8 Best Window Insulation Kits [Reviewed & Buyer’s Guide]

In most circumstances, the windows in our house are not entirely insulated which leads to air leaks and cold drafts escaping into the house. This, alternatively, increases the consumption of heating devices and ultimately leads to very high heating costs, especially during the winter months.

Purchasing and installing a window insulation kit, in this context, is an effective and budget-friendly way to keep your home warm and toasty but also a great solution to soundproof your windows and reduce noise from the outside. This kit is not only DIY-friendly and compatible with most windows but it also seals in heat emitted by the sun and conserves energy in the process.

But how do you figure out the right window insulation kit to invest in? To answer your question, we have compiled a meticulous guide discussing 8 of the best window insulation kits available.

So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it, shall we?

Best Window Insulation Kits  

Here is the list of the 8 best window insulation kits that you can use to save money on your energy bill and improve the comfort of your home.

1. Duck Brand 286217 - Best for Energy Efficiency

The Duck Brand is a reputable company known to manufacture weatherization products for  American homes. It has consequently developed a versatile window insulation kit that is compatible with and thereby can be installed on a variety of different doors and windows.

Why Did We Like It?

With the onset of winter, it can be really difficult to keep your homes warm without amping up the energy bill. But this window insulation kit comes packaged with a comprehensive instruction guide, making it easy to install and efficiently insulate your house in no time.

The crystal clear film included in this kit readily lets the sunlight and heat enter your home, all the while insulating it from further escaping outside. Moreover, this film can effectively cover up to 5 windows having the dimensions of 3' x 5' and block cold air drafts from leaking into your home.

Furthermore, the double-sided tape provided in this kit can be easily applied on a wide variety of surfaces, including painted or finished wood, vinyl, and aluminum. It’s also simultaneously very easily removable and does not strip out any paint or ruin finishes in the process. This tape therefore effectively seals the room and does not allow the warm indoor air to escape or the cold outdoor air to enter. 

What Could've Been Better?

The adhesiveness of the double-sided tape provided in this kit is a little weak. This, therefore, leads the film to slip off the tape or the tape to come off the wall in just a few short weeks after installation. Hence, chances are, this insulation setup might not last you the entirety of winter like it’s supposed to.

2. 3M ‎2141W-6 - Best for Fast Installation

3M has developed a window insulating kit that utilizes one of the most high-performing insulating technologies in the market. It comes equipped with a clear film, along with a heavy-duty roll of double-sided scotch tape to help you install it.

Why Did We Like It?

First of all, we would like to mention that the window film included in this kit is one of the clearest and most effective insulating films on our guide today. Once applied to the tape, it needs to be patiently heated with a hairdryer and readjusted accordingly to achieve a smooth and stretched-out look. Moreover, this film considerably lowers condensation and prevents the build-up of frost on the windows.

The double-sided scotch tape, on the other hand, has unparalleled adhesiveness that makes it incredibly easy to install and facilitates creating an airtight teal seal around the film. This leads to the formation of a secure seal that neither allows warm air to escape the room nor cold air/drafts to enter.

Hence, the heavy-duty insulation provided by this kit allows you to readjust your thermostat to a low energy-consuming setting. Consequently, this action considerably reduces your energy consumption and thereby lowers the value of your utility bills in the long run. 

What Could've Been Better?

The clear film in this kit, much like in the Duck Brand above, needs to be smoothed out with a hairdryer after application. However, some customers have lamented saying that it remains wrinkly no matter how much you blow dry it, which gives your windows an overall shabby look.

3. Duck MAX Strength 284351 - Best for Homes with Children & Pets

As we mentioned earlier, Duck Brand is one of the most reliable companies when it comes to the production of weather solutions commodities. This window insulation kit manufactured by them in the variant MAX Strength creates a heavy-duty barrier to obstruct the entrance of cold air inside the house.

Why Did We Like It?

This window insulation kit, as compared to the previously reviewed Duck Brand kit, has a more durable structure. The shrinking film that is a part of this kit is thick and puncture-resistant and therefore more long-lasting and ideal for homes with young children and pets.

Furthermore, the double-sided tape provided as a part of this kit has a unique adhesive quality that makes it especially easy to remove after usage. It leaves no marks and does not ruin any finishes and hence can be safely applied to a variety of different surfaces.

What’s more? This kit is very easy to install and comes equipped with a comprehensive set of instructions. Additionally, the transparent film is very easily shrinkable with a hairdryer and provides a smooth and professional look to all your insulated windows. 

What Could've Been Better?

This insulation kit, much like the other Duck Brand insulation kit we reviewed above, has a tape with low-quality adhesiveness. This considerably reduces the longevity of the product as it tends to allow the film to fall off after only a couple of weeks of usage.

4. Frost King V73/9H

Frost King offers you an affordable yet effective solution to shield your home from the extreme cold of winter. This insulation kit developed by them consists of 9 clear sheets and a roll of double-sided tape to facilitate a simple installation process.

Why Did We Like It?

The sheets provided in this kit are of standard size and can cover a variety of different window sizes effectively. They offer great versatility and can be installed on basement windows, standard windows, or even on patio doors.

Since the sheets are crystal clear they give you an unclouded vision of the outside without compromising on the warmth of the room temperature. Apart from that, the translucency of the sheet also allows sunlight to enter the room which is always an absolute requirement during winter.

Moving onto the double-sided tape, it has excellent sealing properties that firmly hold the sheet on all four sides of the window. The adhesiveness on this tape is tempered and therefore it can be put on painted or varnished wood, vinyl frames, or even on metals. The only point to be kept in mind is the surface should be grease-free and clean to provide better adhesion.

Last but not least, this kit comes equipped with a limited lifetime warranty, making it one of the most dependable insulation kits on our guide today. 

What Could've Been Better?

Most grievances shared by customers are regarding the subpar adhesiveness of the tape. This has ultimately forced users to separately buy tape again from the local stationery stores. In a couple of instances, users noticed the adhesive leaving marks on the metal or wood after the plastic was taken off.

5. XFasten ‎TWST230

XFasten initially started off in 2015 as a small company providing adhesive solutions to the average American citizen. Since then, however, they have grown considerably as a brand that now offers a wide selection of products ranging from safety tapes to carpet tapes.

Why Did We Like It?

XFasten’s motto is to provide its customers with simple solutions to everyday problems and hence has developed a unique weather-sealing tape for everyday insulation. This product is quite the steal and is perfect for sealing any kind of leakage from windows. The tape is in fact,  weather-resistant and therefore works great under a variety of stress conditions.

Furthermore, this adhesive is incredibly easy to use, and hence easy to install and even easier to remove. You can simply seal all the windows of your house that are prone to leaks and gaps before the onset of the winter. Additionally, this tape also works by sealing out exceptionally cold temperatures starting from -17 degrees centigrade.

But wait, that’s not all! Because this tape is not only effective in keeping out the cold, but is also great at blocking smog, dust, or even warm air from entering an air-conditioned room. Apart from that, the adhesive side of the tape does not ruin surfaces and leaves no residue post-removal, which we love. 

What Could've Been Better?

This sealing tape is not recommended for exterior use as water tends to seep in and get clogged very easily whenever it’s applied. Furthermore, since it’s made of plastic one must not use it as an insulation coating for electrical wires.

6. Duck Brand 281075

Duck Brand has released a single roll of double-sided replacement tape to help you efficiently seal your homes when paired with their previously discussed insulation kits. This modest indoor tape has the ability to provide you with effective insulation for a full season.

Why Did We Like It?

This double-sided tape is essentially meant to act as a replacement for the tape provided in their previously mentioned insulation kits. The clear and transparent look of this tape does not stand out and efficiently blends into the décor of the room you apply it in.

Furthermore, this product is remarkably convenient to apply and helps in completely sealing windows of all sizes. It is built to be specifically applied on wooden surfaces including clean ones. painted, or varnished wood. Additionally, the double-sided adhesiveness holds the plastic sheets more securely against the window to provide optimum insulation.

But what’s more? The enhanced insulation properties of this tape can keep rooms warm and comfortable while saving you money and energy in the process. Apart from that, the tape can also be used to keep the heat during summers at temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

What Could've Been Better?

The tape is meant for interior use only and can be applied on a very limited number of surfaces. The brand clearly advises against applying this tape on plaster, drywall, and unsealed wood. Hence, application on these surfaces may lead to damage and an adhesive residue being left behind.

7. LBG Products Window Foam Insulation Panels

This innovative insulation kit by LBG consists of 2 large black foam panels that are meant to be installed against the windows. It is built to keep unwanted air from entering the house in order to keep it comfortable inside.

Why Did We Like It?

These foam insulation panels are one of the simplest insulation kits to install and use. Equipped with highly adhesive side channels, all you have to do is peel off the tape sticker and apply it to the window unit of your choice. Most consumers appreciate the sturdy and well-designed paneling of this insulation that comes in use for multiple purposes.

Furthermore, the foam panels in this kit are pretty thick and therefore give good insulation against both cold winters and hot summers. The large and opaque build of this panel keeps the sunlight out entirely and leaves the temperature of the room entirely on the thermostat. This alternatively helps many households save money on electricity.

What’s more? The foam panels in this kit are also anti-vibration and can effectively control vibrations and absorb noise made by household appliances like air conditioners. Hence, in a way, it also works as a noise-canceling or soundproofing panel. 

What Could've Been Better?

It’s important to remember that the foam in this kit is not waterproof and hence cannot be installed outdoors. If set up outside, it will get ruined at the first of the rain. A few consumers also felt that this product is like any regular and hence too high-priced for its quality.

8. Fowong Grey Foam Tape

This gray tape by Fowong is made of neoprene rubber foam and is therefore completely weatherproof by nature. It comes packaged in 2-roll sets and is perfect for insulating gaps between the air conditioner and the window as well as for door gaskets.

Why Did We Like It?

This insulation tape by Fowong is very soft and thereby can be customized and applied as per your needs and requirements. You can easily cut it with a pair of scissors or blades making it extremely easy to install and use. Additionally, the tape has an extremely strong adhesive side and is waterproof making it ideal for a versatile set of purposes.

But that’s not all! This product is also oil-resistant, flame-retardant, dustproof, corrosion-resistant, shock-absorbent, anti-skidding, and sound dampening. You can use this to seal or insulate sliding doors, garage doors, or windows to keep your room cozy and comfortable. It also insulates effectively enough to reduce energy consumption and thereby save you on your electricity bills.

If that wasn’t enough, this foam tape can work well within a temperature range of -50 degrees Centigrade to 150 degrees Centigrade making it exceptionally versatile. Fowong additionally provides a dedicated service and warranty, assuring us of extended and durable performance. 

What Could've Been Better?

Some consumers have expressed that the thickness of this tape is not enough to seal the doors and windows. At times the tape gets compressed where the door touches and it peels off in a short while. Additionally, it may also peel off easily when not applied to cleaned and dried surfaces.

Buying Guide For The Best Window Insulation Kit

Purchasing the right window insulation kit can be quite a confusing task, especially considering the diverse kinds of kits available in the market. For this reason, we have compiled a comprehensive buyer’s guide listing out all the important factors to contemplate. These pointers will help narrow down the options so that you can buy the right product for yourself. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s jump right into it!

1. Transparency

The transparency of the film determines how much sunlight can enter the room. The more transparent or crystal clear the film is, the higher the rate of sunlight and heat dispersed within the room. Alternatively, the more opaque it is, the cooler your room stays because of its ability to actively block out sunlight.

Hence it is essential to check customer reviews and the manufacturer’s description to ascertain the transparency level of the sheet. This will enable you to buy a kit according to your personal requirements and insulation criteria.

2. Reusability

Window insulation kits are mainly used only during the colder winter months and hence most of the kits available are meant for one-time use only. However, if buying a kit every consequent year doesn’t sound appealing, you can always invest in one that can be reused for multiple seasons.

While these kits tend to cost more than their counterparts, they considerably reduce your overall expenses. Additionally, they also lower the amount of waste produced and hence are better for the environment.

3. Effectiveness of Sealing

The sealing properties of your window insulation kit are very important factors to consider while purchasing one. This feature determines how effectively your product can keep out cold air from inside your home while keeping the temperature consistently warm. Look for details regarding the airlock properties in order to get a better idea of how good the sealant is.

4. Installation and Removal Process

It is essential to look for a window insulation kit that facilitates easy installation and removal especially if you are planning to do it by yourself. This process will mainly depend on how good the materials provided in your kit are since flimsy materials are usually more troublesome to install. Alternatively, you must also look for products that cause the minimum amount of damage to your windows and walls upon removal.

5. Longevity

The longevity of a product can only be ascertained by comparing the reviews posted by consumers. It is crucial to invest in an insulation kit that is of high quality and lasts for at least a couple of months at a stretch. This will enable you to avoid constantly repurchasing and reapplying to the same product in a short duration over and over again.

Window Insulation Kits FAQs

Does a window insulation kit impact indoor air quality?

No, a window insulation kit should not impact your indoor air quality. However, ensure the room is adequately ventilated during installation to avoid inhalation of any adhesive fumes.

Can window insulation kits work for other types of insulation besides heat?

While primarily designed for thermal insulation, they can also provide a degree of sound insulation, reducing noise from outside.

Can I install my window insulation kit myself?

Absolutely! Window insulation kits are generally designed for easy DIY installation. They should come with clear instructions, and only requires basic household tools.

Can the window be used normally after installing the insulation kit?

As the film is typically applied to the interior of the window, it will prevent the window from being opened. It’s best installed on windows that do not need to be opened frequently.

How long does a window insulation kit last?

Window insulation kits are typically designed to last through one heating season. However, its longevity might depend on the quality of the kit and how well it was installed.

Conclusion

Insulating your home, especially during the colder months, is a critical step in improving energy efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing the comfort levels of your home. Throughout this review, we have taken you through an in-depth look at eight brilliant window insulation kits that excel in their own way.

From the above 8 best window insulation kits, here are the top three expert recommendations:

The Duck Brand 286217 is an ideal option for you if you're seeking versatility. Being compatible with various doors and windows makes this a versatile option. Despite its low adhesiveness, it has other noteworthy benefits including increased energy efficiency, cost reduction, and easy-to-apply and remove insulating film which lets sunlight in while effectively blocking cold drafts.

On the other hand, the 3M ‎2141W-6 is a good option for those who prioritize high performance and durability. Its clear film is known to be one of the most effective insulating films in the market today, reducing condensation and preventing frost build-up. Despite the challenge of smoothing out the film, its easy installation process and unmatched adhesiveness provided by the included scotch tape still make it a top contender.

If durability is your main concern, the Duck MAX Strength 284351 is the right choice. With its puncture-resistant and long-lasting shrinking film, it's ideal for homes with young children and pets. Its easiness of installation and clean removal is extraordinary. Despite the weak adhesive tape, its straightforward installation and durability set it apart from the rest.

Remember, the ultimate choice of a window insulation kit is significantly influenced by your unique circumstances, including the type of windows you have, the severity of winters in your region, your budget, and personal preferences. These recommendations provide a solid starting point when shopping for the right window insulation kit to meet your needs. Explore each option and choose a kit that will offer optimum performance and longevity. Happy shopping!

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