DIY Stylish Window Covers To Insulate Your Home In The Winter

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 30 percent of a home's heat is lost through windows. The summer is no better; 76 percent of sunlight that hits windows leads to higher temps in your rooms. If getting new windows doesn't agree with your bank account, there are plenty of ways to insulate your windows. Make some cute window covers to keep you toasty with some fabric and insulative material. This easy and inexpensive window treatment will keep the air at a temperature you want. Plus, you can do this for pennies by upcycling materials like bubble wrap or mailers or, better yet, insulated food delivery bags. Topped with repurposed fabric, this upgrade tackles a few important eco concerns and saves some bucks at the same time.

To make your own heat-saving window covers, you'll need enough fabric and insulative material to cover the window with about a 2-inch margin around each edge; this will enable you to hang and remove the covers without adhering anything to the glass itself. Repurposing an old bed sheet is a clever way to salvage several yards of fabric all in the same pattern. If you're short on bubble wrap to upcycle, order a roll of specially-designed insulated foil like MRPAPA Double Reflective Insulation Foam. If you live in an area with temperature extremes, add a second insulative layer with material like this roll of Halero Reflective Insulation Foam Core. You'll also need a measuring tape, spray adhesive, Velcro strips, and scissors and/or a utility knife.

Leaving a gap between foil bubble insulation and the window can greatly improve its energy-holding ability. If your window is set into your wall and there are a few inches of space between the pane and the wall itself, make use of this gap for better winter cold-proofing. To do this, create window coverings that you'll attach to the wall around the window.

Measure the frame of the window(s) you'll be covering. Add an extra 2 inches on what will be the left and right sides of your panel; this extension will allow you to attach the covering to the wall around the window instead of right to the glass or frame. Mark those measurements on the insulative material and cut out the form. Use the foam sheet as a guide to cut the fabric that will cover it; measure a 1.5 to 2-inch margin on the fabric beyond the edges of the foam. Cut it out, then snip each corner of the fabric at a diagonal to create foldable flaps.

Separate the two pieces and spray each with adhesive, making sure to spray the non-printed side of your fabric. Smooth the fabric over the foil, and fold the flaps over the edges. Add a bit of extra glue to the flaps. Finally, affix Velcro tabs to the back of the panel and to the wall around the window. This way you can hang it up and take it down as needed.