For me, the extra insulation was worth it last winter, but it does start to feel like you’re living in a blanket fort sometimes…
- Totally get that “blanket fort” vibe. Did something similar last year—layered thick lined curtains over my old roller shades.
- Opening/closing was a hassle, especially with furniture in the way. Ended up just leaving them closed most days.
- Big upside: drafts were almost gone, and my heating bill dropped a bit.
- Downside: lost a lot of natural light, and the room felt smaller.
- Old windows are tricky... I found adding a cheap window film helped with condensation too, if you haven’t tried that yet.
Definitely a tradeoff, but for me, the warmth was worth the cave vibes.
- Blanket fort is right... I’ve seen folks go wild with insulation, but then you’re basically living in a cozy bunker.
- Heavy curtains + window film is a solid combo, though I’ve had clients complain about losing sunlight too—especially in rooms that already feel a bit tight.
- If the shades/curtains are a pain to open, have you ever tried top-down cellular shades? They let in light up high but keep the drafts out low. Not perfect, but less cave-y.
- Curious—are your windows single-pane or just old and leaky? Sometimes swapping out the glass (or even just adding storm panels) can make a bigger difference than piling on more fabric.
I’ve wrestled with the same sunlight-versus-insulation dilemma. Heavy curtains did wonders for drafts, but honestly, the room felt like a cave during winter. Tried top-down cellular shades after—helped a bit, but not a miracle fix. Have you looked into interior storm panels? They’re less intrusive than full window replacement and can boost efficiency without blocking all your light. Wondering if anyone’s tried those on oversized windows…
I hear you on the cave vibes—my living room looked like a vampire’s den when I tried blackout curtains last winter. I thought about those interior storm panels but honestly, the idea of measuring and fitting them for my weirdly tall windows made me break out in a sweat. Ended up layering sheer curtains with some cheap thermal liners instead. Not perfect, but at least I don’t need a flashlight at noon anymore...
Honestly, I get why storm panels sound like a pain, but measuring’s not as bad as it seems—especially if you’ve got a metal tape and a buddy to help. I did interior panels last fall on my 1920s place (windows are all over the map size-wise) and was surprised how much warmer things felt. The trick is using painter’s tape to mark the frame before you order anything. Still, I hear you about wanting daylight. I tried thermal liners once and they worked okay, but the draft still snuck in around the sides... maybe it’s just my old house being stubborn.
Old houses really do have a mind of their own when it comes to drafts. I’ve seen painter’s tape work for marking, but I usually add a bit of caulk on the inside edge too—helps seal those sneaky gaps. Daylight’s always the tradeoff, though... sometimes I feel like I’m living in a cozy cave half the year.
I’ve dealt with the same issue—big windows in these old places are both a blessing and a headache. I tried heavy thermal curtains, which helped with drafts, but they really cut down on natural light. Have you considered cellular shades? They’re decent for insulation, though not perfect, and you can still get some filtered daylight. Curious if you’ve found anything that balances draft control without making the room feel like a bunker.
Cellular shades are definitely on my radar, but I’m still weighing the tradeoffs. I like that they trap air for insulation, but I’ve read mixed reviews on how well they actually block drafts, especially around the edges. Has anyone tried layering cellular shades with something lighter like sheer panels? I wonder if that combo would keep some daylight without sacrificing too much thermal efficiency. Also, does mounting inside versus outside the window frame make a big difference in draft control?
I’ve actually tried layering cellular shades with some lightweight linen panels, and it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The shades did a decent job holding in heat, but I still felt a chill sneaking in around the edges, especially on windy days. The linen panels looked nice and let in a soft light, but honestly, they didn’t do much for insulation—maybe just a tiny bit of draft blocking where they overlapped.
I mounted my shades inside the window frame, mostly because I liked the cleaner look, but I kind of regret not going with an outside mount. I’ve read that outside mounts can help seal off those gaps better, especially if your windows aren’t perfectly square (mine definitely aren’t—old house problems).
Have you looked into those magnetic side tracks? I keep seeing them recommended for blocking edge drafts, but I haven’t tried them yet. Curious if anyone here has had luck with those or if it’s just another thing to fuss with.
- Inside mount does look cleaner, but yeah, it’s not great for drafty old windows. The gaps on the sides are tough to seal, especially if your frames aren’t square (which is basically every house over 50 years old, in my experience).
- Outside mount shades cover more of the frame, so you get less air sneaking around the edges. Not a magic fix, but definitely helps. If you’re handy, you can add some foam tape behind the headrail or at the sill for a tighter fit.
- Magnetic side tracks: Actually pretty effective for blocking edge drafts, especially with cellular shades. They’re not hard to install—just peel-and-stick magnetic strips and plastic channels that run down each side. Makes a noticeable difference in winter. Only downside is they can look a bit clunky if you care about aesthetics, and they might rattle a little if your windows are super drafty or if you open/close the shades a lot.
- Layering linen panels looks nice but doesn’t do much for insulation. Heavy velvet or thermal curtains work better if you don’t mind a darker look. Sometimes I’ll just throw an old quilt over the window on really cold nights... not pretty, but it works.
- For huge windows, custom options get pricey fast. Sometimes two narrower shades side by side are easier to manage than one giant shade—less sagging, easier to replace if something breaks.
If you’re fighting with drafts every winter, sometimes a little clear plastic film kit (the kind you shrink with a hair dryer) is the most cost-effective move. Not fancy, but it seals everything up tight until spring.