The $3 Window Trick That Saves Hundreds on Heat, by Overlooked on YouTube. 24 min 26 s.
- Video length
- 24 min 26 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Check the frame for gaps and feel for cold air around the edges. Shrink film works by trapping a still layer of air between the plastic and the glass.
Wipe the frame with a cloth and mild soapy water, then dry it completely. Tape will not stick to dust, grease or damp paint.
Measure the window and cut a strip of double-sided mounting tape for each side. Press it firmly along the flat face of the frame, not the glass.
Cut the film with about 5 cm of overlap on every side. Peel the backing off the top strip only and press the film along it, starting at the top centre.
Smooth the film outward and down, peeling the rest of the tape backing as you go. Keep the plastic flat and free of wrinkles.
Shrink the film with a hairdryer on a low to medium setting, held about 10 cm away. Work from the centre outward until the plastic pulls drum-tight.
Run your hand slowly around the edges to feel for escaping air. Trim the extra film with scissors and press the edges down again.
In spring, warm the tape with the hairdryer and peel it back slowly, pulling away from the paint. Rushing this can lift paint or leave sticky residue.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the hairdryer moving and never hold it in one spot, or the film can melt or scorch.
Do not tape over air vents, trickle vents or windows you need to open during winter.
Press the tape down twice, once when you apply it and again before the film goes on, for a stronger hold.
Use a stable step ladder and keep both feet on the same rung when working on tall windows.
Questions
Can I use shrink film on any window?
It works on most wooden, uPVC and metal frames with a flat surface for the tape. Skip windows you open often, and check the kit instructions for painted or newly decorated frames.
Will the tape damage my paint or frame?
Usually not if you remove it slowly in spring after warming it with a hairdryer. Cheap tape left on for years or peeled cold is what pulls paint away.
Does the film make the room darker?
Barely. Clear shrink film lets most light through, and it goes on the inside of the glass, so curtains and blinds still work normally.
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.
