CHEAP WAYS TO KEEP THE COLD OUT OF OLD WINDOWS?

Has anyone tried those plastic shrink kits for drafty windows? I’ve got a 1950s house and the wind just whistles through. Are they worth it or should I try something else?

Shrink kits do help with air infiltration, especially on single-pane glass, but they’re really a seasonal solution. The seal’s only as good as the tape, and you’ll need to redo it every year. Have you checked the condition of your window frames or tried rope caulk first? Sometimes, addressing gaps in the sash or frame can be more cost-effective long-term, particularly in houses from that era. Curious if you’ve noticed any condensation issues after using plastic—some folks report that as a side effect.

“The seal’s only as good as the tape, and you’ll need to redo it every year.”

I actually disagree a bit here—those shrink kits held up better than I expected on my old place, even with the drafty 60s windows. Tape stuck all winter if you really clean the trim first. Rope caulk never stayed put for me and made a mess come spring. It’s cheap enough to try both, but plastic’s less hassle in my book. Never had major condensation, but I guess it depends how leaky your frames are.

Totally get what you mean about rope caulk. I tried it once and it just crumbled everywhere by spring—never again.

“Tape stuck all winter if you really clean the trim first.”

That’s been my experience too, but I wonder if humidity plays a part? My place gets pretty dry in winter, so maybe that helps the tape last. Ever try doubling up with both plastic and thermal curtains? I found that combo made a surprising difference, especially on those single-pane windows.

I’ve actually used both—the plastic kits and heavy curtains together—and it really did help, especially on the worst windows. The plastic isn’t pretty, but it’s cheap and does block a lot of drafts. Only thing is, if you need to open the window at all during winter, it’s kind of a pain. I’ve noticed the tape peels off cleaner when I wipe the trim with rubbing alcohol first, but yeah, if your house is humid, maybe that makes a difference? Curtains definitely add another layer... mine are just old fleece blankets pinned up half the time. Not fancy, but it works.

- That combo—plastic kits plus heavy curtains—really is a solid fix for drafty windows. I’ve done similar at my place, especially in the back room where the original sashes leak like crazy.
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“The plastic isn’t pretty, but it’s cheap and does block a lot of drafts.”

Couldn’t agree more. Looks a little rough, but when you’re trying to keep heating bills down, it’s worth it.
- I’ve found that using painter’s tape under the double-sided stuff can help on older trim (if you’re worried about paint peeling). Not perfect, but less touch-up later.
- Fleece blankets as curtains? That’s genius. I’ve seen folks use bubble wrap too—just mist the glass and stick it right on. Not exactly pretty either, but it helps with condensation and cold spots.
- One thing I’d add: if you ever swap out the plastic mid-winter, try to do it on a dry day. Humidity really does mess with how well the tape sticks, especially if your windows sweat a lot.
- Honestly, until you replace the windows (which is $$$), these stopgaps are about as good as it gets. Sometimes you just gotta layer up—windows and sweaters both.

I get the appeal of the plastic kits—quick and cheap, sure—but have you tried rope caulk or removable sealant for the worst gaps? I’ve seen folks pile on layers, but sometimes just filling in those cracks makes a bigger dent than all the blankets and plastic. The visual isn’t any better, honestly, but at least you can open the window again come spring without scraping off sticky residue. Anyone else notice painter’s tape doesn’t always hold up if you’ve got a lot of condensation? That stuff peels right off in my old place...

Yeah, painter’s tape is kind of a letdown when there’s a lot of moisture—I’ve had it just slide right off by January. I’m with you on rope caulk, though. It’s ugly but it works, and it’s easy to peel off later. Have you ever tried those draft snakes? I made one out of an old pair of jeans and some rice, and it actually helped more than I expected. Curious if anyone’s had luck with the shrink-wrap kits on really uneven old sashes... mine never seem to seal quite right.

Shrink-wrap kits are hit or miss for me, especially with the kind of warped, 100-year-old windows I’ve got. The film always seems to pucker around the edges, no matter how much I try to stretch it tight or blast it with a hair dryer. Not sure if it’s the wonky wood or just user error, but I end up with little gaps that still let in a draft. Rope caulk is ugly, sure, but at least it stays put and you can pull it off in spring without scraping.

I’ve tried those draft snakes too—made one out of an old towel and some beans. It worked okay for the bottom sash, but what about those weird gaps around the sides? Anyone actually had success blocking those, or is it just not worth the effort? Sometimes I wonder if all this patching is just delaying the inevitable—replacing the windows entirely. But man, that’s not cheap...

Those old wavy windows are a pain. I’ve had the same issue with shrink-wrap—never quite seals right if the frames aren’t straight. For the side gaps, I’ve used foam weatherstripping. It’s not pretty, but you can squish it into weird spots and peel it off later without much mess. It won’t solve everything, but it helps more than the draft snake alone. Honestly, unless you’re ready to shell out for new windows, it’s just a patch job every winter. At least it keeps the bills down a bit.