We had a similar issue with huge windows in our old house—beautiful, but man, the drafts were brutal in winter. Tried curtains alone at first, but you're right, it didn't do much besides look nice. Ended up going with cellular shades too, and honestly I was surprised by how much warmer the room felt. Maybe it's partly psychological, but you could really feel less cold air leaking in around the windows. If you're dealing with serious drafts, shades plus heavy curtains is definitely worth considering.
"Maybe it's partly psychological, but you could really feel less cold air leaking in around the windows."
Actually, it's not just psychological—cellular shades genuinely help trap air and insulate better. I've installed countless sets for clients with similar issues, and the feedback is almost always positive. Combining them with heavy curtains is smart too; it creates another barrier against drafts. Big windows are gorgeous, but yeah... winter can be rough without proper insulation. Glad you found a solution that works!
"Actually, it's not just psychological—cellular shades genuinely help trap air and insulate better."
I agree cellular shades do help, but honestly, from my experience, they're not always the silver bullet people make them out to be. We installed some high-quality cellular shades last winter, and while they definitely reduced drafts, we still noticed cold spots near our larger windows. Maybe it's because our windows are older or just particularly large, but the shades alone weren't enough to completely solve the issue.
What really made a difference for us was adding window film insulation kits. They're not the prettiest solution (and I admit, installation can be a bit fiddly), but they significantly cut down on drafts and heat loss. The combination of cellular shades and window film was noticeably more effective than either one alone.
Also, something else to consider is the type of glass in your windows. If you have single-pane or older double-pane windows, even the best shades or curtains won't fully compensate for poor insulation. Upgrading to modern double- or triple-pane windows with low-E coatings can be expensive upfront, but it pays off in comfort and energy savings over time.
Don't get me wrong—cellular shades are great, and I'm glad they're working well for you. But if anyone else is still struggling with drafts after installing them, it might be worth looking into additional solutions like window films or even considering window upgrades down the line.
I totally get what you're saying about cellular shades. We have some pretty large windows in our living room, and even after installing good-quality cellular shades, we still felt chilly spots on colder days. I think part of the issue might be that these shades help mostly by reducing airflow and trapping air pockets, but they can't fully compensate for the glass itself being cold.
We ended up adding heavier curtains on top of the shades, and that layered approach made a noticeable difference. It wasn't perfect (still some cold near the glass), but definitely better. I've heard good things about window film too, though we haven't tried it yet—might give it a shot this winter.
Honestly, I think big windows are always going to be a bit tricky to insulate completely unless you upgrade the glass itself, like you mentioned. But combining different insulating methods seems like the best workaround for now...
You're right about layering curtains over cellular shades—it definitely helps. One thing I've noticed from experience is that cellular shades, even the high-quality ones, often don't fully seal around the edges. Those tiny gaps can let in drafts, especially on windy days. Have you checked how snugly yours fit around the window frame? Sometimes adding weatherstripping or side channels can improve performance quite a bit. Window film can help too, but personally, I've found addressing those edge gaps makes a bigger difference overall.
Have you tried magnetic side tracks yet? I had a similar issue with my cellular shades—those little edge gaps drove me nuts. Weatherstripping helped some, but magnetic tracks were the real game-changer. Easy install, too... just stick them along the sides and they snap right into place. Might be worth a shot if you're still getting drafts.
"Easy install, too... just stick them along the sides and they snap right into place."
That's interesting, I hadn't heard of magnetic side tracks before. I tried weatherstripping myself, and while it did help a bit, it wasn't perfect—still felt those cold drafts sneaking in on windy days. Honestly, I was starting to think I'd just have to live with it. But your solution sounds pretty straightforward and effective. Might have to give these magnetic tracks a shot next weekend... thanks for the tip!
I've been down that road with weatherstripping too—thought it was gonna be my saving grace, but nope... still felt drafts sneaking through. These magnetic tracks sound intriguing, but I'm a little skeptical about how well they'd hold up over time, especially if you've got heavier curtains or blinds.
"Easy install, too... just stick them along the sides and they snap right into place."
Has anyone had these installed for a while? Curious if they stay secure after repeated use or if they start slipping around eventually.
I've seen those magnetic tracks in action at my sister's place, and honestly, they're not as flimsy as you'd think. She's had them up for about a year now with pretty heavy blackout curtains, and they haven't budged yet. But here's the thing—while they do hold up surprisingly well, they're not exactly airtight. If you're dealing with serious drafts, magnetic tracks alone might not cut it.
Personally, I found cellular shades to be a better solution for big windows. They're designed specifically for insulation, and the difference was noticeable right away. Yeah, they're pricier upfront, but considering how much they helped cut down on heating bills, I'd say they're worth it. Plus, no worries about magnets losing their grip over time or curtains slipping out of place. Just something to think about before you commit to the magnetic route...
I totally get the appeal of cellular shades—had them in my old apartment and they really did help with drafts. But one thing I noticed was that cleaning them was kind of a pain. Dust would settle into those little cells, and vacuuming didn't always do the trick. Ended up having to spot-clean more than I'd like. Just something to keep in mind if you're leaning that way...