The Best Low-Cost Ways to Insulate Windows for Winter

We’ve all heard that time-honored bit of advice: if you’re cold, put on a sweater. But sometimes chilly homes aren’t a matter of personal preference, but a reflection of poor window insulation. The best way to improve your window insulation is to buy new windows. Energy-efficient windows with gas-filled insulation can prevent drafts while also keeping the heat where it belongs. However, replacing all the windows in your home can be pricey. Luckily, there are ways to improve your wintertime window performance and limit drafts—without a hefty investment. Here are the best low-cost ways to insulate windows for winter.

Re-Caulk or Re-Seal to Insulate Windows for Winter

Many window insulation problems can be resolved by re-caulking or re-sealing around the glass. That’s especially true if the existing seals appear to be visibly cracked or if you can feel air entering when you stand by the window. For the cost of a tube of caulk and a razor blade, you can scrape out the old caulk and redo it in less than an afternoon.

How to Caulk Windows

Want to take on this DIY project? Here's how to tell which windows need new caulk and how to apply the fix.

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Air Seal Windows With Foam Tape for Better Insulation

Caulking windows will help you root out many sources of air infiltration, but it obviously won’t work everywhere. After all, you can’t exactly seal your windows shut! Double-sided foam tape provides a little extra protection against the cold on those moving parts. Most modern vinyl window frames now come with fiber weatherseal along the top and bottom of the sash. But it becomes compressed over time, allowing drafts inside. A neat layer of double-sided foam weather-stripping across the the top and bottom provides the fix — and an affordable way to beat the wind.

Install Low-E Storm Windows Over the Existing Frames for Better Insulation

Storm windows are an investment, but they’re a lot more affordable than brand new windows. Storm windows with a low-E glass coating cost somewhere between $60 to $200 a window, on average, which is significantly less than you’d spend on a new window installation. And because they fit over the exterior of the window, they’re easy for homeowners to install on their own, without the help of a professional remodeler. And they could shave as much as 33% off your annual energy bills!

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Insulate Windows by Installing Plastic Film Around the Glass

We love this tip because it’s so cheap! Plastic film, whether self-adhesive or shrink-wrapped to the window with a hairdryer, is a a low-cost way to insulate windows and protect against cold coming through the glass. Again, the long-term solution is to have the windows replaced, especially since they’re probably allowing heat in during the summer as well. However, this provides a nice stopgap until you can get a new set.

Insulate Windows for Winter With Bubble Wrap

If you don’t care much about looks, there’s another, cheaper way to do the plastic wrap thing: tape plastic bubble wrap over your windows. Use heavy-duty packing tape and make sure to lay the ends flat to create a good seal. Cheap, easy, and toasty!

Invest in Thermal Curtains for Better Window Insulation

One final way you can insulate windows for winter is to hang a set of insulating thermal curtains. They have a thin piece of foam between two layers of fabric, making them extra tough on wayward drafts and chills. These curtains are fairly affordable — you can find the panels for under $20 a piece. But you can achieve a similar effect using heavy curtains in a thick weave. Basically anything that traps the cold is a good bet, and every bit as effective as a sweater!