I've been down the interior storm window rabbit hole myself... they're tempting, but honestly, the film does a surprisingly decent job for way less cash. Maybe someday when I win the lottery I'll splurge, but until then, hairdryer and plastic it is.
I'm with you on the film—cheap, easy, and surprisingly effective. A couple things I've learned along the way:
- Invest in decent double-sided tape; cheap stuff peels off mid-winter (ask me how I know...).
- If you hate the hairdryer hassle, try a heat gun on low—way quicker.
- And if you're feeling fancy, DIY interior storm windows with plexiglass panels aren't too bad price-wise. Did one room last year, and it's holding up nicely. Still waiting on that lottery win for the rest of the house though...
Have you found plexiglass panels worth the hassle compared to just doubling up on film layers? I tried plexi once, and while it looked nicer, storage and scratches became a pain pretty quickly...
I had a similar experience with plexi—looked great at first, but after one winter of stacking them in the garage, scratches everywhere and they ended up cloudy. Honestly, I've found doubled-up film easier and cheaper... less hassle overall.
"Honestly, I've found doubled-up film easier and cheaper... less hassle overall."
Totally agree with you on the plexi. I tried it a few years back, thinking I'd found the perfect DIY solution—looked crystal clear initially, but after a couple of seasons, it was like looking through a foggy shower door. Plus, storing them was a pain; they took up way more space than I expected, and every time I moved them around, they seemed to collect more scratches.
Switched to the shrink film kits myself, and honestly, they've been surprisingly effective. Sure, they're not exactly glamorous, and installation day usually involves a few choice words and some wrestling with double-sided tape... but once they're up, they're pretty much invisible. And the bonus? No storage headaches. Come springtime, just peel 'em off and toss 'em—done and dusted.
One tip though: invest in a decent hairdryer or heat gun. Trust me, your arms will thank you later.
I get why shrink film is popular—cheap, easy, and no storage hassle—but honestly, I gave up on it after a couple winters. Maybe it's just me, but every year I'd end up with at least one window that looked like a wrinkled plastic bag no matter how carefully I applied heat. Plus, my cat thought it was a new toy and shredded the bottom edges within days.
What I've found works better (and still doesn't break the bank) is interior storm windows made from wood frames and clear vinyl. They're sturdier than shrink film, reusable, and way easier to store than plexi. Here's how I usually do it:
1. Measure your window openings carefully—twice, trust me.
2. Build simple wooden frames from 1x2 lumber. Nothing fancy, just square corners and screws.
3. Stretch clear vinyl tightly over the frame and staple it down. You can find rolls of clear vinyl at most fabric or hardware stores.
4. Trim off excess vinyl and add foam weatherstripping around the edges for a snug fit.
5. Pop them into place each winter, remove in spring, and stack them flat in the basement or garage.
I've been using mine for about four years now, and they're still clear and holding up great. Sure, it's a bit more upfront work than shrink film, but once they're built, you're set for years. And no more wrestling with double-sided tape or hairdryers every fall...
I've done something similar, but I used magnetic strips instead of foam weatherstripping—makes popping them in and out even easier. And yeah, shrink film + curious pets = disaster waiting to happen... learned that the hard way myself.
Magnetic strips are handy, but honestly, I found them a bit finicky to align properly. Ended up switching back to foam—less elegant, sure, but quicker to install and adjust. Guess it depends on patience levels...
Magnetic strips can be effective, but I agree alignment can be tricky. I've found foam quicker too, especially on older frames where surfaces aren't perfectly straight. Sometimes practicality beats elegance...
I've tried magnetic strips myself, and yeah, alignment can definitely be a headache. Ever spent half an afternoon trying to get them perfectly straight, only to realize the frame itself isn't even level? Happened to me last winter—old house, charming but crooked as anything. Foam was quicker for sure, but I wonder about durability. How long do you find foam lasts before it starts breaking down or losing its seal?
I went the budget route on a few windows a couple years back, using foam strips and some plastic film kits. Worked great initially, but after a season or two, the foam started to crumble and peel away. Maybe it was just cheap foam or bad luck on my part...but it made me skeptical about relying on it long-term. Magnetic strips seem sturdier, but the hassle factor is real.
Has anyone tried combining methods? Like maybe foam for quick sealing and then something else to reinforce it? Or am I just overcomplicating things here? I'm all for practicality, but I also hate redoing the same job every year.