By Tom Scalisi | Updated Sep 15, 2023 11:25 AM
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Window insulation kits are an affordable solution to cut the cost of your energy bill and make a home less drafty. For those who cannot afford to replace windows, they’re a good option to upgrade ones that are not energy efficient.
Most window insulation kits work the same way: A sheet of heat-shrink plastic or other insulating material is attached to the window panes with double-sided tape or magnetic strips to add a layer of insulation. The best window insulation kits are easy to install and provide an effective barrier to drafts. Windows that have been treated with insulation cannot usually be opened, meaning these kits are a seasonal solution to drafty windows.
Read on for shopping considerations when selecting this type of window treatment and to learn why these are among the best window insulation kits available.
When gathering our top picks for window insulation kits, we looked at a range of brands to find the best in their respective categories. We have organized our favorites in this list of recommendations to provide shoppers with a variety of options depending on their specific needs. We made sure to include kits that are able to cover a single large window and kits that can cover multiple windows.
We also considered thickness to be a vital aspect and included several options across an array of thicknesses. Some can provide light insulation for moderate winter weather issues, and some thicker options are meant for heavy-duty insulation and can help users save on heating and cooling bills.
Lastly, all our picks are removable, and some can be used again in the future; however, this largely depends on how careful users are when removing and storing the films. Thicker options are much more durable, while thinner ones are more prone to tearing during removal.
The following recommendations are among the best window insulation kits available in their respective categories.
The winter months are wonderful for snowball fights and hot chocolate, but they also come with difficulties like cold feet and hands. To keep a home insulated and cozy in the winter, trust the Duck Max Strength window kit. This kit comes with everything required for insulating 5-foot-long by 3-foot-wide windows in bedrooms, offices, kitchens, and more, including film, tape, and an instruction manual. But it can be cut if required for smaller windows in the home.
Made with puncture-resistant shrink film, this 126-inch-long by 62-inch-wide indoor option is perfect for homes with children, pets, and other high traffic and is easy to install and remove cleanly, making it suitable for first timers. For added reliability, this option can be used on painted wood, aluminum, vinyl, and finishes/varnished wood, but it can’t be used on plaster, drywall, or unfinished wood.
Before installing the Duck Max Strength film, the brand recommends grabbing a measuring tape, scissors, and a hair dryer. Need more? This option comes in multiple sizes to fit larger or smaller windows.
Get the Duck Brand 284351 window insulation kit at Amazon.
This 3M insulator kit comes with enough film to cover up five 5-foot-long by 3-foot-wide windows. At 19.05 micrometers thick, 3M’s film is relatively thick for enhanced insulation. The film comes in one sheet, measuring just over 17.5 feet long by 5 feet wide that is cut to fit. This kit also comes with a 12-yard roll of double-sided tape to facilitate installation and ensure the film stays up all season long.
Get the 3M insulator kit for 5 windows at Amazon.
Those who want to insulate on a budget can trust the Duck Brand Shrink Film Kit. This option is capable of reducing energy consumption with its crystal-clear shrink film and included double-sided insulating tape. At 210 inches long by 62 inches wide, this large film can be cut if required but works best for windows that are 5 feet long by 3 feet wide in size. For convenience, this option also comes in multiple size options.
For added reliability, this pick can be applied to painted wood, aluminum, vinyl, and finished wood for more insulation, but this option is not suitable for plaster, drywall, or unfinished wood varieties.
Get the Duck Brand 286217 window insulation kit at Amazon.
If you prefer to install insulating film on the outside of windows, you’ll want a long-lasting product that can hold up to the elements. This outdoor-use window film was created by 3M for that very purpose. Capable of covering up to two 5-foot-long by 3-foot-wide windows, 3M’s kit comes with a sheet of 0.75 mil-thick film that’s more than 7 feet long and 5 feet wide. It also includes just under 14 yards of high-quality double-sided tape. Install this kit with the same process as an indoor window film kit: cut, tape, shrink, and trim.
Get the 3M outdoor window insulation kit at Amazon.
Covering a large feature window with a standard window film kit isn’t an option. To do that, you’ll want a specially designed product like this one from 3M. This kit gets the job done with a single sheet of 19.7-foot-long by 7-foot-wide plastic film. Boasting a thickness of 0.75 mil, 3M’s insulating film is extra durable, and the kit comes with all the double-sided tape necessary for application.
Get the 3M XL window insulation kit at Amazon.
For those who prefer a more hands-on approach to keeping out the cold, there’s the StangH portable thermal insulated blackout curtains. These effective and versatile curtains come with portable suction cups and silver rings built-in around the four outer edges and can be attached to virtually any window of the same size.
Made with triple-weave technology, these curtains are thermally insulated, provide blackout capability, keep out noise, and definitely promote privacy. The brand has stated that the suction cups can lose their suction over time and need to be soaked in hot water to regain their original shape for reuse. Also, be sure that the wall surface is clean before applying the suction cup.
As for the curtain itself, it is heavy duty and machine washable, comes in multiple colorways and sizes, and can be ironed if desired. Finally, this top pick comes with a storage bag for traveling, making it ideal for frequent flyers.
Tip: Since the suction cups have rings on them, this option can also be used for hanging Christmas lights, decor, or other lightweight wall hangings.
Get the StangH window insulation kit at Amazon.
New insulating tape is essential for those who love to reuse their insulation sheets. When new insulation is needed, they can trust the Yotache high-density foam tape. This thick tape comes in two rolls with over 13 feet of length and can be cut with scissors or a blade with ease.
The closed cell form is made from environmental protection materials like chloroprene rubber (CR) foam and neoprene, making it toxin-free, weather- and shockproof, oil- and corrosion-resistant, dustproof, anti-vibration and buffering, heat insulating, soundproof, and flame retardant. Wow!
As for the adhesive quality, this tape has a grid backing that is waterproof and lasts in temperatures of -58 to 302 degrees Fahrenheit. Though these are meant for windows, they can also be attached to furniture, cabinets, cars, boats, sports equipment, HVAC systems, plumbing, and more. Plus, there are a lot of thicknesses and lengths to choose from based on a given user’s needs.
Get the Yotache window insulation tape at Amazon.
Comfort aside, one of the most important reasons to insulate drafty windows is to save energy and lower your monthly utility bill. Saving energy also benefits the environment. With Frost King’s window film, users can reduce their carbon footprint related to heating and cooling by up to 35 percent. This kit comes with enough individual sheets of 0.75 mil-thick plastic to cover nine 5-foot-long by 3-foot-wide windows. It also includes 165 feet of double-sided tape.
Get the Frost King window insulation kit at Amazon.
There are a number of factors to consider when shopping for window insulation kits. They’re available in plastic, magnetic, and reflective foil types. Features like film thickness, dimensions, reusability, and installation requirements will determine which insulation kit is most suitable for your home.
Several window insulation product types are on the market: plastic film, magnetic barriers, and reflective foil insulation.
Windows come in all sizes, so look for kits with enough film to cover your windows. Most kits come with enough plastic sheets and double-sided tape for sealing several windows. It’s essential to know your windows’ dimensions so you’ll know which kit will work for your home.
Window insulation kits work by creating a trap for air between the window and the film; that trap is called an air lock. Double-sided tape, which holds the film in place on the window pane, will create an air lock. By pressing the film firmly onto the tape, users can create a strong bond that keeps drafts out.
To create a long-lasting seal, you’ll want durable film. Durability is often a factor of the film’s thickness. Thicker film offers more resistance to punctures from kids or pets. It’s also easier to apply correctly and establish a good seal. Thicker film does a better job of insulating windows. Standard window film is about 19 micrometers (μm) thick, while heavy-duty film can be as thick as 38 μm.
Some homes have only one or two truly drafty windows, while others have a slew of them. Choose a kit that has enough film to cover all the drafty windows. Many kits come in multipacks that can cover up to 10 windows. They come with sheets of film that can be cut to size, allowing for coverage for every window in need of insulation.
Window insulation kits are meant to be temporary solutions to drafty windows. The good news is that most of these kits are reusable, so you won’t have to buy a new kit every year. Films 19 μm or thicker can be peeled off the double-sided tape, folded up, and stored when winter is over. The double-sided tape won’t be reusable, but a roll of double-sided tape is cheaper than a houseful of window kits.
The best window insulation kits are effective, affordable, and easy to install. Most kits are installed by placing double-sided tape around the perimeter of the window jamb. Then, window film is applied to the tape. At the bottom of the window, the film is attached to a piece of tape on the sill, making a seal. Finally, the film is heated with a handheld hair dryer to create a transparent airtight seal that’s free from wrinkles.
Still have questions about choosing the best window insulation kits? Here’s some more information to help you decide.
Window insulation kits create an effective barrier that prevents cold outside air from getting into a home. Heat-shrink film applied to the window pane with double-sided tape creates an air gap that works like a thermal window.
Insulated curtains do a good job of keeping the cold temperatures at bay, but they don’t create airtight seals to hold back drafts like window insulation kits do. Plus, insulated curtains must be closed to work, so they block natural light. Window insulation film is usually clear, so it doesn’t block that beneficial winter sunshine from shining into a home.
Some window insulation kits claim to reduce a home’s energy consumption by up to 35 percent. While that’s a significant savings, users will want to install these products carefully and on every leaky window to experience their true potential.
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