How to Weatherize Windows with Plastic Film Insulation -- by Home Repair Tutor, by Home Repair Tutor on YouTube. 3 min 54 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 54 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes per window
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Clean the window frame and glass with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Tape sticks poorly to dust, so a dry, grease free surface matters.
Run your hand around the frame on a windy day to find the drafty spots. Fix any gaps or loose putty before you cover the window.
Cut the bubble wrap to the size of the glass with scissors, leaving about an inch of space around the frame edges.
Apply the first ring of double sided tape around the window frame, using the tape that comes in the shrink film kit. Press it firmly all the way round.
Press the bubble wrap onto the tape, smoothing it flat from the centre outwards. This layer adds extra insulation behind the film.
Add a second ring of double sided tape around the frame, on top of or just outside the bubble wrap edge. This ring holds the plastic film.
Cut a sheet of shrink film from the roll with a few inches of overlap on every side. Two people make this easier on wide windows.
Press the film onto the second tape ring, starting at the top corner and working around the frame. Pull it gently so it sits taut.
Go over the film with a hairdryer on the highest heat setting, holding it a few inches away and moving constantly until the wrinkles shrink out.
Trim the excess film with scissors and run packing tape over any edges that lift.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the hairdryer moving the whole time, because holding it still in one spot can melt or tear the film.
Do the job on a mild day, since tape and film handle better and stick better above freezing.
Leave the bubble wrap slightly smaller than the frame so the second tape ring has a clean surface to grip.
Do not cover air vents, and leave at least one window in the room uncovered as an escape route.
Questions
Can I use a hairdryer on the plastic film?
Yes. Use the hottest setting, keep the nozzle a few inches away, and keep it moving until the film pulls tight.
Do I really need the bubble wrap?
No. The film alone stops drafts. Bubble wrap adds an extra insulating layer, which helps most on single pane glass.
Will the tape damage paint or leave residue?
It can pull loose paint when you remove it. Warm the tape with a hairdryer and peel it slowly in spring.
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.
