GIY: How to do simple double glazing with Clear Comfort

Windows are the weakesk link (thermally speaking) in your house. An uninsulated window is brilliant at cooling down all the lovely warm air in your house.

To stop this you have to insulate them - a layer of still air is best. In this GIY project we insulate a timber sash window with a plastic film called Clear Comfort.

It is affordable, easy and really makes a difference.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• 'secondary glazing'
• DIY
• 'energy efficiency'
• green
• instructional video
• howto
• educational
• insulating windows
• how-to
• winter windows

[deeunitt]

what about the top half of the window?

[GIYGreenItYourself]

It's a bit trickier with the sliding timber sash windows to do the top but you can put it on the outside of the top window - it is at slightly higher risk of being punctured by fast moving bird with a sharp beak but should be OK, esp if you have fly-screens.

[michaelgraby]

did this myself, as I live in the UK I couldn't find the exact brand shown here but I found a similar product called stormguard film from ScrewFix, if like me you have a very big gap between the window and the outside frame you might need to stick the tape on the inside frame, i.e. at a 90 degree angle to the window pane, when I did this I found it quite hard to the tape all the way into the corners. Just thought I should let you know if you need to do it that way. Great Video :)

[GIYGreenItYourself]

Thanks... good to know what other products are out there. In Australia we only have this one but I know in the US/Canada they have a wide range of products to choose from and they are relatively inexpensive. Thanks for the UK perspective and understand the tricky corner issue ...but you need to have it all sealed ...still air is the insulator here and if there is a bit of air movement it won't be as effective.

Hope it has kept you warm this winter,

[vettoorlijo]

how can i remove it

[GIYGreenItYourself]

@vettoorlijo - It just peels off ..you might need to use some white spirit or acetone to get rid of the sticky tape.

[GIYGreenItYourself]

@marlukcz - Hi, I've seen windows that have this plastic on them for over 15 years and it's still in great condition. The double sided sticky temporary tape does yellow over time, but it is not designed to be there forever. The permanent tape is a much better product but only good if you want to leave the film up ..permanently.

I recommend cleaning any window, and this window film with a micro-fibre window cleaning cloth (available at most hardware shops) and water. Don't need to go fancy brand.

[GIYGreenItYourself]

Hi, love how videos keep a moment in time. I didn't do the whole frame even though you are exactly right ..it would eliminate the draught problem (and these timber sash windows are quite tricky to draught-seal)

1.) I like to be able to open the window occasionally - even in winter - to vent the room as this room is a bit stuffy

2.) I like to leave it there all year rather than take it down for Summer. I know in Cold climates it is just used for winter 'weatherisation'

Thanks for your comments,

[jhatter67]

Great Video - you're clearly in full nesting mode :-)

I'm interested to know why you put the plastic just on the sash and not on the outer box frame? This would insulate against all draughts? But then again I guess your cold weather isn't as severe as it is pom-land!

[cionajohnsonking]

Lovely clear presentation, I'll give it a go, thanks x

[marlukcz]

awesome idea :) ... what about degradation in time? and what about cleaning?

[AlexRyteuBart]

Green with plastic... it is like "green" electric car with massive toxic battery :D

[vahakna]

Old window is better than replacement window.  Just put film on it.