Do any of you fine folks install shrink wrap window film for winter?

[Paper Roses]

I have never done this but am thinking that now may be the time to install this film to help keep this old house a little warmer this winter.
If you use this film, how difficult is it to install? What brand did you buy?

I Googled and found 'Duck' brand shrink film at(shudder) Walmart. 10 PK kit for $11.43.

Your thoughts?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/17133826?adid=22222222227016740459&veh=sem&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40872617312&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78765400352&wmlspartner=wlpa

[postulater]

1. I've used it on several large North-facing double pane windows.

I use the 3M brand plastic. It is very easy to apply. The tape is double-sided and applies easily.

Then cut the plastic to fit, leaving some overlap that can be trimmed off later. Apply the plastic to the sticky tape and get out as many wrinkles as possible. Then use a hairdryer to carefully heat up the plastic and it will shrink to fit.

It's quite effective at cutting the draft from the window and seems to have helped keep that portion of the house a bit warmer.

With a good frame around the windows the tape sticks well for a couple years if you want.

Thanks for reminding me. I have a couple more windows I need to do before it gets cold out.

[Purveyor]

2. We use it. Fairly easy to install and it works. Go for it!

I'm waiting about another 3-4 weeks before I put mine on.

Stay warm!

[Warpy]

3. I would use the blue painter's tape instead

Duck Tape would last the winter without repairs but it would also either chip the paint or leave sticky residue when you remove it next spring.

I have Pueblo style house without window frames, so it's impractical for me to try to stick it onto textured walls. I use heavy, lined drapes and those cut the drafts. I'd love the combination of shrink wrap and drapes.

ETA: If you are on a fixed income and need to shop at Wally's, shop at Wally's. The store isn't all bad, they're the ones who started a cheap generic prescription list that benefited people without insurance on a lot of the most common drugs. They just need to be forced to pay their people a living wage, something they have in common with most retail and food service places.

[pscot]

4. I tried it once

but it was really hard to move around in and I had trouble sleeping. It did keep out the draughts.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. I've done it. It worked fine until

one of the cats decided he wanted to get closer to whatever was outside. The plastic is no match for cat claws.

[A Little Weird]

6. I use it - usually the Duck brand

It's not hard to do but it's hard (for me at least) to make it look good. I usually end up with a lot of wrinkles in the plastic which don't look so great. I've seen it at other people's houses where it looks perfectly smooth so I know it's possible. I just hide mine behind drapes and don't worry about it.

I might try Warpy's suggestion and use the painter's tape next time. Most of the time the double sided tape works just fine for me, but a few times, I've had the tape start coming off before it was time.

If you try it out and you like it, be sure to check the clearance racks after the winter season. They usually put that stuff out at very deep discount (I've gotten 90% off before) so it's a great time to stock up for next year.

[H. Cromwell]

7. Use painters tape

I used one of the kits with the double sided tape. The tape pulled up paint when I removed it. I'd suggest using painters tape when applying the film. The plastic film does help keep out drafts.

[Paper Roses]

8. Question to you who have suggested painters tape.

Since I have never used this system, I'm not sure where the painters tape comes into the picture. I was under the impression that the tape supplied was double sided, attaching to the interior window frame and then to the plastic. Since painters tape is one-sided, do you attach it to the edges of the plastic? Where does the hair dryer come into play? Maybe I have the wrong product in mind.

Are there many products available and I have the wrong one in mind?

[H. Cromwell]

9. You're correct

The kits come with double sided tape. You would have to tape the edges of the plastic film using painters tape. The hair dryer shrinks the taped film to remove wrinkles etc. All the windows in my home were replaced with energy efficient ones by the previous owner...except one. That window is the one I need the plastic film for. I don't recall the brand I bought, but I probably got it at Wal-Mart.

[blackcrowflies]

10. 3M

I used 3M last winter. It really didn't help much, but I think there are a lot of gaps letting air in elsewhere.

As I recall, there was some trick involved in putting it up that took me awhile to figure out, but I can't remember what it was. Something about the tape. I may have phoned 3M and they explained it.