I’ve also used shrink film in a pinch, and yeah, it’s not glamorous, but it works. I do wish rope caulk held up better in sunny windows, though...
Shrink film is a lifesaver, I’ll give you that—ugly as sin, but it does the trick. About rope caulk: totally hear you on the crumbling. Sun just eats that stuff alive after a few months. I’ve had better luck with silicone weatherstripping tape for those drafty spots. Not as cheap as caulk, but way less messy and holds up longer, especially in sunny windows. Heavy curtains definitely aren’t winning any design awards, but when it’s 10 degrees out, I’ll take cozy over cute any day.
I’ve been wrestling with the same problem in my 1920s place—those windows are basically decorative in winter. Shrink film is ugly, yeah, but I swear it cuts drafts in half. I tried the rope caulk too and it just turned into dust after a single summer. The silicone tape sounds promising, though. Has anyone tried those magnetic interior storm panels? I keep seeing them pop up online, but not sure if they’re worth the hassle or just another gimmick.
I actually thought about those magnetic panels too, but I’m a little skeptical. My friend tried them in her 1930s place and said they didn’t seal as tight as she hoped—still some cold air sneaking in around the edges. Honestly, I ended up just layering heavy curtains, which isn’t high-tech but made a noticeable difference for us. Not pretty during the day, but at night it’s warmer, and I don’t have to peel anything off in spring.
Heavy curtains definitely helped here too, but I keep wondering if there’s a catch with those magnetic panels—like, do they work better on certain window frames or is it just always a bit drafty around the edges? My windows are original to the house (built in the 1920s), and nothing seems quite square. I’ve tried those shrink-wrap plastic kits before, but they’re a pain to put up and take down. Anyone actually get a decent seal with magnets on old wood frames, or is it just not worth the hassle?
I tried the magnetic panels on my 1930s windows last winter—totally get what you mean about the frames not being square. They sorta worked, but there were still tiny gaps in the corners since the magnets just don’t flex with the wobbly wood. I ended up using a bit of weatherstripping putty in the worst spots, which helped a lot. Not a perfect seal, but less drafty than before and way easier than wrestling with the plastic kits. If you’re not looking for perfection, they’re worth a shot, but I wouldn’t expect miracles on old frames.
They sorta worked, but there were still tiny gaps in the corners since the magnets just don’t flex with the wobbly wood.
Yeah, those old window frames have a mind of their own. I tried the magnetic panels too, and it was like playing Tetris with cold air—no matter how I lined things up, there was always a sneaky draft poking through somewhere. Weatherstripping putty is a good call though. I’ve also used rope caulk in the past, which is basically like Play-Doh for grown-ups. You just smush it into all the weird angles and gaps. Not the prettiest, but nobody’s judging from the outside, right?
Plastic film kits are a pain, I hear you. The tape always peels off halfway through winter, and then you’re left with a flappy mess. If you’re looking for another cheap fix, I had some luck last year with those thick fleece curtains—just the basic ones from the discount store. I hung them as close to the window as possible and honestly, it made a bigger difference than I expected. Not airtight by any stretch, but it cut the chill down a lot, especially at night.
One thing I wouldn’t bother with again is those foam tape strips. Maybe my windows are just too weirdly shaped, but they never seemed to stick in the right places and just ended up looking like chewed gum after a month.
If you’re not after perfection (and really, who is with 90-year-old windows?) then layering a couple of these tricks together usually gets you most of the way there without spending a fortune or turning your living room into a construction zone. And hey, at least you get to keep that old house charm—even if it comes with a side of “brisk” breezes.
You nailed it with the fleece curtains—those things are seriously underrated. I ended up grabbing a couple at a thrift store and just doubled them up. Not the prettiest, but it did help, especially when the wind really picks up. I’ve also tried that bubble wrap trick (just spray a bit of water on the glass and stick it on), which sounds ridiculous but actually made the room feel less drafty. It looks weird from outside, but I’m not exactly aiming for curb appeal in January.
Funny you mention foam tape—mine always peeled off or got all grimy too. Maybe it works better on newer frames, but with old wood, it’s like trying to stick tape to a cat. Rope caulk is messy but worth it for those big gaps.
Has anyone tried those thermal window panels you hang like shades? I’ve seen them online but can’t tell if they’re just fancy-looking blankets or actually do something. Sometimes I wonder if all these little hacks add up or if we’re just making ourselves feel better...
I’ve wondered about those thermal panels too. From what I’ve read (and tried once in a rental), they’re more than just blankets—they usually have a reflective layer that helps with heat loss. Not a miracle fix, but if you get a decent seal at the edges, it cuts down on drafts. Layering hacks like bubble wrap plus heavy curtains really does add up, even if it’s not pretty. It’s like patchwork—each thing helps a bit, especially in old houses where nothing’s square and everything leaks air somewhere.
I get what you’re saying about layering, but honestly, I’ve had mixed results with the bubble wrap trick. Maybe it’s just my windows (they’re old wood sashes from the 1920s), but the seal never seems quite tight enough, and condensation builds up between the glass and plastic. Have you tried the shrink film kits? They’re not pretty either, but I found they actually block drafts better than bubble wrap, especially if you’re dealing with weirdly shaped panes. Wondering if anyone else has had luck with one method over the other...
Shrink film kits have definitely worked better for me than bubble wrap, especially on those old, drafty windows that never seem to sit quite right. The trick is getting the tape really pressed down (use a hairdryer to warm it up first), then shrink the film tight. Not exactly pretty, but it’s a huge difference in comfort—and yeah, condensation is less of an issue compared to bubble wrap. My only gripe is having to redo it every year, but for $10 or so per window, I’ll take it over freezing in my own living room.