Bubble Wrap, Shrink Film or Contact Paper?

[19Sandy]

I need to do something about my drafty windows, I should have bought some bubble wrap, shrink film or contact paper while I was out tonight. I think I have some wide tape from last year to block the drafts along the edges. I am freezing with the drafts since I changed to the larger room to get away from the carbon monoxide from outside. There is a limit of what I can do since it is a rental. I have blankets hanging over the drapes but that isn't cutting it. Can't do any caulking. Part of the problem is the moisture coming in too. Landlord needs to seal from outside but won't. Some of my neighbors put plywood or big furniture in front of the windows. These are big windows that are difficult to cover too.

[Miss Cellane]

There is a kind of caulk that is removable. I used to use it it seal up the space between the two halves of the window. I'd seal them up in the winter, and remove the caulk in the summer so I could open the windows. I never had much luck getting the shrink film to stay on; had problems fitting it on windows with window sills.

If the place is really cold, check what your state laws say about the heat. If the landlord provides the heat, there is usually a minimum temperature they have to heat the building to. If you have to pay for the heat, there is usually a clause that states that the rental unit must be capable of getting to a certain temperature--i.e. you can choose to have a lower temperature, but the heating source provided must be able to bring the unit to the required temperature. If the place is really drafty and that means you can't hit that required temperature, you have a case against your landlord.

You could also look into WarmWindows, a quilted window covering that helps hold in heat and block drafts. But it can be pricey.

[Tybee]

We just use the shrink film; works like a charm.

[ToomuchStuff]

A neighbor of mine, cuts foam insulation to place over his windows. (can hold with tape)
I am thinking about it since getting rid of some old drapes that the color I couldn't stand (but miss the thermal qualities they provided).

[nswef]

My husband made wooden indoor storm window frames which I covered with the shrink wrap. We did have to screw them in, put you could use tape...The make a huge difference and don't block the light. Before that I put shrink wrap on the living room windows and did run into some trouble with them coming loose. But, again, they are so much better than nothing.

[Float On]

I've done the bubble wrap in the coldest of winter but it's not something I leave up for long. We tend to hit 50 again every few weeks It wasn't very expensive because I'd order huge rolls of it for our business.

[frugal-one]

This year we put plexiglass on some of the worst windows. It is working great and you can't even tell it is on the windows (put on the outside). The cost was minimal. Can reuse yearly. Will do this until we decide if we are staying in this house. Can't see expending $7,000 for windows when we are not sure we are staying here.

[nswef]

Frugalone, how did you attach the plexiglass?

[catherine]

Yes, I'm interested in the plexiglass option, too. We usually by the shrink film from Home Depot, and it works really well.

[frugal-one]

DH said he put small rubber weather strip around window so it would seal and then used very small screws to hold in place. It looks very nice and can be removed... frugal-one

[nswef]

Thanks Frugal one .

[Tybee]

Is there any possibility you could post a photo of the Plexiglas arrangement? I am trying to interest my husband into doing this with the mudroom windows, which are a heat sinkhole.

[frugal-one]

1665

1666

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This picture was taken off our covered deck in the glare of sun. These pictures are not very good. Hopefully, it will give you some idea though. I think it looks good and cannot tell at all from inside that there is even anything on the windows. It has made a world of difference in the heat retention in the house. Just wish we would have done it sooner. DH said he used Dennis brand weatherstripping.

[Tybee]

Thank you so much--the pictures are actually great because I can show him the detail that you are talking about. I will definitely show him these tonight. He is out scraping snow off roof with his garage sale roof rake that he bought for 5 dollars this summer!

[frugal-one]

Snow is just starting here... supposedly we are going to get up to a foot by morning. blech!:doh:

Love those garage sales!!!!

[Tybee]

He just came in and admired the pictures and said, that's really good work, and now he wants to try it, too. Thanks again.

[19Sandy]

I can't use any screws, nails or put anything outside.

So, I searched at Walmart for rolls of shrink film, and they only had tiny kit that won't work on big windows.

The roll stick on insulation was so overpriced for a tiny amount that would cost a small fortune.

Looked at contact paper but expensive and would have to use several packages to cover one window.

Going to look at something other less expensive stores this week.

The windows in my apartment are in bad condition but landlord won't do anything about it.

I am basically heating the out of doors right now.

[jp1]

I agree with the others who suggest shrink wrap. When we lived in a place with winter I would use it on every window. Made a HUGE difference. Just checked Home Depot's site and they sell a 62 x 210 inch piece for $14 including the double stick tape.

Edited to revise. Before I closed out the Home Depot window I read closer and it's two pieces at 62 x 210 for that price.