How to Prepare Your Home for Winter in Korea
Winter in South Korea can be extremely cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping below -10°C. Preparing your home in advance can help you stay warm, prevent damage and reduce heating costs.
Here are seven practical ways to get your home ready for winter.
Cover Your Windows with Bubble Wrap (뽁뽁이)
One of the most recognizable and inexpensive winter insulation tricks in South Korea is covering windows with bubble wrap, commonly known as ppokppogi (뽁뽁이). This method has become particularly popular in Korean households because it provides an additional layer of insulation without requiring expensive renovations or specialized equipment.
Windows are among the main areas through which indoor heat can escape, especially in older apartments with limited insulation. Bubble wrap helps reduce heat loss by trapping small pockets of air between the plastic and the glass. These air pockets act as an insulating barrier, slowing down heat transfer and making rooms feel warmer during particularly cold days.
Applying it is relatively simple. First, clean the inside surface of the window to remove dust and allow it to dry. Measure the glass panes and cut the bubble wrap into appropriately sized pieces. Lightly spray the glass with water, then press the bubble side against the window, leaving the flat side facing the room. The moisture helps the material adhere without requiring permanent adhesive.
In Korea, this type of insulation is widely available in household stores and online marketplaces, particularly as winter approaches. It is especially convenient for people living in rented apartments who want to improve insulation without making permanent modifications. Although bubble wrap cannot replace professional window insulation or double glazing, it offers an affordable way to reduce heat loss.
Seal Doors and Windows Against Cold Air
Even with insulated windows, cold air can still enter through small openings around door frames, window edges and sliding panels. These gaps can create uncomfortable drafts and make it difficult to maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
To address this problem, Korean households commonly use munpungji (문풍지), a type of weatherproofing strip designed to seal gaps and prevent cold air from entering. It is available in different materials, including foam, rubber and silicone, depending on the size of the opening and the surface where it will be installed.
Before purchasing anything, inspect the areas around your doors and windows. Pay particular attention to the bottom of entrance doors, the edges of sliding windows and the corners of frames. You can identify potential drafts by checking whether you feel cold air near these areas on a windy day.
Installing munpungji does not usually require professional assistance. Clean and dry the surface first, measure the gap, and cut the strip to the appropriate size. Remove the protective backing and press the adhesive side firmly against the frame. For larger openings underneath doors, a separate door draft stopper can provide additional protection.
These products are relatively inexpensive and easy to find in Korean hardware stores and online shops. They are particularly useful in older buildings, where frames may not provide the same insulation as those in newer apartments. Checking the strips occasionally and replacing damaged sections will help maintain an effective seal.
Use Thick Curtains and Floor Rugs
Once windows and doors have been insulated, adding thicker textiles is another way to make indoor spaces more comfortable. Thermal curtains and floor rugs provide additional insulation while making rooms feel warmer and more inviting.
Thermal or blackout curtains are particularly useful because they create an extra barrier between cold window glass and the heated interior. During daylight hours, open the curtains to let natural sunlight enter and warm the room. As evening approaches, close them to reduce heat loss. For better results, choose thicker curtains that cover the entire window, including its sides.
Floor rugs and carpets can also improve comfort, especially in areas where the floor feels colder underfoot. Consider placing them in frequently used spaces such as bedrooms, living rooms and beside your bed. They provide a softer surface to walk on and make getting out of bed on cold winter mornings more comfortable.
However, there is one important detail to consider in Korean homes: ondol (온돌). Since this system heats rooms from underneath the floor, very thick rugs or carpets with insulating backings can interfere with heat transfer. If your home uses underfloor heating, choose rugs specifically designed for heated floors.
Both curtains and rugs are convenient options for renters because they can be removed, stored and reused every winter without making permanent changes to the property.
Check Your Ondol Heating System (온돌)
One of the most distinctive features of Korean homes is ondol (온돌), the traditional underfloor heating system that continues to play an important role in modern Korean households. Unlike conventional radiators, which primarily heat the surrounding air, ondol distributes warmth beneath the floor, allowing heat to spread throughout the room.
Historically, the system worked by directing hot air and smoke from a kitchen fireplace through channels underneath stone floors. The stones absorbed the heat and gradually released it into the living space. Modern Korean homes use a more advanced version of the same principle, generally circulating heated water through pipes installed beneath the floor. A boiler (boilleo, 보일러) heats the water and sends it through this network of pipes.
Before winter begins, make sure your heating system is working correctly. Start by checking the boiler and testing the thermostat. In many Korean apartments, the heating controller is mounted on a wall and allows residents to adjust temperatures and select different operating modes.
Depending on the model, you may encounter several useful Korean terms:
실내온도 (sillae ondo): Indoor temperature.
온돌 (ondol): Floor heating mode.
예약 (yeyak): Scheduled operation.
Understanding these settings makes it easier to control your heating according to your daily routine. Scheduled operation, for example, can help manage heating periods without constantly adjusting the thermostat.
You should also check for warning messages on the boiler, unusual noises or inconsistent heating. If certain areas of the floor remain unexpectedly cold or the system does not respond properly, arrange for the equipment to be inspected before temperatures become particularly low.
For everyday use, maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature is a practical approach. Around 18–20°C can be a reasonable starting point, although the appropriate setting depends on personal comfort, insulation and outdoor conditions. Since ondol gradually warms the floor, the system may need some time to reach the desired temperature.
Preparing your heating system in advance can help you avoid unexpected problems and make the most of one of Korea's most characteristic home features.
Protect Your Water Pipes from Freezing
Another important part of winter preparation is protecting household plumbing from extremely low temperatures. In South Korea, exposed water pipes can be particularly vulnerable during cold spells, especially in older buildings and areas that receive little or no indoor heating.
When temperatures fall below freezing, water inside unprotected pipes can turn into ice and expand. This creates pressure inside the plumbing, potentially causing cracks or damage. Once the ice melts, damaged pipes may begin leaking, leading to expensive repairs and interruptions to the household water supply.
One of the easiest preventive measures is insulating exposed pipes with specially designed foam sleeves. These materials help slow down heat loss and provide additional protection against freezing temperatures. Check areas such as balconies, utility rooms, storage spaces and pipes positioned near exterior walls.
Before installing insulation, measure the pipes so you can choose materials of the correct size. Make sure the insulation fits securely around the pipes, including joints and bends. You can find suitable products in Korean hardware stores and home improvement shops.
Your boiler also deserves attention. Many modern Korean heating systems include an automatic freeze protection function designed to help prevent damage during extremely cold weather. However, its operation varies depending on the model and installation. Check the manufacturer's instructions to understand how this feature works and which settings should remain active during winter.
If you plan to leave your home for several days, avoid switching off the boiler without checking its recommended winter settings. Maintaining the appropriate freeze protection functions is particularly important when temperatures are expected to drop significantly.
Taking these precautions before the coldest part of the season can help protect your plumbing and prevent inconvenient household problems.
Keep Your Home Properly Ventilated
While insulation and heating are essential during winter, maintaining good indoor air quality should not be overlooked. When temperatures drop, it is tempting to keep every window closed to preserve warmth. However, limited ventilation can allow stale air, excess moisture and indoor pollutants to accumulate.
In Korean households, where ondol heating is frequently used for extended periods, indoor air can also become noticeably dry. Low humidity may contribute to dry skin, irritated throats and general discomfort. At the same time, everyday activities such as cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors release moisture into the air. Without adequate ventilation, this moisture can accumulate and cause condensation or mould growth.
A simple solution is to air out your home briefly every day. Instead of leaving windows slightly open for several hours, open them fully for approximately 5-10 minutes to allow fresh air to circulate. Creating a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of the home can make this process more effective. It is particularly useful after cooking or showering.
Monitoring humidity levels is another useful habit. A small digital hygrometer can help you determine whether your home is too dry or too humid. As a general guideline, indoor relative humidity of approximately 40-50% can provide a comfortable balance during winter. If the air becomes excessively dry, a humidifier can help restore moisture. Remember to clean it regularly to prevent the accumulation of bacteria or mold.
You should also pay attention to areas where condensation frequently appears. Wipe moisture from windows when necessary, use bathroom exhaust fans after showers and avoid placing furniture directly against exterior walls. Leaving a small gap allows air to circulate and helps prevent moisture from becoming trapped.
Proper ventilation does not mean keeping your windows open all day or allowing your home to become cold. Short periods of fresh air, combined with sensible humidity control, can help maintain a healthier and more comfortable living environment throughout the Korean winter.
Staying Warm During the Korean Winter
Preparing your home for winter in South Korea does not necessarily require expensive equipment or major renovations. Simple solutions such as ppokppogi on windows, munpungji around door frames and properly maintained ondol heating can make everyday life considerably more comfortable. By combining these practices with a few maintenance habits, you can keep your home warmer, protect it from winter-related damage and manage energy consumption more efficiently.
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