We all know those videos that started on Facebook and reached TikTok of fixes or repairs in less than five minutes. Some were useful, others logic itself told you that it couldn’t be like that. In this line and with the arrival of the cold, ingenuity sharpens, last winter the trick was simple: Use a plastic film that adheres to the window frame and is sealed with tape, creating an additional layer of insulation. However, they have now changed it to a Finnish trick that uses bubble wrap. Finnish trick. The trick consists of using bubble wrap as insulation for windows during winter. By spraying water on the glass and placing the smooth side of the plastic, the bubbles act as a layer of air that improves thermal insulation, reducing cold entry and heat loss. It’s a cheap and easy solution, although visibility will be somewhat blurry. You can keep it all winter if placed correctly. But is it safe or recommended? A video taken from social networks must be taken with a grain of salt, because we do not know if it really works. In this case, the trick can offer A temporary, economical and easy solution to improve the insulation in windows. In this Finnish trick, the efficiency lies in the layer of air trapped inside the bubbles, which acts as a thermal insulator. However, this method is not a long-term option and can become damaged over time if not installed properly. Along those same lines, the use of plastic and poor installation can cause humidity between the plastic and the window, favoring the appearance of mold. In addition, you have to seal the material with tape, which can cause air leaks. Although the technique may be useful as a quick or temporary solution, it should not be considered a replacement for more effective and permanent methods of isolation. Alternatives without reforms. Among the different options, the most popular is the use of thermal insulation window films, which offer a more resistant barrier to the cold without compromising visibility. These easy-to-install films cling to windows and create an insulating layer of air, but unlike bubble wrap, they are thinner and less prone to damage. In the same line is the sealing of windows and doors with weather stripping or special tapes that prevent air leaks. For their part, without the need to carry out a renovation, there are thermal curtains, which can be a simple solution to keep the heat inside the rooms, since they are designed to block the cold outside and maintain the inside temperature. Invest money. Now if your goal is to continue improving your home, then install double-glazed windows, because they offer superior insulation and reduce heat loss and the entry of outside noise. And if you are going to continue investing, another alternative is gas condensing boilers, which can reduce energy consumption while reducing CO2 emissions. The impact of plastic. While the hacks circulating on TikTok, like this one from Finland, may seem like clever and inexpensive solutions to dealing with the cold, it’s important to consider their environmental impact. Excessive use of plastic, even in small quantities, contributes to the growing waste problem. For this reason, although these ideas may be effective in the short term, we must be responsible when using it and think about the long-term environmental impact. Image | Unsplash and Unsplash Xataka | A kick forward of 75 days: the extension that Trump has granted to TikTok is pure uncertainty
