Installing Heat-Shrink Plastic Over a Window
Conserving energy and saving on heating bills is the goal of most homeowners today and although drafts and heat loss can occur at many points in a home, a major source of energy loss is the windows, especially if they are old. One answer is to add storm windows; another is to install new replacement windows that have a high R-value. Either remedy, however, can be costly.
A less expensive option is to seal the windows using sheets of heat-shrink plastic. Sold as kits that contain sheets of plastic film and double-faced tape, they are available in various sizes to fit different windows and doors. For a few dollars per window you can form an almost invisible shield that will seal the windows and form a draft- and moisture-resistant barrier, thereby increasing the R-value of the window. When properly installed, the barrier can last for the entire heating season. To shrink the plastic you need to use an ordinary hair dryer. Given below are instructions for applying the plastic; use them as a guideline while referring to the product instructions for specific information
Project Basics
Project:Easy
Estimated Project Time:15 minutes
Start Tips:Clean windows and trim and let them dry before applying tape and film.
Safety Tips: Read instructions that accompany the product to determine how much heat to apply.
Recommendation: Do-it-Yourself
Tools Required
Heat-shrink plastic
Double-faced tape
Electric hair dryer
Measuring tape
Scissors, as needed
Utility knife
Instructions
1) Set Double-faced Tape in Place
Clean window and trim and let them dry. Unroll the double-faced tape, and measure and cut it into strips to fit each side of the window. Set each strip in place without removing the protective paper. (Fig. 1)
2) Set the Plastic Sheet in Place
Peel away the protective paper strips on the tape. Unfold the plastic sheet and cut it a bit larger than the window. Then spread it out evenly over the window and press its edges onto the tape (Fig. 2). When the entire piece of plastic is in place, go back along the edges, making sure that the tape is holding it.
3) Shrink the Plastic to Fit
Using a hair dryer, apply heat evenly to the entire piece of plastic film (Fig. 3). The heat will cause the film to shrink taut, removing the wrinkles in the plastic and leaving a clear, insulating film over the window.
4) Trim the Excess Plastic
Using a utility knife, trim away the excess plastic, being careful not to gouge the window trim (Fig. 4). If the material is properly installed, it can last through an entire heating season.
Installing Heat-Shrink Plastic Over a Window
