Heat-saving film for windows - is its use justified?

You can save on heating in different ways, and this does not always mean creating less comfortable conditions in your house or apartment. Heat-saving film for windows is a polymer material that is applied to glass so that the air temperature in the room is maintained at a given level. You can find such products of different brands on sale, the coating thickness is usually 90-200 microns, the light transmittance remains at 95% or higher. This film has a high ductility index, therefore, in addition to reducing heat loss, it protects PVC windows from mechanical damage to the glass unit.

What it is?

The structure of the film, which according to its characteristics also belongs to the energy-saving class, is not very complex.
This composite material consists of many layers of negligible thickness - on the order of several microns. Each layer is coated with metal or ceramic deposited using a plasma discharge method in an argon atmosphere. Precious and rare earth metals, chromium and nickel alloys are used. To achieve energy-saving properties, all metallized layers are arranged in a certain sequence. They are symmetrical in location to the middle layer: metal 1 – metal 2 – metal 3 – metal 2 – metal 1. This is done to reduce the reflection of thermal radiation inside the film. The thickness of the metal layers is negligible, so the delay of visible light is negligible. This structure allows you to regulate the temperature in the room in some way.

Thermal film production process

The production of this thermal insulation material is carried out on the basis of knowledge about the properties of the spectrum of sunlight. It consists of three parts:

• infrared radiation;
• visible radiation;
• ultraviolet radiation.

The second part of the solar spectrum, visible, is the light necessary for the occurrence of biological processes in the human body. These physical properties are fundamental in the production of heat-saving film, which has only positive reviews.

Let's consider the pros and cons of this insulation product.

What is this film made of?

Many people, before making any purchase, look for reviews about energy-saving window film among their friends, relatives, or people on the World Wide Web. And of course, they want to know what such a film is.

Energy-saving film is a product of nanotechnology

Despite its apparent simplicity, the energy-saving film uses nanotechnology, and it itself consists of a composite material, which is a multilayer structure.

The film has several layers, in the manufacture of which materials such as silver, gold and even platinum are used. Although, some manufacturers use ceramics.

These materials are applied using plasma discharges, and the layers themselves are joined by maintaining a certain temperature and pressure. After this, the film turns out to be transparent, but at the same time, it can already retain heat in the house in winter and not allow it to pass through in summer, and also prevents infrared radiation from entering the room.

Main problems of heat loss

Now residents of apartment buildings have the opportunity to choose a wide variety of types of windows for their homes. Most often they are made of plastic, since this material provides excellent sound insulation, is easy to manufacture and install, and it looks beautiful.

But still, especially in winter, energy costs increase by 70%, and all due to the fact that heating batteries require more “effort” to heat the room. A similar effect happens in the summer, but from the opposite side - to escape the heat, people turn on air conditioners and fans to cool the room.

Glass also plays a big role in this. Although it seems solid, in some inconspicuous places there are areas through which heat enters or leaves the room. In summer, glass does not prevent the sun's rays from entering the room, heating it up greatly. And some types of glass not only do not reduce this effect at all, but even enhance it.

The logical option would be to close the windows from sunlight, but then the room will be dark, and after a cold winter you really want to enjoy the sun's rays.

Operating principle of heat reflective film

This is why there is a heat-reflecting film on windows, the installation of which allows you to fully enjoy the comfort of the sun, but at the same time not suffer from the high temperature it creates. In addition, you can choose the type of film for yourself, because there are those that are completely invisible to the human eye. And for lovers of twilight, you can choose darker options, thanks to which a cozy twilight will reign in the room. And it is much easier to wash than regular glass, which also has a positive effect on the choice of such a film.

Material advantages

Coverage features:

1. Energy-saving multilayer material. It is endowed with reflective and heat-saving qualities by metal plating - gold, silver, nickel, chrome. High transparency of the coating is maintained.
2. Each layer has a minimum thickness of several microns.
3. The coating is universal - it increases the comfort of staying indoors both in summer and in winter.

Application on the balcony
Advantages of the material:

1. Ensuring the privacy of the premises. Visibility remains only from the inside.
2. The noise level coming through the windows from the street is reduced.
3. Furniture and finishing materials do not fade due to reduced UV radiation.
4. In case of mechanical damage to the glass, the sticky layer holds the fragments.
5. The glass becomes stronger and acquires shockproof qualities. Burglary protection is provided if the film is applied on the street side.
6. The brightness of sunlight decreases and becomes comfortable for the eyes.
7. In winter, heating costs are reduced due to a reduction in heat loss by up to 60%, in the summer - on air conditioning.
8. Service life – over 10 years.

Disadvantages of using thermal film

Main disadvantages:

• The main disadvantage is that this thermal insulation product cannot function normally in the spring season, because during this period the central heating is turned off, and the building no longer receives the necessary heat in cool times.
• The instructions for installing thermal film indicate that it cannot be used in the construction of greenhouses, because plants require electromagnetic radiation to promote uniform growth and development. Therefore, if you use heat-reducing window film in a room where plants are located, it may negatively affect them. You won't have to put them on the windowsill.
• You can achieve the desired result only by strictly following the rules and nuances. Therefore, this work can only be done by professionals. They will perform the application procedure efficiently.

How does film work?

The basis for the production of the film is the polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the thickness of which, depending on the manufacturer and operating conditions of the heat-saving film, can vary from 80 to 200 microns. Due to the high ductility of the heat-saving film, it can, to some extent, increase the strength of window glass, especially when glued directly to its surface. But the biggest advantage is that accidentally broken window glass will not shatter into small pieces. They will remain tightly “glued” to the film in the window frame.

But protecting window glass, of course, is not the main purpose of using heat-saving film.

Thanks to a microscopic layer of rare earth metals deposited on its surface by plasma evaporation and subsequent deposition of metal vapor in an argon environment, a layer is formed that, without interfering with the penetration of rays of the visible spectrum through the film, changes, due to refraction, the transparency of the film for rays of the UV and IR parts of the spectrum Sun. These rays are not visible to the human eye. But IR (infrared) rays are responsible for heat transfer; their film, when refracted, reflects into the room, and it is due to this that its “heat-saving” effect is manifested. But it reflects the rays of the UV (ultraviolet) part of the spectrum, which make up a significant segment of the sun’s light, preventing them from penetrating into the room.

The sun's UV rays have a strong ionizing effect. Being vital for the body in small doses, they contribute to the production of D vitamins in the human body, normal photosynthesis of indoor plants and purification of indoor air from pathogens.

Thermal insulation of PVC windows with thermal film

PVC windows, which have an additional thermal insulation layer as a heat-saving film, are the most durable. Even if there is a strong blow, the glass will not shatter into small pieces, but will only be deformed. This ensures maximum safety. Insulation of plastic windows is also carried out in some cases.

Although the windows have plastic frames that are additionally insulated with rubber seals, the glass still allows cold air flow into the room. Even owners of double-glazed windows will not be able to obtain ideal thermal insulation. Therefore, in this case, it is most appropriate to use film as a “third glass”.

Installation instructions for thermal film

Instructions:

1. Most thermal films have a self-adhesive backing, but some products will stick to the glass due to certain adhesive conditions.
2. Before installation, the glass surface must be prepared. Preparation includes thorough window cleaning. After you have washed them, do not forget to dry them. Additionally, use a degreasing solution for treatment.
3. After this, the installation procedure for the heat-saving film begins. Apply it carefully; when wrinkles appear, you need to smooth them out using a soft rag. Or you can use a special tool that looks like a car window brush.
4. Once you have smoothed out the wrinkles on the surface of the glass, the remaining material must be removed. This can be done using a knife designed for installation.

When is it advisable to use film?

Most manufacturers recommend sticking heat-saving film on the windows of an apartment or balcony only during the cold period - from October to March. It is during this period that protection against heat loss through windows takes effect. The rays of the Sun, trying to penetrate into the room through the windows, carry practically no heat with them in winter, so the reflection of the UV part of the Sun’s light does not cause discomfort, since the films are absolutely transparent and do not give a tinted effect. But the IR (infrared) rays emanating from heating devices, trying to leave the room, are, on the contrary, reflected into the room. This is where the heat-saving properties of the film manifest themselves. Another important factor in which the heat-saving effect is most fully manifested is the technology of applying heat-saving film to glass.

There are two types of films: the most common are heat-shrinkable films that can stretch when heated with warm air from a household hair dryer, and films that are directly glued to the glass using the “wet” method, using soap solutions.

In the first case, the film glued to the window frame with double-sided tape also plays the role of a “third glass”. A thin air layer is formed between the window glass and the film, which, just like the air between the glass panes, is an excellent protection against heat loss.

Window heating

Experts offer a number of non-standard solutions on how to reduce the amount of moisture on windows and normalize their operation. To create an interesting homemade product you need to prepare:

• cable channel;
• self-regulating heating cable 20 W;
• silicone glue or sealant;
• power cord with plug included;
• electrical tape.

The big advantage of heating cables is their maximum heating up to only +60 degrees, safety, and the absence of the need for a temperature controller. Typically, such products are purchased for heating sewer and drainage pipes, but they will also come in handy for windows.

Electrically heated glass unit

To get rid of moisture, cut a piece of cable to fit the bottom of the window. A layer of sealant is applied to the cable channel and the heating cable is glued. One end of it is connected to a wire with a plug and insulated. The second end is also wrapped with electrical tape. The cable channel is snapped on top.

The finished homemade product is placed under the window and the plug is plugged into the socket. Thanks to the circulation of warm air, the windows will always remain dry, and this with minimal energy consumption.

Negative properties of film

In addition to the positive ones, the film also has negative properties.

The most serious of these is the almost complete reflection of the sun's UV rays. Indoor plants growing on a windowsill or balcony suffer the most from this negative property of the film; they begin to wither and die. Therefore, if you use heat-saving film on windows in winter, be sure to provide 12-hour illumination with phyto-lamps for the plants located on your windowsills, which provide the correct radiation spectrum necessary for normal plant growth and allow you to compensate for the lack of natural light from the Sun. True, in this case, there can be no talk of any “energy saving” in your apartment. Even very economical phytolamps on LEDs, with daily illumination of plants for 12 hours, will completely “absorb” your savings on heating the room.

Advantages and disadvantages of heat-saving material

The use of thermal film has many positive qualities, among which it is worth noting:

1. Strengthening. Heat-saving material increases the strength of glass up to 8 kg/cm². When broken, the glass does not crumble into fragments, but remains glued to the film.
2. Saving. After gluing the film onto a single-chamber double-glazed window, its energy efficiency becomes comparable to a two-chamber design.
3. Protection of interior items from fading.
4. Almost 100% UV blocking.
5. Blocking IR radiation within 30-99%.
6. Depending on the type of material, one-way light transmittance.

Thermal film protects well from sunlight and retains heat.
However, thermal film also has disadvantages. The most basic is the almost complete reflection of ultraviolet rays, which negatively affects indoor plants. Therefore, if you use heat-saving film, then provide your plants with additional lighting with photo lamps that provide the radiation spectrum required for their normal growth and development.

The second drawback is the lack of effectiveness in spring and autumn. At a time when centralized heating has not yet been started, the thermal insulation coating will prevent the penetration of heat from the sun's rays into the room.

The film also has the unpleasant property of reflecting radio waves, which can affect the quality of signal reception going to a mobile phone or television receiver. This is due to the fact that metal spraying is used in the production of thermal insulation film.

Advantages of using film

In addition to the fact that there are various options for materials, for example, thermal film for insulating windows, their installation technologies may vary.

Thanks to this, it is possible to organize reliable insulation even in areas with very cold climates, or on inconvenient structures.

Some old facades are equipped with wooden frames, which should not be damaged. In addition, it is often the deterioration of the external qualities of the building that pushes owners away from using film.

To avoid most of the disadvantages associated with this type of insulation, you can place the film indoors.

For ordinary homes or industrial enterprises, it is not necessary to purchase expensive materials. You can buy window insulation film for a low cost at any hardware store.

Regular polyethylene is suitable for this purpose. It can serve as a reliable barrier for at least one season.

Due to deterioration in quality and structural damage, it is gentle to replace it regularly. However, the cost of the material is so low that even a large building can be insulated without spending much.

Why does condensation appear on windows?

In old houses, supply ventilation is not organized in the best way, mainly due to the presence of cracks in the wooden window frames and loose fit of the entrance doors. After replacing outdated products with new ones (plastic double-glazed windows and steel doors with a seal), the supply of fresh air decreases. The result is stagnation of moisture, increased humidity in the house and regular fogging of windows.

Foggy plastic windows

There are other reasons for this phenomenon:

• poor-quality insulation of the house, the use of “non-breathable” heat insulators;
• complete lack of façade insulation or low layer thickness;
• installation of low-grade windows (for example, the cheapest single-chamber packages);
• the window sill is too wide, which impedes air circulation between the window and the battery;
• clutter of window sills with plants;
• regular sudden temperature changes in the house;
• poor general ventilation.

Wide window sill
In all of these situations, condensation – moisture from the air – settles on the window units, so they regularly “fog up”. You can choose any of the methods below to combat this problem.

Effectiveness of protective coating

1. Increased strength of glass. The film covering the glass creates an additional protective layer. This allows you to increase impact resistance by 7-8 kg/m2. But even if the glass breaks, it will not turn into sharp fragments, which will eliminate possible injuries and also make it difficult for intruders to enter the house.
2. High efficiency. Since heat loss will be significantly reduced, energy consumption for heating the house or air conditioning the premises will decrease. Therefore, such films turn the window into a unique and reliable heat shield. Rooms in which light and heat are distributed more evenly experience increased comfort. You can make fuller use of areas near window openings that were previously exposed to aggressive solar radiation.
3. Ultraviolet filtration. The film is capable of blocking up to 90% of ultraviolet and 30% of infrared rays. This allows you to preserve the beauty of the interior in its natural form. The sun does not spare furniture, wallpaper, wood trim, and art objects. The heat-reflecting film successfully resists such effects.
4. Reducing the brightness of the light. Using protective films you can reduce this parameter from 20 to 80%. This will protect your eyes and make it easier to work with the computer and make watching TV more comfortable.
5. Quick and easy installation. Application of coating to windows is carried out very quickly. To perform installation, you only need to provide access to the work site.
6. Mirror film. This is an original addition that can create a one-way appearance in the house. If the material is chosen correctly, viewing from inside the room will be normal, but from the outside you will not be able to look into the house. To do this, the external lighting level must be higher than inside.
7. Data protection. Films that have a very high absorption coefficient of infrared radiation (90-99%) are an obstacle to information leakage. They weaken the intensity of external electromagnetic fields indoors.

Product characteristics

Glass transmits about 35% of the heat from the room, so it is necessary to seal it. Externally, the protective film resembles culinary polyethylene, but it is made of polyester. The high-molecular structure allows the sun's rays to pass through and at the same time does not release heat from the room. The thin material becomes additional glass and functions as a large thermos.

Thanks to the transparent surface, the product is almost invisible on the window. There is no glare on it, since the film does not have a specular reflection. The maximum thickness of the material is 0.14 mm, while it can withstand tension. It does not react to chemical detergents, so they can be used to clean dirt.

The film does not attract dust and does not allow ultraviolet and infrared rays into the room, which can harm the health of humans and pets. The material is environmentally friendly and does not cause allergic reactions. The product has a small mass, and during heat treatment it shrinks.

Overview of species

Architectural thermal film is transparent, it is used on glass windows of buildings, buildings and cars. The usual one does not have transparency; it is placed under suspended ceilings, wall panels, laminate and parquet, and hidden under the trim (upholstery) of the car interior. Both of them separate owners and/or workers from the heat outside in the summer, and retain most of the heat in the winter. In both cases, air conditioning and heating costs are significantly reduced.

Conventional (ceiling and wall, underfloor) thermal insulation film is made on the basis of the following materials:

• foamed polyethylene;
• fibrous polypropylene;
• Mylar fiber or fabric.

Based on the method of applying the heat reflector, the film is divided into the following types:

• foil layer;
• a composite layer obtained by spraying.

Foil in damp rooms is subject to accelerated destruction. Because of this, foil penofol or fiber is not used in baths and saunas, bathrooms, toilets and in the kitchen. The spraying is protected by a thin, microscopic layer of plastic; metal (aluminum) dust particles do not deteriorate. The heated spraying is slightly fused into the polymer base at the production stage. This is a higher technology than foiling, the observance of which is carefully monitored in factories.

Thermal film for walls and floors - stenofon - is similar to ordinary penofol. It has a porous or bubbly structure. It is placed under a decorative covering, which makes it impossible to avoid heating the wall panel from inside the room, but this is not as important as the actual escape of excess heat through the wall to the outside.

Self-adhesive

This subtype is similar to the film used for the screen of a smartphone or tablet. For clear gluing, without air bubbles under specks and fluff, the room is thoroughly cleaned and all “dusty” things and objects are taken out. To protect the adhesive side from dust and moisture during transportation, a protective layer is applied to it by the manufacturer. The production of “self-adhesive” is a technology that requires ultra-clean factory conditions; the same cleanliness is ensured at the consumer's site.

It is difficult to paste this film yourself - one distortion, and it is difficult to remove wrinkles, since removing and re-sticking the same piece of film will dramatically affect the transparency and attractiveness of the window or glass. This film is glued starting from any of the corners, gradually pulling off the protective layer. Tinting a car requires no less care than gluing film to the windows of a house or building.

Third Glass film, used for single-chamber double-glazed windows, comes with double-sided tape of the same transparency.

Heat shrink

Heat shrink option - film for window frame. It is secured with double-sided tape. An air gap is formed under it, preventing heat from quickly leaving the room. The initially glued heat-protective film resembles crumpled polyethylene. To straighten it, direct hot air from a hairdryer onto it - now the stretched material looks neat.

Under soap solution

This coating is similar to tinted glass and is durable. The second advantage is ease of application. Any soap without fragrance additives is suitable as an attractive layer.

Criterias of choice

Only transparent film is suitable for window glass. It will protect against excess ultraviolet radiation and block up to 30% of infrared radiation, but visible light penetrates almost completely into the room. There are darkened and even mirrored options that block some of the visible light - similar to auto-tinting. During the day, the owners will be protected from prying eyes from the outside. The homeowner pays for such secrecy by the inability to grow anything - plants need sunlight. Almost any film that does not leave wrinkles after installation is suitable for the frame. Decorative - will change the color of the frame from white to any of those that were available at the time of purchase in the assortment of the construction market. Don't skimp on quality: cheap films quickly fade and crack from ultraviolet radiation and excess heat.

How to keep warm

In winter, most of the heat is lost through the windows. There are two ways to transfer thermal energy:

• Convection;
• IR radiation.

Convection cannot be avoided; the thermal conductivity of the window can be reduced. For this purpose, there are double-glazed windows. The more chambers and glasses, the less heat loss due to convection.

More than 99% of infrared radiation passes through glass. Due to it, the room cools down in winter. The amount of heat loss through windows is 25-40%. Of these, IR radiation accounts for 15-30%.

If you have an infrared heater installed, then a considerable part of its heat can escape through the double-glazed windows. Read more about the operating principle and types of infrared heaters in this publication.

Installation rules

Heat-reflecting film is not used near a sauna stove or a heated heater. Cheap film supports combustion - it is fire hazardous. You cannot use the film without removing the layer protecting the adhesive side; you cannot glue this layer with glue or tape, trying to save on the film itself. The removed layer protects the side with the adhesive composition, but it itself becomes cloudy from many “stroke” scratches, and visibility through such glass is reduced to an almost matte state.

Before gluing, the surface of the glass or frame is thoroughly cleaned and washed. It is impossible to stick films of all types that do not use a soap solution onto a damp surface that has not been thoroughly dried - bubbles will form, which are extremely difficult to remove without losing the quality of the new coating.

After removing the protective layer, the film must be glued immediately: dust particles and specks will irreversibly damage it if it lies in a protected place for several hours. Some adhesives will simply dry out during this time, and the film will become unsuitable for high-quality installation.

Methods of application and use

The use of protective coatings has a wide range.
Heat-saving film can be installed on the glass of residential buildings, shop windows, and glazing of winter gardens. It is also convenient for protecting the car interior from solar thermal effects. To install it, there is no need to dismantle the glass. Thermal reflective film has two types according to the type of application:

• on an adhesive basis – located on the glass itself;
• “third glass” - installed on top of the frame on the inside of the room.

Installation of a film with an adhesive layer is divided into main stages:

• glass should be washed with ordinary detergents;
• the clean surface is wiped dry and wiped with alcohol to remove possible grease stains;
• the protective layer is removed from the film;
• the film is glued to the glass and smoothed with a soft cloth or a special roller to eliminate wrinkles;
• excess parts are cut off with a knife.

Installation of the second type of coating is more labor-intensive:

• the frame around the perimeter of the window is degreased and double-sided tape is glued to it;
• the size of the film should be determined by the size of the window and an additional 2 cm on each side;
• The protective layer is removed from the tape and the edges of the film are glued to it;
• the film is heated over the entire area for leveling and the desired degree of tension.

The process of installing the protective film is quite complex, so it is better to entrust it to professionals. And the purchase of material should be made only in trusted stores that have the necessary documentation for the product.

Some window manufacturers produce them with film already glued on. Naturally, they are more expensive, but the energy-saving effect is much higher, so they will pay for themselves quickly.

Thermal reflective film is multifunctional and very effective. The benefits of its use cannot be disputed. This coating allows you to make the room exactly the way it appears to each consumer. Regulating heat transfer, illumination and transparency solves these problems quickly and not too expensive.

The use of heat-reflecting films is becoming a good alternative to energy-saving glass. The latter have a significant drawback - reduced transparency of the visible range. And their price is high. Therefore, protective films are increasingly and rightfully winning the sympathy of consumers.

Wet application method

The second method is easier, but more dangerous, because the chance of ruining the film is much higher. This is a wet method using water, in which the film is applied to a wet surface.

First you will need to degrease the glass, and then thoroughly moisten it with shampoo or detergent. After this, the film, which must strictly fit in size, should be carefully stuck to the glass. Then, use a soft roller to gently move it, from the center to the edges, to pull out the remaining water from under the film to prevent bubbles from forming.

Heat shrink method of gluing film onto glass

The main part of the films are heat-shrinkable, the fixation of which requires treatment with hot air streams. A hairdryer at home is sufficient for this.

It should only be applied to a thoroughly washed and degreased window. To do this, you need to use special detergents or alcohol. In addition, there is specialized gasoline “Galosha”, which is intended specifically for these purposes.

Installation is carried out on thoroughly degreased glass.

In order to stick the film evenly, double-sided tape is glued to the frame on both sides. And then place the film itself on it, and then glue it directly onto the glass itself. The film should be pressed from the middle to the edges, while minimally removing the protective coating. It will be much more convenient to do this together. After the entire film is smoothly and evenly pasted onto the glass, the remainder must be trimmed using a stationery knife.

When the film is glued to the glass, it needs to be heated with a hairdryer. Don't bring it too close to the glass, this will damage the layers. Heat the film evenly until it completely adheres to the glass.

Guide to insulation with paraffin and sealant

To eliminate small gaps, you can buy silicone sealant. You need to wash the windows in advance and wait until they are completely dry. Such insulation must not be performed at air temperatures below +5 degrees.

To eliminate small gaps, you can buy silicone sealant

The sealant is very convenient and easy to apply using a construction gun specially designed for this purpose. It is better to remove excess material immediately before it dries. In the future, to remove any leaking sealant, it will be enough to wipe the surface with a cloth slightly moistened with gasoline. You can simply carefully pick it off the glass using a knife.

One of the options for insulating a wooden window

Small cracks can also be sealed with paraffin. To do this, take several paraffin candles or buy ready-made material right away. The paraffin needs to be melted, taken into a syringe of suitable volume and carefully filled with it into each existing crack.

Large defects can be repaired with an ordinary clothesline. Any other lace will do. The rope is tightly pushed into the gap, after which it is filled with paraffin.

Such insulation will last at least 2-3 years. For the rest, focus on the condition of the thermal insulation and add new paraffin if necessary.

Effect of use

You can talk for a long time about what positive properties this film has, but the numbers will tell you best about it. As an example, we took a country house in Moscow. The calculations were carried out in the summer, and the glass area in this room is 18 sq.m. The average daily value of the flux of solar rays entering the surface of a house in the summer is W/m2 for the city of Moscow is 200 W/sq.m. This is 3.6 kW per day, and as much as 108 kW per month.

The film allows you to completely reject 55% of incoming solar energy, or 59.4 kW. The price of 1 kW is thus 3.6 rubles. This turns out to be 213.8 rubles in savings for one month of summer, and this is only for one square meter of area. If you multiply this value by 18 sq.m., you get 3,848.13 rubles per month of energy savings for cooling the room.

Care

Let's find out how to care for glass with energy-saving coating.

It is recommended to wash the windows for the first time no earlier than 5 days after the film has been applied. Moreover, you can only wash the frame, and it is better to wipe the film itself with damp soft cloths: microfiber ones will do.

Abrasive substances cannot be used to care for such a window: their rough structure can scratch the thin coating, removing a thin metal layer from it.

It may also be useful for you to learn more about how to replace the seal on wooden windows.

Ways to keep warm

You can preserve heat using various methods. The most common method of retaining heat is to seal window cracks using polyurethane foam. This helps reduce heat loss by as much as ninety percent. Or you can insulate the walls from the outside and inside.

A modern method is energy-saving films for insulating windows and their use. This material can cope with the task better than other products. Window insulation with heat-saving film is an excellent thermal insulation option.

Cost and reviews

The price category of material and components depends on many factors:

1. Manufacturer's mark (brand).
2. Thickness.
3. Size of canvas (the larger the area purchased, the cheaper).
4. Possible delivery services.
5. Call a specialized worker who can correct some of the nuances.

Preliminary cost by size:

• 1200×2000 mm – 150-200 rubles;
• 1200×3000 mm – 230-300 rubles;
• 1500×2500 mm – 220-310 rubles;
• 2000×3000 mm – 350 rubles;
• 3000×6000 mm – 650-700 rubles;

Examples of prices.

1. Window size 900x1200 mm - will require material in the size of 940x1240 mm and also colorless adhesive tape about 2.4 meters long.
2. The size of a large window is 1500x2000 mm - you need 1520x2020 mm of film, and about 7.3 meters of adhesive tape.

A nuance: all calculations are preliminary, because sometimes trimming of materials is necessary. It is better to leave them a little larger in order to avoid moments of joining with additional sections, which aggravate the situation and contribute to unnecessary seams.

Consumer Reviews

1. User Evgeny. “It seems that I bought normal windows from a well-known company with two cameras, but in winter I noticed ice on the bottom of the glass unit - this really surprised me. I read an article about film and hired workers. They installed it, and all the problems began to resolve themselves. I’m happy, but I don’t know about others.”
2. User Nataporshe. “My husband installed the film on the windows, at first I didn’t feel any special differences, but later I paid attention to the temperature in the apartment. Previously, with the same boiler operation, the rooms were cool, but now they are quite comfortable.”
3. User Kessler. “I installed the film last year, around August, and have not torn it off until now. I didn’t find any visible defects and I think I’ll only take it off when it breaks. I'm satisfied."

To save heat, not only high-quality windows and their timely repair are necessary, but also the use of an auxiliary product by the owner - polymer film.

Despite its unimpressive appearance, it has many advantages, and the main one is maintaining heat in the house. The low cost of the material only increases its popularity among potential consumers.

Ventilator device

Installing additional ventilation will also eliminate the problem with condensation on windows. To work you will need:

• corrugated pipe with a diameter of 5 cm;
• insulation for corrugated pipe according to its diameter;
• mosquito net;
• cable channel 7*7 cm with a pair of plugs;
• self-tapping screws

Assembly of the ventilator is simple. To begin, directly under the window on the outside of the house, make a hole with a diameter equal to the dimensions of the insulation. For this purpose, a hammer drill with a concrete crown is used. If you don't have the right tools, you can call in specialists in air conditioning installation or diamond drilling. The hole should go inside the room just above the heating radiator, but not in the center, but on the right or left.

Drilling a hole for ventilation

When drilling holes, make a slight slope down towards the street. When ready, insulation with a corrugated pipe is installed in it. On the façade side, the pipe is covered with a mosquito net to prevent insects from getting inside.

From the inside, indoors, the structure is cut off with a small margin, so that about 3 cm remains. Afterwards, they take a cable channel along the length of the battery or about a meter, and on one side they make a slot for inserting the corrugation. The cable channel is screwed to the wall with self-tapping screws, connecting to the pipe, and end caps are installed. A 5*5 cm window is cut out in the front cover of the product on the side opposite to the front hole.

When it is cold outside, air will be sucked in through the corrugated pipe and pass through the channel warm from the radiator. As a result, when leaving it it will have a positive temperature.

Important! For a small and medium-sized room, such a pipe is enough to ensure regular air circulation and condensation does not form on the windows.

Video: heat-insulating and heat-saving film for plastic windows

In the video - energy-saving film for windows:

The film achieves its energy-saving goal by refracting heat rays that cannot penetrate outside, turning back into the room.

Energy-saving film, along with protecting the house from heat leakage in winter and in the heat of summer, helps maintain the optimal temperature in the room, preventing it from overheating. Such versatility makes film today an indispensable and very popular material, which is in high demand in relevant stores.

Externally, the film resembles ordinary thin polyethylene, however, its capabilities are much broader and more useful.

The coating is carried out using a special vacuum method, during which a thin layer of metallized spraying is applied to it. As a result of such processing, the material acquires its valuable qualities.

It may also be useful for you to learn more about how anti-burglary fittings are installed on plastic windows.

Sometimes window systems are initially sold with energy-saving double-glazed windows - purchasing such a window is very profitable, and its cost will quickly pay off. But if you previously purchased windows without such a film, then you can buy it separately and stick it on, providing a heat-saving effect. This system is called “third glass”, which, in essence, reflects the principle of operation of the film.

When should it be used?

It is relevant to use film in apartments, houses, offices where there are many windows or a large area. For example, panoramic windows occupy an entire wall and can cause problems in the form of overheating of the room and heat loss in winter.

Windows located on the southern facade of the building need protective coating: to create an optimal temperature, you have to use air conditioning; furniture upholstery and wall decoration regularly lose color.

Living room interior with panoramic glazing

If we compare energy-saving film with similar glasses of class “I” and “K”, the film material is more practical and convenient. The coating does not affect the transparency of the glass. Installation of the material guarantees a comfortable room temperature all year round and reliable protection from solar radiation. The cost of the material is less than double-glazed glass.

Photo of film for window insulation

Sources

• https://propolyethylene.ru/plenka/teplootrazhayushchaya-plenka.html
• https://uteplenieplus.ru/kak-uteplit/okna/energosberegayushhie-plyonki-dlya-utepleniya-okon/
• https://mezhdveri.ru/29553-osobennosti-teplootrazhayushhej-plenka-dlya-okon-plyusy-i-pravila-primeneniya.html
• https://sambalkon.ru/osteklenie/okna/teplosberegayushchaya-plenka-na-okna.html
• https://otopleniehouse.ru/plenka-dlya-utepleniya-okon/
• https://stroy-podskazka.ru/polimernaya-plenka/teplosberegayushchaya/
• https://FasDoma.ru/osteklenie/okna-pvx/energosberegayushhaya-plenka-dlya-okon.html
• https://househill.ru/otdelka/okna/ustanovka/plenki-dlya-utepleniya.html