Losing heat is surely not an effective way to keep your house warm. This is something improper insulation can lead to, and it can be a pricy problem over time. This is why you need to take measures and solve this issue.
Did you know that the best window insulation kit is a way to get rid of this problem? All you have to do is install it, and it’s a very good and cheap solution that makes sure there is no heat loss.
But you need to know how to be selective when it comes to a window insulation kit, so you don’t end up with a product that displeases you. Having said that, below you are going to find a buying guide for these kits, as well as some window insulation kits reviews.
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Tips to Keep in Mind When Buying a Window Insulation Kit
Even if you have efficient space heaters, they won’t be able to keep up if the heat escapes the house. Thus, you must make sure you seal the windows, and for that, you need window insulation kits. How to pick the best product, though? Here’s a buying guide to help you out with it.
Price
The price tag is among the first things people look at when choosing a product, if not the first. With window insulation kits, things aren’t different at all, except that there is usually no need to worry since they are pretty cheap. However, you need to also know when a product seems to be overcharging. Most products cost a few dollars, being more than enough to seal your windows for the whole winter.
If you see a product that has a high price while the reviews seem to be mostly negative, then you may not want to spend your cash on that one. Look for an item with a good price that also seems to fulfill its promises.
Ease of Installation
Considering that it’s just tape and a film that is added over it, it should be easy to install. Just imagine the frustration you would have if you’d struggle to apply some sheets to your windows. Of course, it’s hard to know whether a sheet is hard to install or not unless you actually purchased and tried the product – but nowadays, you can figure it out if you read a few reviews. If other customers mentioned that they encountered difficulties when installing the tape, then you should avoid buying it.
Visibility
The visibility of the tape inside the window insulation kit is also a very important aspect to consider. You may or may not want to block some of the sunlight in your house. This is why you need to check out the visibility and make sure your needs are met. Check out the specifications of the kit upon purchasing it, and if possible, look at some reviews too, and find out how it performs in the visibility aspect.
Some tapes are transparent and able to let sunlight pass through them, so if you still want to get some sunlight, you may want to consider these.
Reusable
The chances are that you don’t really like to spend cash on tape year after year. For this reason, you should look for reusable tape.
When winter is over, the plastic film set doesn’t have to be kept on the window, unless your area has colder weather in general and you still need insulation. If you are not aware of it already, you need to know that there are films that are reusable – so, even if you take them off this winter, you can use them the next one. This way, you save a small amount of money.
Air Lock
Without proper insulation, the air in your home will keep changing temperatures, which could be very annoying. This is why you need to find a tape that will make sure the temperature in your home is constant, thus making you feel comfortable at all times.
For this to happen, you should find a tape with the airlock feature. This will make sure to block the cold air from entering your house, which will save you money on energy bills and help you get cozy in your home.
Durability
Let’s be honest, buying a product that breaks apart after a short time will be a huge waste of money. Why invest in something when it’s going to need a replacement soon anyway? Why not invest in something that lasts?
You need to have this mentality even when shopping for a window insulation kit. Sadly, not all tapes will offer you the same durability as others. They will get wrinkly after a while, which is a sign that the tape is loosening and will not insulate properly. This may happen to both a normal insulation kit and a garage door insulation kit.
For this reason, picking one that won’t tear apart the next day is a must. When shopping for window insulation kits, look at what other buyers had to say about them. Did the tape last the whole winter, or did it peel off in less than a month? Make your choice based on the answers.
Non-Damaging
One of the downsides of using insulating kits is that you risk damaging your windows. Some products are quite strong to ensure that they won’t slip easily – this way, they keep the windows insulated during the whole winter. But an aspect that often gets ignored is how much damage it may cause to your window surfaces.
Many people have tried to remove the insulation tape, only to see that a chunk of paint is peeling off too. The last thing you’re looking forward to is having to repair the damage caused by window insulation kits.
If possible, check whether the reviews mention potential damage or not. If you notice that customers were overall happy with the kit and were able to safely remove the product, then you might want to consider it.
Best Window Insulation Kits Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Duck Brand Indoor 5-Window Shrink Film Insulator Kit |
| View On Amazon | |
M-D Building Products Shrink and Seal Window Kit 1 |
| View On Amazon | |
3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit Insulates |
| View On Amazon | |
Duck MAX Strength Heavy Duty Insulating Film Window Kit |
| View On Amazon | |
RHO 12 Windows or 2 Patio Doors Window Insulation Kit |
| View On Amazon | |
Frost King Indoor Shrink Window Kit |
| View On Amazon |
Best Window Insulation Kits – (Top Picks)
1. Duck Brand Indoor 5-Window Shrink Film Insulator Kit
If you want to reduce your energy costs, then you may be successful with this window insulation kit. It will be able to properly insulate your windows and make sure heat has no place to escape.
The film is crystal clear, which is an advantage if you don’t want it to be noticeable. Therefore, it won’t affect the aspect of the room, but keep it nice instead. In order to apply it, the tape can be easily rolled on the area, ensuring an easy and quick installation and fast results. The tape comes in 3 and 5 packs, as well as an XL pack, so that it fits not only standard windows but large ones and patio doors as well.
Pros:
- Clear and not visible on surfaces
- Easy and quick to install
- The tape is very strong for guaranteed insulation
- Easy to smooth out wrinkles with a blow dryer
Cons:
- Blow drying it too much will cause the plastic to tighten and pull off in some places
2. M-D Building Products Shrink and Seal Window Kit 1
This product may be just suitable for your insulation problems. What we really liked was how easy the directions were to follow. They tell you just what to do in order to seal your windows, thus getting rid of the annoying problem and preventing heat from escaping your house.
Another amazing benefit is its resistance to moisture. If you install it in the bathroom, you may be concerned that moisture will ruin it, but it’s actually resistant and will experience no issues.
Furthermore, the plastic is strong enough to seal any problematic orifices and keep your windows insulated for a very long time. You won’t have to replace the tape too soon.
Pros:
- Very strong plastic
- Doesn’t take long to install
- Is not badly affected by moisture or steam
- Easy to follow instructions
Cons:
- Some customers received old products with tape that was too old to stick
3. 3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit Insulates
Making your home more energy-efficient is possible with the purchase of this window insulation kit. Installing it is very easy. What you have to do is pretty much unfold the film, after which you cut it to the window width and allow an additional inch on every side. Then, you apply the tape around the frame of the window and get rid of the paper liner. To remove any wrinkling, you just need to use the blow dryer.
Aside from the easy installation, the tape is also able to seal securely. For the whole season, your insulation will stay in place and protect you against the cold. It will shrink tightly to make sure you won’t have to pay a lot on energy costs. It’s transparent too, meaning it will barely be visible.
Pros:
- Able to suit standard sized windows
- Easy to install
- Hardly visible
- Strong and able to resist for the whole season
Cons:
- Will not do well when used on woodwork as it will be destroyed
4. Duck MAX Strength Heavy Duty Insulating Film Window Kit
Using this window insulation kit will make sure your windows won’t have any energy loss. On the contrary, you will be able to keep heat inside the home by sealing them with the product. This tape is suitable for households that are pet-friendly and have high traffic. It’s very sturdy and resistant to damage.
It is clear and will not be visible on your window, so if you’re scared of the design being ruined, you shouldn’t be anymore. Also, you can simply use a blow dryer and get rid of wrinkly parts, after which you can cut the shrink film around the outside of the tape.
Additionally, whether you have standard windows or large ones, the tape is suitable for them. It works even with patio doors. This is thanks to the fact that the product comes in 3, 5, and 10 packs, as well as an XL pack.
Pros:
- Suitable for patio doors and multiple window sizes
- Sturdy
- Clear tape
- Wrinkles are easy to get rid of
Cons:
- Not heavy duty
5. RHO 12 Windows or 2 Patio Doors Window Insulation Kit
In case you need a larger tape to seal windows or patio doors, then you might want to try this by.RHO product. It has the ability to seal 12 regular windows, as well as two XL patio doors. The pack will include 2 tolls of extra-long tape to make sure you get the job done without having to buy an additional tape.
The tape can be very strong, but you have to apply it at a temperature of over 50ºF. By doing that, you will be guaranteed to keep your heat inside and let the cold stay outside, where it should be.
Besides, we loved its thickness, as it has better chances to seal your windows. However, what we didn’t like too much was how the tape can develop wrinkles after a few weeks, as it started slipping.
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Thick and strong tape
- Can seal windows and patio doors
- Enough tape to seal everything in your house
Cons:
- May start peeling off after a month
6. Frost King Indoor Shrink Window Kit
You may want to take a look at this window insulation kit if you need to seal your windows and not make it too visible. This is a crystal-clear plastic sheet that will help you save a lot on electricity costs.
First things first, we liked the fact that the sheet was easy to apply, and it works on multiple surfaces, including wood, metal, and even painted surfaces. There are also kits that will be suitable not only for standard windows but also for basement windows and patio doors.
Secondly, we liked that the blow dryer is enough to get rid of the wrinkles after applying the tape. On the bad side, though, we were disappointed with how loose the tape can get after a while.
Pros:
- The tape is clear
- Easy to apply
- Works with various types of surfaces
- Easy to fix the wrinkles
Cons:
- Will loosen up over time
7. SES.CO Reusable Transparent Indoor Window Insulation Kit
Do you want to make sure you will prevent dust, wind or rain to reach into your home due to bad insulation? This window insulation kit might be able to help. Basically, it will seal your windows properly, due to having a thick EVA film able to prevent heat from going outside the house. The EVA film it uses is sturdy, easy to clean, and tear-resistant. Having said that, you don’t have to worry – replacements are not needed anytime soon.
Installation is easy and quick. You can do it yourself, by following the instructions given by the product, and thus you’ll save a lot of energy. However, you should be aware that the tape may be a little wrinkled due to the packaging. If you leave it open for a few days, it should go back to its shape.
Pros:
- Easy to set up by yourself
- Strong
- Durable
- Blocks rain, dust, and wind
- Reusable
Cons:
- It may be wrinkled due to packaging
- It’s so strong that removing it may lead to removing the paint
Window Insulation Kits – Learning How They Work
Do you know if window insulation films work? If they do, how? It’s not that difficult to understand how window insulation kits work.
Basically, when you have older windows, there may be cold air entering your home through little spaces, whereas the heat you generate with various devices will escape. So, not only that you’ll have to constantly provide heat, but it will also show up a lot on your electricity bills.
This is where window insulation kits come into play. They are made for insulation purposes, in order to prevent energy waste. Inside a kit, you will find a plastic sheeting or an insulation film, which can be used to seal the windows and trap air between the film and the window glass. As such, the nasty temperatures will be sealed out.
In order to make this work, you need to apply the film on either the inside or outside of the problematic windows or patio doors. It should be left there for the whole cold season, after which you can remove the tape. The next year, you will have to repeat this process.
The Good and the Bad of Window Insulation Kits
You can’t embark on this journey without being aware of the pros and cons of window insulation kits. It’s the only way to know that you’re making the right decision with these products. All in all, here are the advantages and disadvantages of insulated windows:
Pros
Cheap
Obviously, this option is so widely used thanks to the low cost it involves. Who likes having to break the bank just to fix a little troublesome spot of the window? Window insulation kits are very cheap, and also offer a quick solution to an annoying problem. Considering they are just tape, you will find them for a few dollars. That’s pretty convenient for something that will keep you warm, and it’s way better when you think that you will also save a better amount of money as the heat won’t escape your home.
Easy to Set Up
While replacing your windows with new and better ones is a difficult and time-consuming process, using a window insulation kit is on the opposite side of the spectrum. You just have to apply the tape properly and the windows will be insulated. In some cases, you may just need to use a blow dryer to get rid of the wrinkly parts, but it’s still very easy to do and anyone could set this up.
Effective
Window insulation kits represent a very effective method when your home has older windows that cause pockets of air to enter or leave your house. They are great for insulating these spaces. As such, they will not only reduce heat loss but also reduce condensation while decreasing the convective currents that are responsible for cold drafts.
Cons
They Shrink
One of the annoying things with window insulation kits is that they tend to shrink sometimes, causing a wrinkly effect. This happens a lot when the tape starts slipping, and it looks extremely unappealing. So, if you’re going for a nice look, you should know that some tapes won’t look too good after a while.
They May Cause Damage
Depending on what surface you stick them on, they may cause some damage. There are tapes that need to be changed much earlier, respectively during the same winter you applied them in. Either way, trying to take the tape off may also take some paint with it, and thus ruin the aspect of your windows and of the whole house as a result. Of course, this won’t happen with all tapes on the market, but it’s important to check the reviews and see if this problem has been experienced by anybody.
Heat Insulation vs. Draft Blocking – How Are They Different?
There are multiple types of insulation, such as spray foam insulation, draft blocking, heat insulation, and many others. But in order to decide on the right type for your house, you should know how they work and what makes them different. So, let’s take heat insulation and draft blocking, for instance. How exactly are they different from each other?
Heat insulation, on one hand, is a way to prevent the heat from being lost from the house. Basically, many spaces in the window will make the heat escape and thus you’re left with cold air instead. You can think of this as a bowl of hot soup. The soup radiates heat, and it gives off warm air. But after a while, it’s going to lose its warmth and become cold. The same thing happens to your home. Heat insulation means adding something on your home to preserve heat and make sure it will not be taken out of the house.
On the other hand, draft blocking is a method that blocks cold air from entering the house. It’s easy for cold winter air to sneak through orifices and ruin the temperature of the house. Draft insulation can be done through various methods, some of them including foam tape, weatherstrips, door snakes and, ultimately, window film.
Proper Window Insulation Kit Installation
You can’t start working on your insulation unless you know how window insulation kits should be installed in the first place. Maybe it isn’t rocket science, but some guidance may always prove to be very useful – so, below, you will find the necessary steps for installing your window insulation film.
Understand Window Insulation Kits
Before you apply the window film, you need to know how it works. You should know how to apply it to a window frame in order to prevent the indoor warm air from colliding with the outdoors cold air and thus ruin the temperature of the house. There are also laminate films that will stick to the glass. All of these are amazing if you have older windows that need to be insulated – so, don’t hesitate to look for any information about window insulation kits before starting the process.
Pick the Windows You Need to Insulate
You need to make sure that you pick the right windows to insulate before performing the task. Basically, you can’t insulate every window, as you need to leave one uninsulated so you can open it in case fresh air is needed – for example, after cooking. You might also want to consider leaving windows on opposite sides of the house uninsulated to create a breeze every now and then, particularly if you don’t want to reinsulate every winter.
Get the Windows Ready
The first part of the process is preparing the windows for the insulation. This means that you need to clean them. You need to remove every piece of dirt, dust, and debris on the surface of the window so that you can apply the tape without encountering any issues. Wipe it, scrub it, and do everything necessary to get the area ready for insulation. Otherwise, you risk the tape falling down very quickly.
Also, if you have metal frames, you need to make sure they are smooth, which is a little difficult considering cold metal works as a magnet for moisture. If there is any rust on the frames or any loose paint, you should remove it with a plastic brush.
Open the Kit
Take the product that you bought and make sure to open the box carefully. Do it with your fingers, and avoid sharp objects when opening the box. Using something sharp increases the risk of damage to the tape – something you surely don’t want to happen.
Test the Tape
Prior to taking a big chunk of insulation film and sticking it to the window frame, you should take a small piece and test it on the frame. Stick it and see if it pulls off easily or not. It shouldn’t pull off easily if you want it to stick properly.
However, in case it does, it means there is grease or moisture on the window frame, so you need to get rid of that first. Take a rag and a residue-free solvent and gently wipe it off. Every remain should be evaporated. In addition, you should make sure that any humidifier will be turned off for the time being, or else you can keep wiping off the frame to no avail. Moreover, you shouldn’t wash anything with hot water a few hours before the insulation begins.
Apply the Tape
Now, you are ready to apply the tape to the window frame. You should apply it on the molding’s front, and on the still right in front of the vertical moldings. To make sure it is straight and protected by the molding edge, you need to put it inside a ridge, in case there is one. Take some scissors and cut the tape when you reach the end of the length, after which you can rub down the corner and peel the backing paper a few centimeters. This will help it overlap with the next piece that you are going to apply.
One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you are not touching the sticky part or the frame area. It may be difficult since you are using your fingers to operate, but it’s necessary, or else you risk making the area sticky, and adhesion will be reduced as a result.
When you’re done, take some scrunched up paper kitchen towels and use them to rub-down the tape with firm pressure. Then, consider removing the top piece’s backing for about six inches from each side piece.
Take the Film Out of the Package
Now, you need to unpack the film, but be careful with it because it can be easily ruined if you use sharp objects or hard ones. Don’t put it on the floor, and prevent it from coming in contact with dirt and dust, because it has static cling.
If there is one big sheet of film, then you need to think about the proper positioning of the window so that you don’t create any waste. There is also a possibility of the package having multiple sheets of film, in which case you should only unpack one at a time. Then, apply the film to the window. Use a clean cloth to rub it down onto the tape, so that you can insulate properly.
Other Useful Tips
There are some additional tips you should know if you want to properly install your window insulation. For instance, the insulation film risks getting wrinkles after installing it, in which case you should take a hairdryer to remove them. You need to keep it a few inches away from the film.
Also, you shouldn’t play around with the tape and try to peel it off just to see if it worked. Doing so might end up with the tape not sticking properly anymore, and you’d have to spend money on a replacement kit.
In addition, when you’re done heating the film with the hairdryer and the wrinkles are gone, you can trim the excess plastic with some scissors, so you don’t ruin the whole thing.
Don’t forget that you won’t be able to open these windows, so don’t try to do this once the insulation has been added, or you will ruin it.
Important FAQs & Answers
To make sure you will purchase the right type of window insulation kit, here are some questions often asked by customers:
- How effective is plastic window insulation going to be?
Plastic window insulation can be very effective if you pick a quality product. Usually, it should retain about 55% of the warmth inside your house, not allowing it to escape. You still need to make sure the plastic is always sealed if you want it to be more effective.
- Can this type of window insulation stop condensation?
Yes, it has the ability to reduce sweating and maintain your windows properly. But in some cases, moisture may still be existent from the inside, which means your house is humid. This is when you need to provide some ventilation to stop it. In addition, holes in the plastic will lead to condensation. So, as long as your house is ventilated and the plastic is safe, condensation will not be an issue. You may prefer a top-rated window fan for ventilation purposes.
- Should I put the plastic on the outside or inside of my windows?
It’s better to put the insulation on the inside of the windows. Applying it on the outside will make it exposed to weather or other factors that could damage the tape – so, always apply it on the inside to make sure it lasts longer.
Wrap Up
Good insulation is something that you can only achieve with the best window insulation kit – that’s why you can’t afford to purchase an ineffective one. After reading this guide, you should know how to look for the right product. You can also consider our window insulation kit reviews to make your choice even easier.
Please read our other reviews on a wide range of products from top-notch UV lights for HVAC to top-rated range hoods.