Short term fix for draughty windows

[Paddingtonthebear]

Just moved house and found out nearly all the upvc windows need replacing 🥴 We’ve had someone out to look at them, they’ve said they could try and mend the hinges but it won’t make much difference as they are 20 years old and the gaps massive. It will take about 7 weeks to order new ones so just wondering if there is a temporary fix in the meantime. We have put up some insulation foam tape which has made a small difference and I’m going to get some curtains up (just wooden blinds currently), but wondered if there’s anything else we can do? The worst windows are in our bedrooms and letting in lots of cold air and outside noise. Not helped by the fact one of the bedroom radiators is also not working. 🙄

You can use bubble wrap, double sided tape, not glamorous, but a quick short term fix. Leave a little window free if you have one, for ventilation. You can do the same with cling film,and hairdryer. YouTube video on how. My DS did this,in his 70s, single glazed HA flat

Thanks. The problem is that they all only have one window opening so if covered with film they can’t open at all

If you need a quick fix for winter you won’t be able to open them. I use duck tape on mine, it seals the draughts.

Curtains should make a massive difference, especially if you use heavy / thermal ones. We have one room where the windows are incredibly old and draughty, and the curtains keep all of the cold out. I was cleaning behind them yesterday and it was like stepping from indoors to out in terms of temperature difference.

It does mean your rooms are dark, but it does mean you retain full use of the windows when you need it. Should also help with noise to a certain extent.

Fill the gaps with folded up newspaper or similar and tape them up with duct tape. If there are still draughts then you could put up window film, which creates a draftproof barrier. You can get it from b and q.