Don't Let the Cold In! DIY Window Insulation with Bubble Wrap, by Walt & June's Farmhouse on YouTube. 8 min 46 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 46 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Gather a roll of bubble wrap with large bubbles, a spray bottle, scissors or a knife, and a tape measure. Bigger bubbles hold more air and insulate better.
Measure the glass area of the window. Add about 2 cm to the width and the height so the wrap overlaps the frame a little.
Clean the glass with a damp cloth and let it dry. Dust and grease stop the wrap from clinging to the wet glass.
Cut the bubble wrap to your measured size on a flat surface. Use sharp scissors or a utility knife and keep the bubbles unburst.
Fill the spray bottle with plain water. Skip soap or vinegar, which leave a film and weaken the cling.
Mist the glass lightly so it is evenly damp. Press the wrap on with the bubbles facing the glass, starting at the top and smoothing down with your hand.
Trim any overhang with scissors and press down the corners and edges again. Run your hand over the whole sheet to push out trapped air pockets.
Tips and common mistakes
Bigger bubbles insulate better but blur the view more, so use small bubbles on windows you look through often.
Watch for condensation between the wrap and the glass. If water beads up, take the wrap down and dry both surfaces.
Do not cover air vents, trickle vents or handles you need to reach in a hurry.
Leave the wrap up for the cold season and peel it off slowly in spring, then wipe the glass with a damp cloth.
Questions
Does bubble wrap on windows really work?
It adds a thin layer of trapped air, which slows heat loss a little on single glazing. It is not as good as double glazing, but it is cheap and quick to fit.
Which side of the bubble wrap faces the window?
Bubbles against the glass works best because the water holds them in place. The flat side faces the room.
Will it damage the glass or paint?
Plain water does no harm to glass. Peel the wrap off slowly in spring and wipe away any marks with a damp cloth.
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.
