I have an older home and with these winter temps, I have noticed how cold all the windows in the house are to the touch. I have seen that plastic that you can put on windows to add insulation. Does that really work? I can't afford to replace all my windows at this point, but I definitely want to save some energy and some money.

Please help?

I didn't see a marked improvement last year, so I didn't do it again this year. Maybe I installed it wrong or maybe I was expecting too much. If anyone has information on if and how this stuff works, I would like to know as well.

IMO its just too much hassle. I don't see there being some great energy benefit from such a small film of plastic. If it was that easy, wouldn't window companies already be adding the film to the windows at time of manufacture?

It really all depends on the condition of your existing windows. With the original windows in my house, I could always feel the cold air blowing in through the windows. Putting the plastic up over them blocked the cold air from blowing through. Eventually, I installed new energy efficient windows in a few rooms. With the new windows, there was a very noticeable reduction in the amount of cold air flowing in, so I stopped installing the plastic film over those windows. Eventually, I upgraded all the windows, so now I do not use the plastic any more.

The point is, if you already have good windows in your house, you won't notice much improvement by installing the plastic film. However, if you have old, leaky windows that allow the cold air to blow right through, then you will see a huge reduction in cold air blowing in when you install the plastic film over those windows.

Rick

...another 2 cents worth, most older homes with drafty windows have windows that were poorly sealed. So you many times will have more draft coming from between the window and the framing trying to come from underneath the trim.

If your windows are newer, using the low expanding foam will be a good option between the window and framing, if they were installed with just Fiberglas insulation.

If you are doing a major remodel, i.e. new siding exterior, or tearout of interior, consider the following upgrades:

Exterior: If you remove the sheathing down to the studs, install 1" of extruded polystyrene directly to the studs and then put your sheathing over that. It will closely mimic the effect of a SIP exterior skin. Make sure all window and door openings are sealed with low expanding foam and that you have installed the house wrap according to proper weather proofing standards. You can go to the Tyvek website for good directions on how to install properly.

Interior: If you have torn the plaster/sheetrock off, use spray foam to at least cover the inside of the exterior wall sheathing with 1" of foam. This will create a great air break and provide a good starter R-value. If you can afford it, use the spray foam to totally insulate the walls. Be sure to fill all penetrations through the top and bottom plates, and the area below the floor inside against the rim joists.

Ceiling, If you are remodeling and can access the attic space above the conditioned area of the house, then installing foam board on top of the ceiling joists, or again spraying an 1" of foam over the entire surface of the ceiling surface before placing the blown-in insulation will help greatly.

!! Caution!! If you have ceiling installed light fixtures, i.e. can lights, be sure to box them in first with room to breath with dry wall up in the attic. Then spray the foam over the box to seal it in. If you need to access the light later from the inside you won't have a problem, nor will you create a fire hazard with the foam causing heat build up in the fixture.

Regards,
Ed Staelens
President
Virtual Architec LLC
http://virtual-architec.com

Great advice. I can't do anything near a full remodel right now. I definitely have the effect of feeling almost a breeze near my windows. From what I am hearing, the plastic may be my best choice as I gradually replace the windows with higher performing ones. Is there a biodegradable product on the market? I worry that using a petrochemical plastic product to save energy is kind of like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I found a company that is marketing it's plastic that is completely biodegradable. I sent them an email to see who sells their product to end users. I will let you know what I find. Here is their website if you want to read about it: http://www.bio-tec.biz/
Regards,
Ed Staelens
Virtual Architec LLC
http://virtual-architec.com

Wow!.. That would be great. Thanks for the efforts. Is it still a petrochemical plastic? I know that there are some products out there using additives to assist in the breakdown of the plastics, but in the end they are still plastics made from oil. My old boss had a coffee mug made from a corn plastic. That sounds a whole lot better to me than petrochemicals.

I still haven't heard back from them yet. But here is a link you might want to bookmark: htt://yourpetrochemicalnews.com

That site is just news from within and through the petrochemical industry. There are several arguments out there against our use of oil to support our lives. We will never be completely off of this substance, but to use it for everything is not healthy for the planet or our species.

But I digress. That's a topic for another forum.

On the topic of plastic over windows, its a good idea if you have problems with leaking or single pane windows but when it comes to newer more efficient windows, there is a diminishing rate of return when it come to the plastic approach. If you have triple pane argon filled windows, you would hardly notice the difference because it would be infinitely small. If you have leaky single pane windows, you will notice the difference the same day.

Does the product work. Yes, but to the topic of how much they work, it is dependent on the type, age and performance of your windows.

I agree about all of the talk about plastic over windows not being for everyone. luvstrees says it best with the talk of diminishing returns. If you have good windows, you won't need to use the plastic, but if you have older inefficient windows, it may help. Then again, if you have old inefficient windows, shouldn't you think about upgrading to better windows anyway?

I would go with phased replacement of windows. Not only does plastic coating your windows only provide small increases in efficiency that are diminished the better windows you have, but they are plastic. Plastic made for oil. Replacing your windows may cost more, but you will make that money back over time and won't have to use petro-products to do so.

I started replacing my windows two years ago. The economy hasn't helped me one bit, but I am about half way done. The original plan was to be done this year. I have seen some improvement, but seeing as how the bigger windows still aren't done, that may have something to do with that.

I own an older home with single pane windows and I knew for years that they were losing heat. My new windows aren't top of the line or anything but I can see marked improvements in the rooms with the new windows.

I used to do the plastic thing and I saw improvements, but not like replacing the windows. The plastic is alot of work and it can get messy when its time to take it off. You can't do sliding glass doors that you want to use in the winter either. The plastic can work for some people, but the colder your winters are and the longer winter lasts, the more you need to consider replacing windows like I did.