ZENGSHI LIFE MUSEUM Window Air Conditioner, 2 pieces of surface insulation EVA board, 17 inches * 11 inches, fully enclosed design, Summer/Winter Heat and Draft Insulating,Two-Piece Panels Window Seal

A thin sheet of foam can make a bigger difference than you’d expect. I brought this window AC insulation kit into a small bedroom with a 12,000 BTU unit and the usual flimsy accordion side curtains. My goal was simple: stop the drafts and dust, quiet the rattle, and make the install look less like a temporary fix. The kit delivers on those basics with a few caveats, especially around installation and long‑term durability.

What it is and what’s in the box

This is a two-panel, closed-cell EVA foam system designed to replace or cover the plastic accordion curtains that come with most window air conditioners. In the package I received:

• Two 17 × 11 in foam sheets (black EVA)
• A 39 × 2 in EVA sealing strip for top/bottom gaps
• Four plastic edge strips to frame and finish the foam
• Adhesive backing on the strips and seal, plus the foam itself is easily taped or bonded

The foam arrives vacuum-packed. It came out compressed with some creases, but five minutes with a hair dryer on warm restored the thickness and flattened the panels well enough to work cleanly.

Installation: easy if you measure twice and cut once

You don’t “snap” this kit into place. You cut, dry-fit, and stick. If that sounds intimidating, it doesn’t need to be—but it does reward patience.

Here’s what worked best for me:
1. Prep the surfaces. I cleaned the window frame and the AC case with isopropyl alcohol to help the adhesive grab. Dust and vinyl film residue will cause the tape to lift later.
2. Warm the foam. A hair dryer or heat gun on low for a few minutes helps the panels relax from their vacuum-packed state.
3. Make a quick template. I traced the opening on a scrap of cardboard and transferred that to the foam. Cutting the foam slightly oversize lets you compress it into a tighter seal.
4. Cut with a sharp blade. A fresh utility knife and a straightedge yield clean edges and square corners. Scissors tend to mash EVA and leave ragged lines.
5. Dry-fit, then trim. Place the panels, check for interference with the AC’s side vents or controls, and trim in small increments. If you cut short, you can bridge small gaps with the included 39 × 2 in strip, but a snug fit looks and seals best.
6. Finish with the edge strips. These stiffen the perimeter, improve the appearance, and give the adhesive more surface to grip.

On a straightforward vinyl double-hung window, the whole process took me about 45 minutes. On an older wooden window with out-of-square frames, expect more trimming and fiddling. It’s not difficult, but it’s not a zero-effort snap-in either.

A couple of installation cautions:
- Don’t block any side vents on your AC. Some units pull air through the side panels; leave clearance.
- Maintain the slight outward tilt of the AC so condensate drains outside. The seal strips should not force the unit level.
- If your gaps are wider than the 11-inch panel dimension, you may need to orient the panels differently or supplement with additional foam.

Performance: quieter, tighter, cleaner

Once in place, the difference in both feel and sound was immediate. The EVA foam is closed-cell, so it resists air movement better than the stock accordion plastic. Drafts at the edges disappeared, and the occasional buzz from the flimsy curtains vanished because the foam simply doesn’t rattle. In a room that faces a busy street, I noticed a modest drop in outside noise—enough to be pleasant but not transformative.

On the temperature side, the room stabilized faster after the AC cycled off, and I didn’t feel that familiar stream of hot air sneaking in around the sides. In shoulder-season use with the unit off, the panels helped block cold air as well, making it more practical to leave the AC installed without feeling a constant draft.

The included 39 × 2 in strip deserves a mention. I used it to fill a narrow gap above the unit where the lower sash didn’t meet the top of the case. It compresses well and keeps the sash from transmitting vibration to the frame.

As for bugs and dust, the full-contact seal along the sides greatly reduced infiltration. This alone is worth the effort in pollen season.

Design and materials

EVA foam is flexible, light, and resilient, but it’s not rigid board insulation. Think of it as a thin, dense foam that seals and damps; it won’t add significant structural support. The sheets in this kit are on the thinner side, which is good for trim-ability and conformity but limits pure thermal insulation. The real gain comes from eliminating air leakage rather than boosting R-value.

The edge strips are a smart inclusion. They make the install look intentional rather than improvised, and they help the foam keep its shape over time. The black color blends nicely with most modern AC faces and window screens.

Two durability notes:
- Direct sun can fade or slightly chalk EVA over time. If your window gets all-day sun, consider applying a decorative shelf liner or a thin vinyl wrap to the room-facing side for UV protection and aesthetics.
- Adhesive longevity depends on prep. On clean surfaces mine held well, but on dusty or oily paint, expect lifting. If you’re installing for multiple seasons, a bead of removable butyl or a run of higher-grade double-sided tape can help.

Fit and compatibility

The kit is broadly compatible with window units in the 5,000–22,000 BTU range, but the true constraint is your window geometry. In standard single- or double-hung windows with modest side gaps, the 17 × 11 in panels are plenty. For very tall gaps or unusual shapes, you may need to piece panels together or supplement.

This is not intended for casement windows or portable AC hose adapters. It’s also not a fire-rated panel—keep it well away from space heaters and heat sources.

Aesthetics and finish

One of the quiet wins of this kit is how much cleaner the install looks. The flat black panels hide the accordion pleats, cover jagged edges, and read as a single, intentional panel. Because EVA cuts cleanly, you can tailor the edges to your window’s molding profile, and the finish strips frame it neatly. If you’re particular about your interior, this alone may justify the switch from factory curtains.

Value

On paper, you’re paying for a couple of foam sheets and some plastic strips. If you’re handy and enjoy sourcing materials, you could DIY something similar with craft-store EVA or foam board and tape. What you’re buying here is convenience, a matched set of components that fit the use case, and a clearer path to a tidy, enclosed seal.

Given the time saved and the improved look and feel, the value is fair—especially if you plan to leave the AC installed over multiple seasons. If cost is your primary concern and you’re comfortable tinkering, you can build a cheaper solution; it just won’t be as plug-and-play.

Tips to get the most out of it

• Cut slightly oversize and compress into place; a tight mechanical fit beats relying solely on adhesive.
• Warm the foam before installation to remove creases and improve conformity.
• Clean surfaces meticulously. Alcohol wipe, let dry, then apply.
• Pre-score long straight cuts with light passes of the knife; don’t try to shear it in one go.
• Label the left and right panels once they fit perfectly so you can reinstall after seasonal removal.

Who it’s for

• Renters and homeowners who want a cleaner look and better seal than the stock accordion panels
• Anyone sensitive to drafts, dust, or street noise around a window AC
• People willing to spend an hour measuring, cutting, and fitting for a better finish

Who should skip it:
- Those looking for thick, rigid insulation rather than an air seal
- Users who need a fast, zero-cut, snap-in solution
- Installs with unusual windows or oversized gaps that exceed the panel dimensions

Recommendation

I recommend this insulation kit for window AC owners who want a tighter, quieter, and more polished installation than the factory curtains provide. It’s not magic—just well-sized EVA foam with sensible finishing pieces—but the improvements in draft control, minor noise reduction, and aesthetics are real. If you’re willing to measure carefully and make clean cuts, you’ll end up with a fully enclosed seal that looks intentional and keeps comfort where it belongs. If you expect rigid insulation or a no-tools install, you may be disappointed; otherwise, it’s a simple, effective upgrade that punches above its weight.