The $2 WINDOW FIX That Stops Heat Loss — Insulate With Bubble Wrap!, by Elias Winter Secrets on YouTube. 12 min 55 s.
- Video length
- 12 min 55 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
On a cold, windy day, run a wet hand or a strip of tissue around the window frame, sash and sill. Mark every spot where you feel cold air.
Cut bubble wrap about 1 inch wider and taller than the glass. Spray the glass with a light mist of water.
Press the bubble side of the wrap against the wet glass, starting at the top and smoothing down. The water holds it without tape.
Fill narrow cracks in the frame with caulk or press rope caulk into the gap. Do not seal a bedroom window so it cannot open.
Add weatherstripping to moving parts such as the sash edges and meeting rail. Check the window still closes and opens freely.
For windows you want to see through, fit a clear window film kit and shrink it tight with a hair dryer on low.
Open curtains on sunny days and close them at dusk. Put a rolled towel or draft stopper along the sill.
Check covered windows weekly for condensation or mold. Wipe them dry and let the area air out.
Tips and common mistakes
Never block a bedroom window from opening quickly in a fire, and make sure everyone knows how to open it.
Use a wet hand or tissue to find drafts, never a candle or smoking stick.
Keep curtains, draft stoppers and film away from space heaters and candles.
If a window stays wet, dry it and run kitchen or bathroom fans to stop mold.
Questions
Will bubble wrap leave marks on the glass?
Plain water usually holds it without tape and lifts off cleanly in spring. Wipe the glass afterward.
Can I use bubble wrap on windows I need to open?
It is best on fixed or rarely opened panes. Do not block a bedroom escape window.
What if the draft comes from the frame, not the glass?
Use rope caulk, caulk or weatherstripping on the gaps. Bubble wrap only slows heat loss through the glass.
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.
