Installation
Installing Clear Comfort is quite straight forward, but it requires a little preparation. Start with this video to see the process in action. Further down this page you will find step by step instructions and a variety of special cases.
Contents of the ClearComfort Kit
- transparent heat-shrink membrane
- transparent double-sided tape
- instruction sheet
You will need
- scissors,
- cutting blade
- a small hand-held hair dryer
Simple three-step process
1. Tape frame with transparent double-sided tape
2. Press on membrane and cut off the excess
3. Shrink membrane with hairdryer until taut and smooth
Most timber window frames (including doors and skylights) have a flat surface for attaching the tape and membrane without further treatment.
If you have a different type of window frame you may need to vary the method. These variations are described in the instruction sheet. We have a solution for just about every type of window.
For a quick preview of these methods, click on the link below:
The ClearComfort system relies on a strong adhesive bond between our double-sided tape and the window frame.
Wood with an oil or wax finish
An oil or wax finish does not provide a sufficiently adhesive surface, so some preparation is required. Lightly sand a 20mm strip where you will be placing the double-sided tape to remove all traces of oil or wax. The smooth raw timber should then provide a strong base for the double-sided tape.
Old and flaking paint
If your window frames are in poor condition, they will provide a less than ideal adhesive surface and are more likely to require maintenance in the coming years. We recommend standard maintenance such as sanding back and re-painting of the window frames and sills before applying the ClearComfort system. Allow several weeks drying time to ensure complete curing of the paint. Only then can you be confident of having a sufficiently adhesive surface.
The maximum width of the ClearComfort membrane is 1.6 metres. This can be fixed to the frame of a window that is, say, 1.5 metres wide and 2.4 metres tall, but not to one that is 1.7 metres wide and 2.4 m
Two removable frames across an oversized glass pane.
For a single uninterrupted pane of glass larger than 1.6 metres in both directions, you will need to attach one or more false glazing bars to the surface of the glass to reduce the maximum span of uninterrupted glazing to less than 1.6 metres, in one direction.
To use our ClearComfort system with curved glass you will need to make up a series of narrow, straight-sided frames (similar to empty picture frames) that will fit around the curve. These frames sit abutting each other against the interior face of your existing glass, and can be removable or fixed permanently in place. Attach the tape and membrane to the fabricated frames and you will achieve a sealed air gap between your ClearComfort-faced ‘picture frames’ and the existing curved glass.
Series of frames side by side
The principle behind the ClearComfort window insulation system is to trap a thin layer of air between the glass and the transparent membrane, using the window frame to establish the depth of the air layer. To use the ClearComfort system with frameless glass you will need to attach a supplementary frame to the wall around the glass, or to the edges of the glass itself, or make up removable supplementary frames.
Method 1: Attach a fixed supplementary frame
Use a length of square or rectangular rigid material such as timber or aluminium (eg. 30x20mm or 15x15mm) to make a second frame within the window reveal. Attach the timber/aluminium to the window reveal using glue and small screws or nails. Attach the tape and membrane to the new frame as for a standard window.
Fixed supplementary frame
Method: 2 Attach a movable supplementary frame
Series of frames side by side
You will need to make up a series of frames (similar to empty picture frames), one frame to match each glass panel. These frames sit abutting each other against the interior face of your existing glass, and can be removable or fixed permanently in place. Attach the tape and membrane to the fabricated frames and you will achieve a sealed air gap between your ClearComfort-faced ‘picture frames’ and the existing frameless glass panels.
Each frame is lightweight and easily made from off-the-shelf components available at hardware stores. We’ve made some using plain 40 x 20mm softwood, which can be painted or left natural, and some using aluminium flyscreen framing, which comes ready-coated in different colours as well as plain aluminium.
If the steel frame provides a suitable surface parallel to the glass and at least 6mm distant from the existing glass, you can attach the ClearComfort tape and membrane to the steel frame in the normal way.
If the steel frame is not positioned suitably for direct attachment of the ClearComfort tape and membrane, proceed with one or more supplementary frames.
Method 1: Attach a fixed supplementary frame
Fix a supplementary frame to the window reveal, using a length of square or rectangular rigid material such as timber or aluminium. 20 x 20mm is a good minimum size to work with.
Use a length of square or rectangular rigid material such as timber, steel or aluminium (eg. 30x20mm or 15x15mm) to make a second frame within the window reveal. Attach the timber/steel/aluminium to the window reveal using glue and small screws or nails. Attach the tape and membrane to the new frame as for a standard window.
Method 2: Attach a movable supplementary frame
Moveable supplementary frame
For each window opening, you can fabricate a pair of identical frames (similar to empty picture frames) that will perch side-by-side against your existing window frames. You can then attach the tape and membrane to these fabricated frames and you will achieve a sealed air gap between your ClearComfort-faced ‘picture frames’ and the existing window. To open the window, simply remove the first ‘picture frame’ and stack it in front of the second ‘picture frame’, allowing access to the sliding glass window, until you want to close and seal up your window again.
Pair of identical moveable supplementary frames
Each frame is lightweight and easily made from off-the-shelf components available at hardware stores – we’ve made some using plain 40 x 20mm softwood, which can be painted or left natural, and some using aluminium flyscreen framing, which comes ready-coated in different colours as well as plain aluminium.
Single fixed or moveable frame in place
There are added benefits to using these frames:
- you will block drafts that blow through ill fitting windows, and
- will be insulating the highly heat conductive aluminium frame around the glass.
Aluminium is an extremely poor insulating material. One-third of the heat transferred through an aluminium-framed window is conducted through the frame itself (unless the frame is a specialized composite insulated frame).
We recommend a simple solution for the home handyperson.
Typical aluminium sliding window
Attach a movable supplementary frame
For each window opening, you can fabricate a pair of identical frames (similar to empty picture frames) that will perch side-by-side against your existing aluminium window system. You can then attach the tape and membrane to these fabricated frames and you will achieve a sealed air gap between your ClearComfort-faced ‘picture frames’ and the existing window. To open the window, simply remove the first ‘picture frame’ and stack it in front of the second ‘picture frame’, allowing access to the sliding aluminium manufactured window, until you want to close and seal up your window again.
Frames made of timber will provide the insulation lacking in your aluminium window and will provide the same insulation benefit as a standard double-glazed timber or composite-framed window.
Choose a size of timber appropriate to the size of your largest windows. We suggest a minimum size of 40 x 20 mm for “average” windows, larger for full-height or floor-to-ceiling windows.
Supplementary frames stacked when window opens
Frames side by side when window closed
Each frame is lightweight and easily made from off-the-shelf components available at hardware stores. The frame above was made using plain 40x20mm softwood, which can be painted or left natural.
Aluminium flyscreen framing can also be used for smaller windows. If using such framing, sit the new frames forward of your built-in aluminium window frames so that the two aluminium frames are not in contact, and your insulation benefits are maximized.
Supplementary frames made with aluminium fly screen framing.
There are added benefits to using these frames:
· you will block drafts that blow through ill fitting windows, and
· will be insulating the highly heat conductive aluminium frame around the glass.
Latches, locks, winders and other mechanisms attached to the window frame may need to be removed temporarily while fitting the ClearComfort tape and membrane.
If a window fitting is in the way, just unscrew the fitting, install the tape and membrane following the instructions, and then screw the fitting back in position.
Some types of double-hung (sash) and awning windows have a latch that projects into the frame space when the latch is turned (this type of latch is common on the top half of double-hung windows, for instance). If your window has this type of latch we suggest you fit the membrane to the outside frame of the window in question.
ClearComfort tape and membrane are thin enough not to interfere with the sliding action of sash windows.
If your sash window is constructed in a manner that prevents normal installation of the ClearComfort system, we suggest you fit the membrane internally to the lower sash frame and externally to the upper sash frame.
It is sometimes necessary to supplement parts of an existing window to provide the complete surface required for attaching the tape and membrane.
Attach a fixed supplementary frame
Use a length of square or rectangular rigid material such as timber or aluminium (eg. 30x20mm or 15x15mm) to make a second frame within the window reveal. Attach the timber/aluminium to the window reveal using glue and small screws or nails. Attach the tape and membrane to the new frame as for a standard window.