How to seal and/or weatherize windows?

In addition to covering it with plastic hang insulated curtains over the windows for additional help. https://rstyle.me/n/dacghhcc4s7

Hello Laura! Did you use the plastic insulation window kits--two brands are 3M and Duck. And did you apply the plastic directly to the windows? I think if you just tried to apply the plastic to the windows it would not work well. If you apply the plastic to the wood frame trim that goes around the window area--on the wall--trim area by your curtain rods--you should have good luck keeping drafts out. You could also apply some stick on foam insulation strips in any inside grooves in the window unit--where the window would slide up and down--if I look at your last picture I can see what looks like spray foam--that is the area where you could apply the strips--they come on a roll and there is different sizes. You could do that before you used the plastic. I bet these old windows are very cold and drafty!!! Brrrrr

If you can feel air coming in around the edges of the window or you can see light, then use caulking. I always wet my finger and smooth with the tip of my index finger. There's probably a tool for it but I use the one I was born with.

Here's what we do,

First address the leaks by recaulking, or remove the old and put down new.

Then we apply bubble wrap directly to the window, make sure the window is clean, then moisten the glass with water-that is your adhesive. If it loosens during the winter, tewet, and stock it back on.

Finally, if ne ed ded, apply the window plastic window insulation kit, Duck or 3M.

Best to you, stay warm

Here is a way to seal your windows from the inside: https://www.arttec.net/Thermal-Windows/ I did this and ended up saving about $20 a month in electric and my apartment is less drafty and a lot warmer in the winter.

Easiest & cheapest way is Clear Caulk. Get squeese bottles rather than the ones you havta put in a gun to pump out. They're easier to handle. Squeeze a line around the perimeter of the window & the inner edges. Run your finger along it to smooth it out. Let it dry to seal your windows. It works on all windows & any area you feel a draft coming in. Also, get some peel-n-stick foam for under your doors. That will help winterize too. It comes in several sizes like the flaps for door bottoms or the foam fillers for around the door itself to fill in gaps between the door & the door facing.

When we bought our house every single window was aluminum single pane. But sometime earlier the previous owners had wooden frames built. Each was fitted with heavy, heavy clear plastic. There was a thin strip of stick-on foam tape around the outside of each wood frame. These were absolutely perfect!! The space between the window pane and the plastic layer acted as further insulation. I labelled each frame so i knew which window it was fitted to. We used these for 10 years before we had all the window replaced. I have no idea how long they were used before we bought the house, but I would guess at least 15 years.

I am also afraid of heights so understand. Here are a few things to try to prevent heat lose thru the window:

Insulated curtains

Check to see if you need new caulking around window frames

Wood shutters on the inside that are lined for more insulation

Close all curtains at night and open during the day

Bubble wrap or plastic works as a layer of insulation

I believe the product at Home Depot is made by Reflectix and called double reflective insulation.

We bought furring strips and made frames for every window. We then put the 3M window sealer on each frame. We used industrial velcro around every window and attached the othwr side to the frames. This is reusable every year!

There is a type of removable rope caulking available in any hardware store or Walmart. You can mold it to your window jambs and apron, which will seal the window from the inside. You can easily remove it if you need to open the window or in the spring.

We have old rattling windows and can not afford to replace them. We use rope caulking. It’s sort of like a clay rope. We press it in, around, under. Where ever there is a draft. We swear by this stuff and it fits the budget.

Come Spring we only remove what we need too, to open windows. Saves money come Fall.

Hope this helps.

Carolyn from NH

Thanks to all of you. I appreciate all your help and suggestions.

Yes you could get plastic to put on them and tape or you could get window kits from Home Depot you could get like plastic drop cloths cut to fit windows there like 2 dollers Home Depot then get clear tape and tape all 4 sides