Checklist · 12 picks · 4 categories

apartment winterizing checklist

Edited by Zach · updated Nov 1, 2026 · How I pick

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Cheapest window fix Duck Brand Shrink Film Window Insulation Kit Best for sealing a few drafty windows for the least moneyunder $15Shop on Amazon
No-install door fix Magzo Door Draft Stopper for Kids Best for renters who can't stick anything to the door$25-50Shop on Amazon
Thermal curtain Best Home Fashion Wide Basic Thermal Blackout Curtain Best for a cold bedroom window that also lets in streetlight$25-50Shop on Amazon

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Your apartment is cold, but you can't swap the windows or rip out the door frame. Good news: everything here goes on in an afternoon and nothing is permanent.

Shrink film turns a leaky window into a sealed one for the season, foam tape fills the cracks around sashes, a draft stopper blocks the gap under the door, and thermal curtains add one more layer at night. Bob Vila's window film picks were installed on real windows, and its draft stoppers sat in front of a drafty door in early winter. Quick check: if you see daylight around the edges of a closed door, Bob Vila says it needs weatherstripping. Check your lease before you stick adhesive on anything. Each card shows the drawback Bob Vila called out, like wrinkly film or tape that's hard to peel.

Who this is not for. Skip this if you own the place and want a permanent fix; the Caulking and Sealing list covers the caulk and tools for that.

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Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.

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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Nov 1, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.

The must-haves

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01 Windows

the first pick is the one I would start with

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Duck Brand Shrink Film Window Insulation Kit	budget	under $15	sealing a few drafty windows for the least money	1 outlet
Frost King Window Insulation Shrink Kit	mid	$15-25	doing every window in a small apartment at once	1 outlet
3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit	mid	$25-50	first-timers who want the easiest install	1 outlet

Best window insulation kit

budget pick · 210 x 62 in film

Duck Brand Shrink Film Window Insulation Kit

Best for sealing a few drafty windows for the least money

Bob Vila's best bang for the buck window insulation kit: a budget kit with a smooth, higher-quality feel that comes with the film, tape and a full instruction manual.

Heads up. Wrinkles and factory imperfections are difficult to remove, and it won't stick to plaster, drywall or unfinished wood

1 outlet. Bob Vila best Bang for the Buck window insulation kit.

under $15

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mid pick · 9 sheets

Frost King Window Insulation Shrink Kit

Best for doing every window in a small apartment at once

Bob Vila's best window insulation kit for multiple windows: smaller sheets are easier to handle, and the wrinkles came out easily with a blow dryer.

Heads up. The tape isn't as high quality as the other kits' tape

1 outlet. Bob Vila best for Multiple Windows window insulation kit.

$15-25

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mid pick · Up to 5 windows

3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit

Best for first-timers who want the easiest install

Bob Vila's best overall window insulation kit: the easiest to install of the bunch, since the sheet can be repositioned before you press it into place.

Heads up. Finding the ends of the sheet can be difficult

1 outlet. Bob Vila best Overall window insulation kit.

$25-50

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02 Gaps

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Frost King V-Seal Weatherstrip	budget	under $15	sliding windows and door jambs	Limited evidence
Storystore Foam Insulation Tape	budget	under $15	old windows with uneven gaps	Limited evidence
Yotache Weather Stripping Foam Seal Tape	mid	under $15	drafty windows you still want to open	1 outlet

Best weatherstripping tape

budget pick · Roll

Frost King V-Seal Weatherstrip

Best for sliding windows and door jambs

Bob Vila's pick for V-strip weatherstripping in its weatherstripping guide: a self-stick strip for the sides of sliding windows and door jambs.

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

under $15

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budget pick · Roll

Storystore Foam Insulation Tape

Best for old windows with uneven gaps

Bob Vila's pick for reinforced foam weatherstripping in its weatherstripping guide: it adapts to larger or uneven gaps and lasts longer than standard foam.

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

under $15

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mid pick · 3/8 in thick

Yotache Weather Stripping Foam Seal Tape

Best for drafty windows you still want to open

Bob Vila's best insulation tape: a foam tape for sealing gaps around drafty older windows that still lets you open and close the window.

Heads up. The foam is a little too stiff to work with, and it was too dense for newer, tight windows

1 outlet. Bob Vila best insulation tape.

under $15

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03 Doors

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Magzo Door Draft Stopper for Kids	mid	$25-50	renters who can't stick anything to the door	1 outlet
Holikme 2-Pack Door Draft Stoppers	budget	$15-25	two drafty doors for the price of one fix	1 outlet
Maxtid Adjustable Door Draft Stopper	budget	$15-25	the front door that whistles in winter	1 outlet

Best door draft stopper

mid pick · 36 in

Magzo Door Draft Stopper for Kids

Best for renters who can't stick anything to the door

Bob Vila's best door draft stopper for kids' rooms: a soft, animal-shaped draft snake that needs no installation and doubles as a doorstop.

Heads up. Shifts when the door opens and closes, and the glass beads could be a hazard if a pet tears it open

1 outlet. Bob Vila best for Kids Rooms door draft stopper.

$25-50

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budget pick · Up to 37 in wide

Holikme 2-Pack Door Draft Stoppers

Best for two drafty doors for the price of one fix

Bob Vila's best bang for the buck door draft stopper: two silicone strips that trim easily, stay in place and are nearly invisible on the door.

Heads up. Arrives rolled, so it's awkward to apply and hard to reposition; get the placement right the first time

1 outlet. Bob Vila best Bang for the Buck door draft stopper.

$15-25

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budget pick · 36 in wide

Maxtid Adjustable Door Draft Stopper

Best for the front door that whistles in winter

Bob Vila's best overall door draft stopper: a quick, simple install that stays in place, trims easily and blocks drafts well.

Heads up. Adhesive backing is hard to peel off, and the Velcro can be tricky to align

1 outlet. Bob Vila best Overall door draft stopper.

$15-25

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04 Curtains

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Best Home Fashion Wide Basic Thermal Blackout Curtain	mid	$25-50	a cold bedroom window that also lets in streetlight	1 outlet
Deconovo Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtain	budget	$15-25	warmer windows on a tight budget	1 outlet
Bodulf Cross-Linen Thermal Blackout Curtains	splurge	$25-50	warmth that still looks like a grown-up apartment	1 outlet

Best thermal curtains

mid pick · Pick by window

Best Home Fashion Wide Basic Thermal Blackout Curtain

Best for a cold bedroom window that also lets in streetlight

Bob Vila's best overall thermal curtain: the top pick for insulation, light blocking and easy cleaning, and the burgundy panel kept out nearly all light.

Heads up. Fabric creases can be difficult to remove, and the back shows the curtain color

1 outlet. Bob Vila best Overall thermal curtain.

$25-50

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budget pick · Single panel

Deconovo Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtain

Best for warmer windows on a tight budget

Bob Vila's best bang for the buck thermal curtain: it looks similar to much pricier curtains and suits a tight budget, though the fabric is lighter.

Heads up. Cheaper materials may not last as long

1 outlet. Bob Vila best Bang for the Buck thermal curtain.

$15-25

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splurge pick · Single panel

Bodulf Cross-Linen Thermal Blackout Curtains

Best for warmth that still looks like a grown-up apartment

Bob Vila's upgrade pick thermal curtain: a high-end, linen-look panel with excellent light blocking and noticeable thermal control.

Heads up. Comes in limited sizes, and it's dry-clean only

1 outlet. Bob Vila upgrade Pick thermal curtain.

$25-50

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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me

Questions people ask

Can you open a window after you put insulation film on it?

Usually not. Bob Vila says treated windows usually can't be opened, so the kits are a seasonal fix. For a window you still want to open, foam tape like the Yotache lets it open and close.

Does window insulation film come off in spring?

Yes, but it isn't reusable: Bob Vila marks every kit it picked as single-use. Its runner-up Duck kit came off easily once the tester got under the tape and pulled it back.

Which door draft stopper is best for renters?

One that doesn't stick to the door. A fabric draft snake like the Magzo needs no installation, while the Holikme and Maxtid attach to the door with adhesive or Velcro, so check your lease first.

apartment winterizing checklist

plan my budget pick an amount ↓

The must-haves

01 Windows