Longer-Lasting Alternatives: Interior Storm Windows
If you like the idea of sealing windows from the inside but want something more durable than plastic film, consider interior storm windows.
These are clear panels (acrylic or glass) that mount on the interior side of your existing windows and typically include built-in weatherstripping.
Benefits of interior storms:
- Last for decades instead of a single season
- Provide similar air sealing and insulating effect as shrink film
- Look cleaner and more permanent
- Often easier to remove and reinstall each season
Most interior storm windows are custom-made to fit your exact opening and either:
- Fit into tracks mounted around the window, or
- Use a compressible weatherstrip perimeter so they press into place without permanent fasteners
They cost more upfront than shrink-film kits, but if you plan to stay in your home for several years and have drafty older windows, they can pay off in both energy savings and comfort.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need brand-new windows to survive winter comfortably. A quick inspection, a few tubes of caulk, and either a simple shrink-film kit or interior storm panels can transform drafty windows into tight, energy-saving barriers.
Start with the worst offenders—the rooms that feel the coldest or windiest—and you’ll notice the difference almost immediately in both comfort and your heating bill.
