In the winter, there are several ways to protect your windows and home from storm damage. One of the most effective ways is to install weatherstripping, which seals gaps around movable window parts. This can be done by identifying leaky spots, installing window caulking, applying plastic film, draft snakes, rigid foam, rubber weather sealing, honeycomb cellular shades, and layered curtains.
Storm windows are installed on the outside of existing windows, consisting of a frame and a separate glass or plastic panel that can be easily removed or replaced. Temporary storm windows can be created using insulating films that attach to a window’s interior face with adhesive tape and are shrunk with a hair dryer to create a tight seal.
For larger sliding doors, it is recommended to apply weather stripping, which adds a layer around your windows that prevents ice, wind, and snow from coming in and heat from going out. Another option is to invest in energy-efficient windows, seal gaps and cracks, install storm windows, apply window film, use thermal curtains or drapes, and employ weather stripping.
One of the best long-term methods for preventing ice dams is to install a water-repellent membrane in your roof, installed under the shingles. Impact-resistant window glass is also an effective way to ensure wind-tossed debris, large hail, and other storm-related damages bypass your home.
To protect your windows during winter, consider installing hurricane shutters, impact windows, hurricane fabric, storm panels, plywood, high-impact glass, hurricane film, and other protective measures for your glass doors. Additionally, consider replacing your curtains, weatherstripping, caulking your window seals, placing foam in the frames, purchasing a draft stopper, adding plastic, and installing energy-efficient window shades.
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Note: To shrink the film tight with a hair dryer like Window Insulation Shrink Kits, I’d suggest 1.0 or 1.5 mil film. The 3 mil polyester film I use is a little wavy but not wrinkled, so a hair dryer isn’t necessary. The 3 mil is too thick to shrink with a hair dryer, and a heat gun will melt holes if you’re not careful.
Thank you for the comprehensive article, I’ve watched a lot of them and yours is by far the most succinct. Love your idea of using Mylar, it looks absolutely crystal clear and the thicker weight will last more than one season. Also, never thought about using two layers of film, this is brilliant because it exponentially increases the insulation value for a small amount of extra effort and material cost.
I have problems in my bedroom with sunlight and streetlights. It gets very bright and it’s not very dark. I’m trying find ways to make it better for sleeping. This plastic will will be ideal in the summer heat and winter cold in NY. I’ve seen other ways to make it black out. I wonder if this could be used with plastic that is black to block out light? Any idea about black plastic?
Great article, many thanks! Already made the frame with shrink film. One question, I’m looking for an alternative to the polyster film which I can get in Europe as the provided links does not ship to Europe. How does .003 inch translate to 3 milimeters? according to my calculations 0.003 * 25.4 = 0.0762 milimeter?
Thank you so much for sharing this! Our house has a screen room with 4 track windows. It’s great May-Sept but the vinyl has no r-value to speak of. It just keeps the wind out. I got quotes for putting in proper glass windows and that’s way out of our budget. This seems like a good way to extend how long we can use the porch.
A+ article, well explained, demonstrated and excellent Comments. Thank you and definitely subscribed. I didn’t see any mention of how the dry shrunken seals in windows are degassed over the years. I’m assuming there’s a permanent performance drop once that happens. My parents have a sunroom with 3 walls of double glazed windows all have bad seals (windows are about 25 years old) and are hazy from condensation mineral deposits. 😢 In the summer I’m attempting on fixing the haze as seen on other articles by drilling tiny access hole to allow for demineralizing solution to be forced in between the glass via compressed air. Then a distilled water rinse for a clean dry. Looks like 2024 is the year of the window. 😊