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For the cold spell discussed around Winter Storm Fern in January 2026—and for any future freeze—the cheapest effective window fix depends on where air is leaking. Use caulk for small, fixed cracks; weatherstripping for moving sashes; and a shrink-film kit when you want a temporary insulated layer over the whole opening. A draft snake, bubble wrap and insulated curtains can add short-term comfort, but they do not replace repairing a leak in the frame.
The five methods below are reversible, low-cost approaches. None has a reliable, source-backed dollar-savings percentage for an individual home, so treat them as draft and comfort measures rather than guaranteed bill reductions.
Choose the fix that matches the leak
| Method | Best target | What you need | Access and visibility | Guidance strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shrink-film kit | Leaks around the frame and cold glass | Clear film, double-sided or magnetic tape, cleaning supplies and a hair dryer | Blocks normal window and sometimes blind operation while installed | Directly described by ENERGY STAR |
| Weatherstripping | Gaps at an operable sash | Weatherstrip compatible with the window material and movement | Usually preserves operation when correctly fitted | Recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) |
| Caulk or rope caulk | Small stationary cracks and trim gaps | Appropriate caulk or removable rope caulk | Can prevent opening if applied to moving parts | Recommended for suitable gaps by DOE |
| Draft snake | A gap along the lower edge | Fabric or a ready-made draft stopper | Reversible; can obstruct the sill or nearby access | Practical temporary measure described by Tom’s Guide |
| Bubble wrap | Emergency covering for cold glass | Bubble wrap and a temporary way to hold it in place | Reduces visibility and access; no standardized installation or performance is established here | Improvised option named by Tom’s Guide, not specifically endorsed by the government sources below |
1. Install a shrink-film window insulation kit
A shrink-film kit is the clearest all-in-one temporary option. The package normally contains clear plastic film and double-sided or magnetic tape. The film creates a still-air layer and, when installed over the frame, can reduce air movement around the window.
- Measure the opening and choose a kit that covers it.
- Clean and dry the frame so the adhesive can bond.
- Apply the tape according to the kit directions.
- Attach the film without leaving large folds.
- Use a hair dryer to tighten the film as directed; do not overheat the frame or film.
ENERGY STAR’s instructions note that film can interfere with mini-blinds and make the window inaccessible. Before covering a window, confirm that the room still has a required exit and that you can reach any emergency egress opening. Removal is seasonal, and adhesive residue is possible, so test an inconspicuous area if the frame has a delicate finish.
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- Save on energy costs during cold weather months. Duck Max Strength shrink window film is puncture-resistant and two times thicker than standard window kits to create an airtight seal inside your home to block drafts and cold weather
- Easy-to-install roll of shrink film means no measuring needed - once applied, cut film to size
- Tools needed: scissors and hair dryer. For best results apply window films indoors on clean and dry surfaces, including painted or finished wood, aluminum or vinyl
- After installation, crystal clear and transparent window film is easy to see through. Once season is over, the window kit removes easily
- Window Kit includes 1, 62" x 210" roll of shrink film and 1, 0.5" x 84' foot roll of tape; Can insulate up to 5 standard sized 3' x 5' windows
2. Add weatherstripping to a movable sash
Weatherstripping is the appropriate starting point when the draft appears where a window opens and closes. DOE recommends weatherstripping movable window parts; the strip must be compatible with the window material and still allow the sash to move and latch.
How to use it
- Close the window and identify the moving joint where daylight, dust or a noticeable draft enters.
- Clean and dry the contact surface.
- Choose a product whose label suits the frame material, gap size and movement.
- Apply it without covering drainage paths, locks or hinges, then reopen and relatch the window to check for binding.
Weatherstripping is more reversible than caulking a sash shut and is therefore the better choice for a window you may need to ventilate or use as an exit.
Rank #2
- Save on energy costs during cold weather months. Duck Max Strength shrink window film is puncture-resistant and two times thicker than standard window kits to create an airtight seal inside your home to block drafts and cold weather
- Easy-to-install roll of shrink film means no measuring needed - once applied, cut film to size
- Tools needed: scissors and hair dryer. For best results apply window films indoors on clean and dry surfaces, including painted or finished wood, aluminum or vinyl
- After installation, crystal clear and transparent window film is easy to see through. Once season is over, the window kit removes easily
- Window Kit includes 2, 62" x 210" roll of shrink film and 2, 0.5" x 54' foot rolls of tape; Can insulate up to 10 standard sized 3' x 5' windows
3. Seal fixed cracks with caulk or rope caulk
Use caulk for small, stationary gaps in trim or between fixed components. For a removable, short-term seal, rope caulk can be pressed into a narrow crack and removed later. DOE’s winter guidance identifies caulking small gaps and using rope caulk or film around leaky windows as practical measures.
Where it belongs
- Stationary joints between the frame and surrounding trim.
- Small cracks that do not need to open, flex or drain.
- Gaps identified after cleaning the surface and checking that they are not part of the window’s drainage system.
Follow the product label for surface preparation, temperature and curing. Do not caulk across a moving sash, hinge or lock if the window must continue to operate. A permanent bead can make future repairs harder and may damage a finish when removed.
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Rank #3
- Designed for interior use on windows
- Accommodates up to 4 standard sized windows
- Shrinks with hair dryer and applies with included double-faced tape
- Each sheet measures 62 in. L x 42 in. W
- Helps R-value increase up to 90%
4. Block the bottom gap with a draft snake
A draft snake is a fabric tube or commercially made draft stopper placed along the lower edge of a window or sill. It is a quick, reversible barrier when cold air is entering at the bottom, especially in a rental or during a single cold night.
Use the simplest safe version
- Choose a tube long enough to span the gap and heavy enough to stay in place.
- Set it against the lower edge without wedging it into a track or covering a drainage opening.
- Remove it if it interferes with opening the window, blinds, a heater or an emergency exit.
This method cannot seal a leaking side joint or cracked trim. The source article’s original construction description is inconsistent, so a ready-made stopper or a plainly sewn fabric tube is preferable to relying on an ambiguous recipe.
Rank #4
- Save on energy costs during cold weather months. This rolled window kit creates an airtight seal inside your home to block drafts and cold weather
- Easy-to-install roll of shrink film means no measuring needed - once applied, cut film to size
- Tools needed: scissors and hair dryer. For best results apply window films indoors on clean and dry surfaces, including painted or finished wood, aluminum or vinyl
- After installation, crystal clear and transparent window film is easy to see through. Once season is over, the window kit removes easily
- Window Kit includes 3, 62" x 210" rolls of shrink film and 3, 0.5" x 54' foot rolls of tape; Can insulate up to 15 standard sized 3' x 5' windows
5. Use bubble wrap only as an improvised temporary covering
Bubble wrap may be useful when it is already on hand and the immediate goal is to make cold glass feel less exposed. However, the official sources reviewed do not establish a standardized bubble-wrap installation, R-value or energy saving for windows. Present it as an emergency, short-term covering—not as an equivalent to a tested window-film kit.
Trade-offs to expect
- It reduces visibility and can make the window difficult to operate.
- Adhesives or tape may leave residue or mark the finish.
- It does not repair a crack or seal a movable sash.
- Remove it if condensation, trapped moisture or damaged finishes become apparent.
If you need a clear, fitted seasonal barrier, use a shrink-film kit instead.
Best Value
- Window insulation kit Contains 62"x 420" Of Window Clear Shrink Film And 1/2 Inch By 168 Feet Roll of Double Sided Tape
- Clear Insulation Shrink Film To Keep Out The Wind And Cold, Dust Prevention
- By Insulating Your Window Save Energy Costs And Reduce Heat Loss
- Crystal Clear Shrink Film Without Blocking Sunlight
- Easy And Quick Installation
Add curtains or shades without adhesive
Insulating drapes or shades are a useful complement to any sealing method. FEMA recommends insulating drapes or shades. DOE advises opening south-facing curtains during sunny daytime hours and closing them at night to admit useful sunlight while limiting the chill from cold glass. Keep fabric clear of heaters and do not let a curtain replace a required exit path.
A practical order of operations
- Find the leak: feel for moving air, inspect the sash joints and look for fixed cracks around trim.
- Weatherstrip the operable joint.
- Caulk or rope-caulk stationary cracks.
- Add film when the whole window remains cold or leaky after frame repairs.
- Use a draft snake or bubble wrap only for a quick, reversible stopgap.
- Close insulating curtains at night and reopen appropriate south-facing coverings in daylight.
For a durable upgrade beyond temporary weatherization, ENERGY STAR describes certified storm windows as one option; suitability depends on the existing window, climate and project requirements. Local utilities may offer incentives, and eligible low-income households can ask about the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program. DOE’s reported program-wide average savings of $372 or more per household per year is an evaluation of that assistance program, not a prediction for an individual window-film or DIY project.
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