Plastic
window insulation film
Temporary
energy saving interior storm windows
 Plastic
window insulation film is available in kits. They make great temporary interior storm windows,
significantly reducing fall and winter time heat loss.
The 3M company was the first to introduce these
insulated window coverings to home energy savings minded
consumers.
Since then 3M window insulation has become
somewhat synonymous with temporary inside storm window
kits. But today there are several reputable companies that
offer these window coverings.
Window insulation kit
Do it yourself interior storm window kits are
ideal for both homeowners and renters. A plastic window insulation kit
can cost as little as $9 to $20, depending on the size of the kit and
the manufacturer.
Within most kits is enough insulating film to
cover 5 to 6 standard size windows, or 2 large size windows.
Very easy to install
Installing plastic window insulation film is very
easy and only takes a few minutes. The tools needed are scissors,
double sided tape and a hair dryer.
Once cut to fit and properly secured, the hair
dryer is used to tighten and shrink the film. This drum tight fit
provides an insulating seal between the window pane and the interior of
the home.
Clear
and undetectable
Just like with permanent interior storm windows, window insulation film
is transparent and undetectable from the outside. Other window
treatments such as external
window shutters, significantly alter the
outside appearance of a home.
Reusable
window insulation kits
There are some window insulation kits that can be
reused. These kits usually come with self sticking mounting clips that
are designed to stay on the interior window trim all year long.
The sealing plastic film is merely removed from
the mounting clip and can be stored and reused seasonally. However most
of the mounting clips have to be purchased to size. And several kits
may be needed in order to have enough mounting clip material to fit
around a large window unit.
There are some
limitations
- Installing these interior storm windows
will obviously make opening the window impossible. But for those who
live in colder climate regions this may not be an inconvenience at all.
- The insulating plastic used is quite durable.
However they can be repositioned and punctured by children and pets.
- These energy saving window treatments are
only moderately effective at reducing solar heat gain, for the
spring and summer months there are several other much more effective solar window coverings.
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