducing heating costs and cooling costs. If your current set is drafty enough, a set of window inserts may pay for themselves in just a few short years of energy savings. Plus, you’ll be doing something good for the earth by running your HVAC system less often.
Energy Efficiency is Good for the Earth
Running our homes eats up a lot of energy, and reducing the amount we consume takes a lot of strain off the energy grid. When our homes are well-sealed and our thermostats are set to auto, our furnace and AC units may hardly run all day. These little steps are good for both the environment and our wallets.
Lower Cost than New Windows
A benefit that most of us can get behind is the cost savings associated with choosing window inserts over a new set of double or triple glazed windows. Not only are the materials substantially cheaper, but the fact that home and business owners can install window inserts without hiring laborers drops the entire cost of installation considerably.
Window Inserts Allow Us to Keep Vintage Windows
If you live or work in a historic building, you know how important original windows are to the look of the space. When the room gets drafty and you notice an increase in noise or your heating and cooling bills, fitting those windows with inserts can solve your energy efficiency problems and allow you to keep your vintage windows.
Potential Drawbacks of Window Inserts
We’ve covered some amazing benefits of going with soundproof window inserts, such as window inserts’ insulation potential and the ability to hold on to our vintage windows, but there are some characteristics that may present potential drawbacks for some people.
Opening Windows Requires Removal
Window inserts are built as a single, framed pane of glass to provide top notch thermal insulation and noise reduction. But that trait also means we must remove window inserts when we want to let some fresh air in. Window inserts do remove easily, but it’s one extra step for those who enjoy routinely opening and closing all the windows on the floor or in the room.
Many Window Inserts Won’t Work With All Frame Types
A window inserts insulation potential is directly tied to its ability to fit snugly into the existing window frame. If your old set of windows is fitted with vinyl frames, those frames may lack the strength to support your window inserts. This could potentially present a safety issue or a broken glass pane. Window inserts tend to work best when paired with wood or metal window frames.
Additionally, if your current frames are pretty damaged or worn out, they may not be equipped to hold the inserts snugly. If one of your main drivers is reducing cooling costs, this is going to be an issue. In most cases, you can still install window inserts on these windows, but you may have to do some prep work on the frames before you can get started.
Alternative Insulation Options
Just because you are noticing a light draft or a little noise coming from your windows, that doesn’t mean they have exceeded their useful lives. Sometimes it just takes a little attention to a few details to bring new life back to that old set of windows. Let’s look at some things we can do to improve window insulation on an old set.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
If you notice any gaps or cracks around the perimeter of your windows, these are spots where sound and thermal energy can easily escape. As a general rule, anywhere water could pass through, a sound wave or cool breeze can also pass through. Sealing up these gaps with an acoustical caulk will work wonders in keeping you comfortable.
Acoustical caulk is made of latex, rather than the silicone that’s most common in other types of caulk. That latex is what allows it to remain permanently flexible. As window frames expand and contract during temperature and humidity swings, things can shift. Acoustical caulk will flex with those structural shifts, but silicone caulk will eventually crack or break free from the surface.
Install Acoustical Curtains
Another product that carries some weight as far as both energy efficiency and noise control is the acoustical curtain. These heavy weight curtains mount on the same hardware as traditional curtains, but their increased thickness works overtime absorbing sound waves and blocking light. Here’s how they do it.
Acoustical curtains are much more absorptive than standard curtains due to increased mass and density in the fabric. This allows acoustical curtains to trap sound waves by absorbing them into the curtain and transforming the vibrational energy in the sound waves into heat energy. This process is called sound damping, and it’s one of the most effective concepts in the world of sound control.
They also often come with a reflective backing on the window side, which allows us to use them as blackout curtains when necessary. Blackout curtains can help keep rooms cooler during the heat of the day, which takes a little of the load off our AC units. Acoustical curtains are no match for a window insert’s insulation ability, but every little bit helps.
Choosing Your Solution to Maximizing Home Energy Efficiency
Not all solutions work well for everyone. In order to determine whether window inserts or a new set of full frame windows is right for your situation, you’ll need to really evaluate your needs. If your current windows are more or less completely shot, a new set may save you money in the long run. If there’s still a little life in that old set, window inserts may deliver comparable energy efficiency improvements at a fraction of the cost.
You’ll also need to decide whether or not your old windows are worth saving. There’s a difference between a cheap set of old vinyl windows and custom vintage windows handcrafted from local hardwoods. For those worth saving, a window insert’s insulation value can make them perform like a brand new set. If you’d like to learn more about the options for maximizing your home’s energy efficiency, reach out for a consultation.
