This Cheap Old Italian Window Trick Keeps Heat Inside All Winter, by Salvatore Caruso on YouTube. 21 min 49 s.
- Video length
- 21 min 49 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Find the real drafts first. On a windy day, light a candle and move it slowly around the window frame, sash edges and sill. Where the flame flickers, cold air is coming in.
Measure the glass area of each window and cut bubble wrap about 2 cm larger on every side. Keep the bubbles facing the room, not the glass.
Clean the glass with a damp cloth and let it dry. Dust stops the water from holding the wrap in place.
Spray the whole pane with plain water until it is wet but not dripping. Water is the only adhesive you need.
Press the smooth side of the bubble wrap onto the wet glass, starting at the top and working down. Smooth it with your hand so it sticks flat.
Push the extra edge into the frame or trim it with a knife so it sits tight. Add a strip of tape along the top edge if it keeps peeling.
Close the shutters or curtains at dusk and open them in the morning to let light in. This free habit keeps warmth in overnight.
Check the wrap after a week. Respray any loose corner with water and press it back down.
Tips and common mistakes
Use large-bubble wrap, since bigger air pockets trap more heat than small ones.
Do not cover windows you need to open often, such as fire escape or kitchen windows.
Peel the wrap off in spring and wipe the glass, then store it for next winter if it is still clean.
Keep candles away from curtains and never leave a burning candle alone while testing drafts.
Questions
Does bubble wrap on windows really keep heat in?
Yes, a little. The trapped air bubbles add a thin insulating layer over single-pane glass, which cuts some heat loss and reduces condensation. It will not match double glazing.
Will the water damage the window frame?
Plain water on the glass is fine. Wipe up any drips on wooden frames straight away and keep the spray light so water does not run into the sill.
Which windows does this help most?
Old single-pane windows and glass doors in cold rooms gain the most. Modern double-glazed windows already insulate well, so the gain is small.
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.
