Thermal film instead of third glass: we insulate the house quickly and efficiently

In severe frost it is especially pleasant to sit in a cozy heated house. But, as usual, a glass unit that is too thin leads to significant heat loss. You can, of course, heat it up more, but it is much more economical to use thermal film to insulate windows. It is called the “third glass”, “energy saving”. For many, it becomes a real salvation.

Thermal film on windows - warmth in the house: how does it work?

It's no secret that in winter most of the heat escapes through the windows. Loss cannot be avoided, but the thermal conductivity of the glass unit can be reduced. It is most effective to use several cameras and glasses (the more, the better).

When windows are insulated with thermal film, a chamber is formed similar to the one in a double-glazed window. Some films additionally reflect infrared radiation that comes from devices in the room back. What it looks like:

Thermal film prevents thermal radiation from leaving the room and keeps it inside, increasing heating. But the sun's heat cannot penetrate into the room, which can be useful during the hot summer months.

The material may contain microscopic particles of metals or ceramics. The layer is invisible to the eye and is only a few microns. Remaining transparent to humans, the film acts as a screen for the heat in the apartment. In other words, it divides the sun's ray into spectra, transmits light and reflects heat.

A good thermal film can reflect up to 80% of thermal radiation.For a private house this is approximately 20-30% of the total heat loss, and for an apartment – ​​as much as 30-50%. In an apartment building, heat does not escape through the roof, floor or walls. Neighbors live behind them. Windows are the most vulnerable place in apartments.

How to stick it correctly

There are different types of heat-saving films. They are self-adhesive and heat-shrinkable. The installation method depends on the selected material and may also differ from one manufacturer to another. Correctly follow the instructions for the selected film. It is printed on the packaging or a special insert.

• Heat shrink heat-saving films are glued to double-sided tape around the perimeter of the frame, and then heated with a hairdryer. As a result of heating, they are smoothed out.
• Self-adhesive Heat-saving films often additionally play the role of tinting for glass. They are applied to a window moistened with a weak soap solution, and the liquid is expelled with a soft cloth.

Important. Shrink film is mounted on the frame, not on the glass. A thin air layer should form between it and the window.

Step-by-step instructions for installing the “third glass”

When talking about “third glass”, they most often mean shrink film for windows. Step-by-step instructions for installing it are as follows:

1. Wash the windows and frame. Degrease the frame further.
2. Thermal film can be used to insulate plastic and wooden windows. The main thing is to ensure reliable adhesion of the tape to the surface.
3. Place double-sided tape around the perimeter of the sash (on the area of ​​the frame behind the glazing bead).
4. Separate the layers of film and cut the canvas to the size of the adhesive tape frame with a margin of 2-4 cm on each side.
5. Remove the protective paper from the top strip of tape. Glue the film.
6. Expose the tape on the sides and bottom, fixing the canvas at the same time.
7. You can ignore wrinkles and small folds. There is no need to over-tighten the fabric. The main thing is that the thermal film adheres firmly and evenly to the tape.
8. Turn on a hairdryer (or a regular household one) and direct a stream of warm air onto the film. It should be kept at a distance of 20-30 cm. Very quickly the film will begin to shrink until it becomes perfectly smooth and transparent.

Important. Thermal film will only adhere well to sealed windows. If the wind blows between the glass and the frame, it will inflate like a sail. Before installing the “third glass” on problem windows, first glue the joints.

“Third glass” is often installed from inside the room. But it can also be mounted outside. This is done by people who are afraid of damage to the film by pets or small children.

Advantages and disadvantages

The material is very popular. Thermal films “third glass” are used for insulation of private houses, enterprises, hospitals, and kindergartens. It has many advantages:

• Saves heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer.
• Easy to install.
• Affordable.
• Does not attract dust and dirt.
• Transparent, does not impair visibility and lighting.
• Eliminates condensation on windows and ice crusts.
• Protects wallpaper and furniture from fading.

But there are also disadvantages:

• Thermal film negatively affects the growth of flowers on the windowsill (not suitable for greenhouses). To feed plants, they need ultraviolet light, which the film does not transmit.
• In spring and autumn, heating of the home from the street worsens. Thermal film prevents solar heat from entering the house. During the period when the batteries are cold and there is no need to retain heat from the inside, it worsens the microclimate.
• Over time, the “third glass” begins to move away from the adhesive tape. As a rule, this occurs 6-9 months after installation. Then a complete replacement is made. And everything would be fine, but it’s not easy to clean the frame from the tape.

Reviews

Thermal films for window insulation have been around for many years, so there are a lot of reviews about them. Customer comments are both positive and negative:

Inna:

“I learned about thermal film from the report “Simple tips for insulating houses.” I ordered it and installed it. The film is very thin, so I doubted the result. But he is. Instead of 20 degrees, the thermometer consistently shows +22+23 degrees.”

Konstantin Alexandrov:

“I have a corner apartment, plus a bed near the window. Three years ago I tried to apply thermal film. The glass became warmer, and it was even a little hot in the apartment. I don't like the fact that the film peels off from the tape. In addition, over time, the tape turns yellow and becomes noticeable on white plastic. Every spring you have to tear everything off and re-sculpt it in the fall. I'm already tired of it. And this is a good insulation option.”

Alexander:

“I have wooden windows, and I decided to glue thermal film. It's difficult to work with her alone. When heated, the stretched film shrinks and comes off the tape. But after suffering there is an effect. The temperature in the house increased by 3 degrees, and the glass stopped leaking. I recommend".

Alina:

“The idea is not bad, but it needs some work. The thermal film adheres simply super. The glass does not sweat, it becomes warmer. Only after a sharp change in the weather does this whole thing lag behind the glass. Our film lasted a week. Maybe I got a defective one, I don’t know. I won’t risk experimenting anymore.”

Questions and answers

Question: Where to buy thermal film and how much does it cost?

Answer: Thermal film can be found at a hardware store or ordered online. Its cost depends on the footage, thickness and manufacturer. Most often, the product is sold complete with transparent double-sided tape. The price ranges from 200 to 1500 rubles.

Question: Which thermal film is better?

Answer: The best are considered to be special heat-protective films with a thickness of 40 microns, made with the addition of nanoceramics. They are installed on windows of shopping centers and car windows. They come in tinted and transparent varieties, can last for years and reduce heat loss by up to 30-40%. They are applied like a protective film for phone screens. Most often, specialists are hired for installation.

Question: How to properly clean windows insulated with thermal film?

Answer: Just like regular ones. Even the thinnest films of 0.10-0.14 mm can withstand a tensile force of up to 25 kgf/cm². Wrinkles formed after washing smooth out on their own over time. To speed up the process, you can blow them with a hairdryer.

Thermal film for windows can be compared to an ambulance. The product is easy to install, affordable and helps to quickly solve the problem of cold in the apartment. Within a few hours after pasting the windows, the temperature in the room rises by 3-4 degrees. But you shouldn’t treat it as a panacea. Film tends to wear out, even the best and most expensive. Rather than re-glue it from year to year, it is better to save up money and change the double-glazed window. They are also energy-saving, soundproofing and various others.