How to put plastic around windows

Winter is the time of year that most Indianapolis homeowners dread if their windows let in a draft from time to time. The unpredictable weather can put a damper on your electric bill. One popular DIY solution Hoosiers use is to shrink wrap your windows with plastic. You can purchase these kits at your local hardware stores or maybe even Circle Center Mall. Plastic wrap is a great solution to save money when you have drafty windows. Plastic does an excellent job of keeping whatever heat shows up in Indianapolis from escaping if it stays intact.

The use of plastic heat-shrink window coverings is an easy, effective, and inexpensive window option. Some obvious signs and symptoms that your home has air leaks and can benefit from plastic sealing are:. Locating air leaks can be tricky, as they are often very small and barely noticeable. There are several quick and easy do-it-yourself DIY ways to locate leaks. Click the picture on the left for step-by-step instructions on performing any one of these tests.

Alternatively, finding a home energy professional to perform this job may be a better solution as they have the tools to easily pinpoint the problems and complete the project for you.

Your local utility may offer rebates for a professional home energy assessment and certain air sealing and insulation projects. Be sure to contact your utility company before beginning a project to see what incentives are available in your area. Compare with other projects. Window insulation kits that seal the window with a plastic film are available from your local hardware store and online. These kits include plastic sheeting that you affix to the jambs with double-sided tape.

Once in place, heat the plastic with a hairdryer, shrinking it to look like another glass pane. You may even wish to combine a couple of them—doubling up will help retain heat and protect you from the strongest winter winds.

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Easy Fixes for Drafty Windows and Doors. By Carol J. Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. Lock Your Windows and Apply Weatherstripping Photo by Carl Tremblay The most important thing people forget to do when winterizing the home is to lock the windows.

If your windows are large, consider installing two locks a few inches from the outside edges rather than just one in the center, to get the gap closed all the way across the sash. Putting the film on the outside would only expose it to weathering elements, so by putting it inside , it's better protected. Asked by: Szymon Pernet home and garden indoor environmental quality How do you put plastic on windows for winter?

Last Updated: 12th May, Bubble wrap is plastic film with air filled pockets. You'll want to add the bubble wrap to your window before using the window insulation kit. Open the window insulation kit and take out the double sided tape.

Clean the framing of your window with a damp cloth or rubbing alcohol. Myla Habtezion Professional. How do I winterize my old windows? The best way to winterize your windows is to add a sealed layer of plastic or glass over the window. And the cheapest, easiest way to do this is by installing an interior window insulation kit. Lali Sharples Professional. Does bubble wrap on Windows really work? Bubble wrap works by increasing the isolative value of the window , making it effective in keeping the heat out in summer and preventing heat loss in winter.

Son Tablado Explainer. Does covering windows with plastic help? Plastic window film covers can reduce drafts and make a home feel warmer during the winter. They are also a relatively inexpensive way to reduce condensation buildup and lower energy bills. Window wraps can also seal air leaks around the window , when these leaks extend over woodwork.

Frieda Brieva Explainer. Will putting plastic over windows help with condensation? Adding a layer of plastic sheeting over your windows will generally stop winter condensation , but there is more to the equation.

Dampness on the inside of your window glass means a humidity problem. Valme Negredo Explainer. Does window Plastic Really Work?