Yes, bubble wrap is an effective and highly affordable DIY window insulator. The trapped air pockets in the plastic create a thermal barrier that slows down heat transfer. It can reduce heat loss through single-pane windows by up to 50%.
Adding bubble wrap or saran wrap to your windows does help insulate them, but not very well. And these fixes look sloppy, especially when they have to be done over each year, leaving adhesive marks or chipped paint. What bubble wrap can't do, is create dead air space between it and your window.
Basically, bubble foil products are 100% plastic and will degrade over time due to the intense heat coming off the metal on a building, and from the UV exposure from interior lighting or sunlight entering the building.
The best window insulation depends on whether you want a cheap, temporary winter fix or a high-performing, year-round solution. The top choice for blocking winter drafts is an interior shrink-film kit. For a permanent, year-round upgrade, insulated cellular shades offer the highest energy efficiency.
To keep the cold out, apply a clear window insulation shrink film directly to the frame to block drafts. For structural gaps, use adhesive weatherstripping. Cover with heavy thermal curtains for an extra layer of insulation.
Window insulation film kits offer a good barrier against cold air for a low cost. Bubble wrap is a super cheap, temporary solution for insulating windows. Magnetic window insulation and rope caulk provide easy, removable ways to block drafts. Thermal curtains add an extra layer of warmth and can be a stylish addition.
Some of Stewart's homes utilize interior blinds for light regulation and privacy. Others feature windows framed by exterior shutters, operable versions of which can also be used for light control, ventilation and privacy.
Shrink-wrap works on not-so-beat-up windows, and it doesn't require as much precision to install as caulk sometimes can. It works a bit like a temporary storm window, stopping leaks and creating an air pocket with an insulating effect.
Keep cold drafts out of your home by sealing gaps around the frame and adding an extra layer of insulation. The most effective DIY fixes include applying weatherstripping to movable parts, using a shrink-wrap window insulation kit, sealing cracks with caulk, and hanging heavy thermal curtains.
Several household items can temporarily trap heat or block drafts. However, for permanent structural fixes, always opt for building-code-approved materials. Common temporary insulators include:
When balancing upfront cost and overall thermal efficiency, the cheapest and most effective standard insulation is fiberglass batt insulation. However, if you are looking for long-term savings through superior air sealing, dense-pack cellulose often provides the best overall value.
Depending on your shipping and storage needs, honeycomb paper, air pillows, and shredded paper are superior alternatives to bubble wrap. They offer better space efficiency, eco-friendliness, or aesthetic appeal.
It's a sheet of plastic with air bubbles, not unlike what you might find in a package you got in the mail. The plastic is simply a waste of space, a filler. It has barely any thermal resistance (insulating value), and no conceivable purpose other than being something to stick the foil to.
Putting bubble wrap on windows is an incredibly cheap and effective DIY hack used to insulate your home. The trapped air pockets inside the bubble wrap create a thermal barrier, which can reduce heat loss in the winter by up to 50% and help keep your home cooler in the summer.
While it may seem counterintuitive, Pierce said you're better off using bubble wrap with smaller bubbles. In the larger bubbles, the air moves some and loses some of its insulating properties, she said.
Here are five easy, affordable ways to insulate your windows and seal in the savings this winter:
Sleeping with windows open can introduce outdoor pollutants, allergens, and noise that disrupt rest. It also creates security vulnerabilities and allows pests inside. Furthermore, uncontrolled drafts can cause muscle stiffness and dry out your nasal passages.
Condensation happens because rooms get too cold, they fluctuate between cold and hot, and there is excessive moisture from cooking, washing and expiration. The biggest causes are showering, drying clothes on radiators and boiling pans. Underlying issues of damp can also be a persistent problem.
How to Keep Cold Air from Coming Through Windows and Doors
A sealant bead must be sized for movement, and shaped to flex without tearing. Common errors: Joints too deep (leading to 3-point adhesion) Joints too narrow (restricting movement)
Caulking: Caulking is another option to seal windows for winter. In some cases, your windows may be old enough that the caulk around them has deteriorated or shrunk. This creates gaps where freezing air could slip inside. If that's true anywhere around your property, re-caulking could be the way to go.
Martha Stewart, 83, has nothing to hide. She's always been unabashedly candid about her life and career, including her divorce and her 2005 stint in prison for insider trading. And now, the lifestyle guru is opening up about being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease vitiligo for the very first time.
Trending Window Treatment Ideas for Every Room
Martha Stewart's energizing morning routine
While many of her retired peers are leaning into leisurely retirements, Stewart treats her mornings as a launchpad to gain energy for a full workday, despite only getting four hours of sleep a night. “I read the entire New York Times,” she said. “I do all the puzzles.