The Pros & Cons of Window Insulation Kits
Canada has some of the coldest temperatures in the world. To save on heating costs in the city or northern communities, we have alternatives to protect our homes from heat loss and costs. R-value and U-values measure thermal performance through windows, walls, floors, and the roof.
Insulation products like Window Insulation Kits, foam or fibreglass have R-Values in insulation products to reduce heat loss. The higher the R-value, the more insulation it has to keep that heat inside. The U-Factor refers to the window's ability to stop losing heat through the window. Replacing windows can become quite costly, so alternatives were made as a cheaper choice.
Depending on which windows or doors you want to insulate, there are a few choices. Insulation kits can come in plastic, magnetic, and reflective foil. Installation and features of the kits can help you decide which is best for you and your home.
- Plastic Window Film kits – easy and cost-effective. The plastic film uses double-sided tape to keep it in place, using a hairdryer to tighten the plastic.
- Magnetic Insulation Kits – can be more challenging to install because of the magnetic strips required to keep it in place and may not leave an air-tight seal.
Reflective Foil – as the most expensive, they keep drafts out but are not transparent, so that you won’t get any natural light in those windows you use this on.
- Peel the backside of the double-sided tape and line the edges of the window frame.
- Peel the front side of the double-sided tape and expose the sticky side of the tape.
- Place the plastic wrap from top to bottom onto the double-sided tape so the wrap sticks to the window.
- Using a heat gun, hairdryer on warm or medium heat at least 6 to 8 inches away from the film, starting on the upper corner. Heating the plastic will tighten it as you go. If you do it right, it will pull enough to see right through it without air bubbles.
Window Insulation Kits are easy to use, but here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Plastic wrap can reduce your cost of heating by improving heat retention in your home.
- Window kits are inexpensive.
- Reduces drafts from leaky windows.
- Plastic films prevent UV rays from entering your home, protecting your furniture from fading.
Cons:
- Some window designs may make it challenging to install a window insulation kit.
- Not all kits are the same. Cheaper, low-quality kits may provide different benefits.
- Some window manufacturers consider window films as a Void for their warranties.
- Plastic films are best used for single-paned windows. Using double-paned windows can cause your windows to fog.
By: Tricia Cook, Content Navigator