Duck Brand 1299529 Indoor 5-Window Shrink Film Kit, 62-by-210-Inch
Retail Price: $13.09
Amazon Price: $3.75
Window film insulation acts as an extra barrier against cold air and drafts. Even if you have storm windows, you can still benefit from using window insulation film-particularly if your windows are older and the glazing or caulking is damaged.
With window film insulation, you don’t need any special tools to install it. Kits come with enough film and other supplies to insure you get the best results.
To install window filmon window molding, it’s simply a matter of a few steps. First, you cut the film to size with regular household scissors. Size will be slightly larger than the window opening.
The next step is to completely go around the window with a special double backed tape. The tape acts as an adherent to both the molding and the film. However, don’t worry about the tape not coming off later when you want it to or that it will destroy the surface when you do take it off. The manufacturers of most window insulation films are also tape manufacturers like 3M and Duct, who claim their tapes can be removed completely without ruining the surfaces below it.
| Duck Brand 1297119 84-by-120-Inch Shrink Film Patio Door Kit |
 |
|
Overall Rating:
 |
| Retail Price: $11.11 |
| Amazon Price: $3.25 |
After you’ve placed the tape completely around the window, you press the film onto it. Using the back of a straight ruler, the side of a pencil or Popsicle stick, will make sure that you have the film flat and snug against the tape.
The final installation step for window insulating filmis to heat it with a hair dryer. The process will help the film shrink to a tight fit. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions completely on this step! Some will tell you to use low heat and to keep the hair dryer moving in slow steady movements from one side to the other. This will prevent the film from getting too hot and melting and will also help the film shrink more evenly.
After shrinking, the film should be crystal clear like looking out a window. It should be wrinkle free when you follow the directions correctly.
Window insulating film also helps prevent condensation and frost build-up that typically happens with drafty windows when it’s cold. So not only does the insulating film help you stay warmer and cut down on your heating bills, it can also help you see the outdoors better because you won’t have to look through the fog of condensation or the crystals of frost.
Some of the most popular brands on the market with solid reputations to back their products are; 3M, Duct, and Frost with free shipping from Amazon.com.
Typical window film insulation kits will do 2-6 windows in your home. You can also get kits for insulating the windows of you patio and exterior doors. The cost of insulating the windows in your home with window insulating film is far less than heating bills that go up due to drafts. So do yourself a favor this winter and bundle up!
