Those shrink-film window insulation things...

[puglogic]

I have a couple of windows that are good candidates for that clear weatherproofing film for windows.  But I'm worried about the double-sided tape you stick the stuff to (before hitting it with the blow dryer).   Does that double-sided tape ever come OFF?  Or am I stuck with it (no pun intended) forever once I put it up? 

[dycker1978]

I have never had too much trouble getting the tape off... does take a little time, but comes off good once you get it started.

[rocksinmyhead]

I've always had it come off really easily.

[MrWednesday]

The tape is really poor and will come off in a season or two on its own,so if you wanted to remove it after a season it should be fairly easy to do. I'm sure this weak tape is intentional so you have to buy a new kit every few years. As an alternative you could make these reusable ones that are double thick and attractive. http://www.midcoastgreencollaborative.org/storms.html

I personally am using outside velcro and 4mil thick frost king brand plastic sheeting on the removable  bugscreens, and plan to switch them out every season as needed. Cost ends up about $3.75 a window. The 4mil sheeting isn't quite as clear as the other stuff, but since it is under the bug screen it isn't too noticeable.

Happy heating!

[SweetTPi]

Does anyone have any suggestions on alternatives that are more puncture proof?  This is the first year I've used the shrink-film material, and I like the idea of building the interior storms.  However, my current application has several patches at the moment, as my cat seems to like to investigate it with her claws (likely, a bird is on the other side of the window).

[zolotiyeruki]

I've used the window film in the past.  The tape comes off easily.

While we're on the topic, I'd like to get storm-window-like things that slide in the place of the screens, so I can swap them out in the winter.  Is there a commercial source of these somewhere, or am I stuck making my own?

[Manguy888]

I'd spend the extra few dollars for a name brand like 3M. In my experience their tape comes right off no problem. The one time I bought a cheap knockoff the tape ripped off some of my paint.

[Torgo]

Living in a very old rental with very bad windows and doors.  The tape is horrible, it popped right off after a few gusts of wind.  Had to redo it with different tape that didn't come with it.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

The tape works fine on my metal window frame. But I couldn't get the film to shrink and abandoned the whole project. Sigh.

[Sibley]

If you're putting the tape on improperly painted wood, then you might have some issues with paint removal. Possibly enough to force you to strip and repaint the window.

[Kaspian]

My window frames are plastic and when I take off the sheet in the spring I can NEVER properly get the tape off.  It sticks like a beast!  After a few years it sort of turns into a yellow, brittle, flaky stuff.  ...And that makes it harder to put up new ones the next year 'cause residue pieces of old years are flaking off when I try to get the new tape adhered.  I've tried solvents and paint scrapers to try and get the damn tape residue off and neither works.  (Don't use a paint scraper on a plastic window frame, you'll scratch the hell out of it.)