Maintaining the Home:
Conservation
How to Stop Air Leaks Around Windows
What you need
- interior storm window kit or double-face tape and roll or length of shrink film
- scissors or utility knife
- hair dryer
This process is meant for interiors only. Use these materials on painted or varnished wood, aluminum or vinyl-clad molding. (However, tape may pull off cracked or peeling paint and varnish when removed.) Do not use these materials on wallpaper, wallboard, plaster, veneer paneling or luan mahogany molding.
How to do it
- For windows with interior mounted shades or blinds, pull to desired position before attaching shrink film.
- Remove cranks or handles that stick out before attaching film.
- Wash the frame around the window to remove grease and dirt, and dry thoroughly.
- Apply a strip of double-face tape either around the outer edge of the window frame and on the bottom of sills that stick out, or on the face of the frame (Figure 1).
- Press the tape firmly to make sure it sticks securely.
- Wait 15 minutes after applying the tape before installing the film.
- Unfold film and cut it to size, allowing at least 1 inch extra on all four sides.
- Peel the backing paper from the tape across the top of the frame to expose the second adhesive side (Figure 2).
- Starting at top molding, lightly press the film to the tape (Figure 3).
- Remove the backing from the tape across the bottom of the frame and attach the plastic sheet.
- Repeat the process for all the sides. The film may be removed and repositioned if necessary.
- Press the film securely to the tape.
- Turn on a hand-held hair dryer to its highest setting.
- Start at an upper corner, hold the dryer about 1 inch from the surface, and slowly move the dryer across the film. Be careful not to touch the plastic with the hot dryer.
- When the film starts to shrink, move the dryer slowly across the surface until all wrinkles and creases disappear.
- Trim extra film with scissors or a utility knife.
- The film can be cleaned with a damp soft cloth.
- At the end of the heating season, remove the film and tape promptly.
Figure 1 |
Figure 2 |
Figure 3 |
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This material was adapted from publications produced by Iowa State University.
Next: Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling
