This $15 Window Trick Keeps Heat Inside All Winter (But Only If You Seal the Edges), by George Handyman on YouTube. 11 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 11 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Measure the window opening and add at least 5 cm overlap on every side. Do not cut the cover to the exact glass size, since the overlap is what lets you seal the edges.
Cut three layers: a face fabric for the room side, a thick middle layer such as an old duvet or moving blanket, and a lining that faces the glass.
Sew or staple the three layers together around the border so the middle layer cannot shift or bunch up.
Fix the wooden batten across the top of the window frame, wider than the opening, and staple the top edge of the quilt to it along its full length.
Stick hook and loop tape down both side edges of the frame and the matching tape on the quilt. Press the sides shut so no air can pass.
Sew a chain or sand filled tube into the hem so the bottom edge sits tight against the sill. Add hook and loop tape there too if the sill allows.
Hang the quilt at dusk and take it down in the morning. A cover left up all day traps damp air and cools the room.
Check behind the quilt once a week in the coldest weeks. Wipe any condensation off the glass and refasten any tape that has lifted.
Tips and common mistakes
A loose curtain or quilt with a gap at the bottom acts like a chimney and pulls warm air out of the room, so seal all four edges.
Leave a small air gap between the quilt and the glass, since the trapped still air is what insulates, not the fabric itself.
Watch for condensation on the glass and air the room briefly each morning to stop mould forming behind the cover.
Insulate the coldest single pane window first, usually the one in the room you heat most.
Questions
Will this really work as well as double glazing?
It gets close if all four edges are sealed, because it traps a layer of still air like a double glazed unit. A loose cover with gaps will make the room feel colder, not warmer.
How much does it cost?
About 15 to 30 dollars per window with new materials. It costs almost nothing if you already have an old duvet and some scrap wood.
Can I leave the quilt up all winter?
Better to hang it at dusk and take it down in the morning. Leaving it up traps moisture and can lead to condensation and mould on the glass.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
