sometimes I think we’re trading character for convenience
I get where you’re coming from. I’ve swapped out a lot of old windows for clients, and honestly, the energy savings aren’t always dramatic—especially if you’ve already sealed things up with weatherstripping and caulk. Did you ever try using an infrared thermometer around your frames in winter? Sometimes that shows more than the candle trick. Curious if you’ve noticed any condensation issues with your old wood after all that sealing, or is it holding up alright?
the energy savings aren’t always dramatic—especially if you’ve already sealed things up with weatherstripping and caulk.
Yeah, totally agree. I went nuts with caulk and foam on my 1920s windows, and honestly, the drafts dropped way more than I expected. Condensation’s only been a problem in the bathroom window—guess the old wood just likes a little drama there. Rest of the house, it’s holding up fine after sealing, but I do keep an eye out for soft spots just in case. Those infrared thermometers are fun...until you realize your attic hatch is basically a giant ice cube.
Had to laugh about the attic hatch—mine’s the same story every winter. I thought new windows would be a magic bullet, but after sealing up every nook and cranny, the difference just wasn’t that huge. The drafts basically disappeared with just caulk and foam, like you said. I still get condensation in the bathroom too, probably because we have one of those tiny old windows that never quite closes right.
I’ve heard a lot of folks say the ROI on full window replacement is questionable unless the originals are totally shot. For me, it’s more about keeping the character of the house intact. Plus, honestly, I’d rather spend that money on insulation or fixing up the crawlspace—places where you can actually feel the improvement.
That said, if you’ve already sealed everything and still feel cold spots, maybe it’s worth looking at storm windows or even just heavy curtains. Sometimes the simple fixes do just as much.