Why there are Amazon links here: Brave Review is paid a commission for qualifying Amazon purchases made through the links below. Your price does not change, and using our links is entirely optional. How this works
Best Draught Proofing for a House with Single Glazed Windows
Single glazed windows lose heat in two ways: through the glass itself and through the gaps around the frame. This guide covers five affordable fixes for the second problem, from full-window shrink film kits to narrow foam strips and clear sealing tape. It suits renters who cannot replace glazing, homeowners patching a few cold rooms before winter, and anyone sealing a window-mounted air conditioner. The overview table below shows each pick at a glance; detailed reviews and a buying checklist follow.
Overview of the Picks
| Product | Key Spec | Best Use | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck Brand Window Insulation Kit | 62 in x 420 in shrink film, fits up to 10 windows | Whole-house seasonal sealing | Budget |
| Weather Stripping Tape (2 in x 90 Ft, Clear) | 2 in wide, 90 ft roll, clear | Windows and AC units | Budget |
| Strong Self-Adhesive Weather Stripping (Grey, 2 Pack) | 0.35 in wide, 0.2 in thick, 65 ft x 2 | Door and window gaps needing bulk | Budget |
| Window Weather Sealing Tape (2 in x 105 FT) | 2 in wide, 105 ft, ultra-clear, residue-free | Large jobs and long runs | Mid-range |
| Air Conditioner Tape Weather Stripping (2 in x 33 ft) | 2 in wide, 33 ft, 20 mil thick, clear | AC units and deep gaps | Budget |
1. Duck Brand Window Insulation Kit — Best Overall for Whole-House Coverage
Type: Rolled shrink film kit with window tape
Film size: 62 in x 420 in
Coverage: Fits up to 10 windows
Installation: Indoor, cuts to size
Included: Window tape
This is the classic approach to single glazing: a clear film stretched across the whole window and shrunk tight. The kit includes the double-sided tape, so the film adheres to the frame rather than the glass, and the roll is long enough to cover a typical house’s windows in one purchase. The film is crystal clear, so daylight still comes through, and it installs from indoors, which matters in cold weather. It is the pick for a homeowner sealing several rooms at once.
Who It Suits: Best for anyone treating a whole house before winter, or for renters who want a removable layer that does not touch the glass. It also helps with condensation on cold panes. Trade-off: Shrink film is a seasonal product — it is not designed to be peeled off and reused, so it is a yearly purchase rather than a one-time fix.
2. Weather Stripping Tape (2 in x 90 Ft, Clear) — Best for Windows and AC Units
Type: Clear sealing tape
Width: 2 in
Length: 90 ft
Color: Clear
Intended use: Window gaps and air conditioners
A straightforward clear tape aimed at the gaps around window sashes and the seams around a window air conditioner. At two inches wide it bridges wider gaps than thin film tape, and the clear finish keeps it unobtrusive on white frames. The 90-foot roll covers a lot of window edges, making it a sensible first purchase for a renter with a few drafty rooms.
Who It Suits: Good for quick fixes around sashes and AC units, especially where a permanent seal is not allowed. Trade-off: Clear tape is a short-term seal — it is not built to survive many seasonal removals, and it can leave adhesive behind on some painted frames.
3. Strong Self-Adhesive Weather Stripping (Grey, 2 Pack) — Best for Door and Window Gaps
Type: Self-adhesive foam weather stripping
Width: 0.35 in
Thickness: 0.2 in
Length: 65 ft per roll, 2-pack
Color: Grey
Intended use: Doors and windows
This is a narrow, thick foam strip with an adhesive backing, sold as a two-pack of long rolls. The narrow profile suits the thin gap between a window sash and its frame, while the thickness lets it compress and fill uneven gaps. It also blocks dust and dulls sound, so it earns its place in bedrooms and on exterior doors. The grey color blends with most frames better than white foam on darker trim.
Who It Suits: Best for buyers who want a reusable, non-film fix for rattling sashes and door edges. Trade-off: Foam strips compress over time and lose some of their spring, so high-traffic doors may need a fresh strip after a season or two.
4. Window Weather Sealing Tape (2 in x 105 FT) — Best for Large Jobs and Long Runs
Type: Ultra-clear insulation tape
Width: 2 in
Length: 105 ft
Finish: Ultra-clear, residue-free
Intended use: Windows, doors, AC units
The longest roll in this roundup, aimed at buyers with many windows or a mix of windows, doors and AC units to seal. The ultra-clear finish is designed to stay nearly invisible on glass and frames, and the residue-free claim matters for renters who need to remove it cleanly at the end of the season. It is marketed as all-season, so it can stay up through summer and winter rather than being a winter-only fix.
Who It Suits: Best for a whole-flat or whole-house sealing job where one long roll beats several short ones. Trade-off: Residue-free tape still depends on a clean, dry surface at application, and it costs more than the basic clear tapes for the same width.
5. Air Conditioner Tape Weather Stripping (2 in x 33 ft) — Best for AC Units and Deep Gaps
Type: Thick clear sealing tape
Width: 2 in
Length: 33 ft
Thickness: 20 mil
Intended use: AC units, window gaps, doors
This tape is noticeably thicker than the standard clear options, which makes it better at filling the deeper gap left around a window air conditioner or a badly fitting sash. The clear finish keeps it discreet, and the residue-free formula is aimed at seasonal removal. At 33 feet it is a short roll, so it is a targeted purchase rather than a whole-house one.
Who It Suits: Best for a single window AC unit or one or two problem windows where thickness matters more than length. Trade-off: The short roll runs out fast on a whole house, and thick tape can be harder to press into tight corners than thin film tape.
Before You Buy
- Material: Shrink film seals the whole pane and adds a dead-air layer; tape and foam strips seal the gaps around the frame. Many houses need both.
- Size: Measure the gap before choosing — narrow foam strips suit thin sash gaps, while two-inch tape bridges wider ones.
- Compatibility: Check that tape will not damage painted or varnished frames, and choose a residue-free option for rentals.
- Coverage: Match the roll length to the job — a 105 ft roll suits a whole house, a 33 ft roll suits one AC unit.
- Installation surface: Tape and film adhere best to clean, dry frames, so wipe down edges before applying anything.
- Storage: Leftover film and tape should be kept flat and dry so they are usable next season.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does draught proofing work on single glazed windows? Yes. Sealing the gaps around the frame stops cold air entering and warm air escaping, which is often the bigger loss on an older single glazed window.
- What is the cheapest way to draught proof a single glazed window? Clear sealing tape is the lowest-cost option and works well for small gaps. Shrink film kits cost a little more but cover the whole pane.
- Can renters use these products? Yes, provided the tape is residue-free and removable. Shrink film is a popular rental fix because it attaches to the frame rather than the glass.
- Should film and tape be used together? They can be. Tape handles the gaps around the sash, and film adds an insulating layer across the glass.
- When should draught proofing be applied? Before the cold season starts, on a dry day, so the adhesive bonds properly to a clean frame.
Bottom Line
For most houses with single glazed windows, the Duck Brand Window Insulation Kit is the strongest single purchase: it covers up to ten windows, includes the tape, and adds a clear insulating layer across the glass. Buyers with only gap problems around sashes or AC units can solve them for less with a roll of clear sealing tape.
