Yeah, spray foam’s like that friend who doesn’t know when to leave the party—just keeps showing up in places you didn’t invite it. I swapped my old windows for Kolbes last fall and honestly, the drafts around the trim mostly disappeared. But then I started noticing a sneaky chill coming from under the baseboards in one room. Do you think it’s just the house shifting its favorite draft spots? Old houses really keep you guessing…
Old houses really do have a mind of their own, don’t they? I swear, every time I fix a draft in my 1920s place, another one pops up somewhere new. You’re totally right—Kolbes made a big difference for me too, but I still get that random cold breeze near the floorboards in my dining room. Sometimes it’s just shifting air patterns, other times it’s sneaky gaps you never noticed before. At least you tackled the windows—that’s a huge win. Chasing down every last draft in an old house is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Totally get what you mean about old houses being stubborn. They’ve got more “personality” than my uncle’s vintage Chevy.
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Couldn’t agree more. You seal up one gap, and suddenly the house finds another spot to let the breeze in.“Chasing down every last draft in an old house is a marathon, not a sprint.”
- Kolbe windows are a solid upgrade—definitely noticed less rattling and fewer mystery chills around the frames after swapping mine out. But yeah, those floorboard drafts? That’s a whole different beast.
- Sometimes it’s not even a gap—it’s just weird airflow from old venting or uneven insulation. I once found a cold spot because there was a tiny missing patch of insulation behind my baseboard. Didn’t expect that one.
- If you haven’t already, check under your radiators or along the rim joist in the basement. Old houses love to hide sneaky gaps down there.
- At least with new windows, you can cross off the biggest item on the draft list. The rest is just detective work... and maybe a little bit of luck.
I get the love for Kolbe windows—they’re definitely a step up from drafty old sashes. But honestly, I’ve seen just as much improvement with a good install on some of the less pricey brands, too. Sometimes it’s more about how well they’re put in than the brand itself. Had one client who splurged on top-tier windows but skipped proper air sealing around the frames… still had cold spots. Just goes to show, even the fanciest window can’t fix everything if the job’s rushed or corners get cut.
Sometimes it’s more about how well they’re put in than the brand itself.
I’ve found this to be true. High-end windows like Kolbe have their perks—better hardware, smoother operation, tighter seals—but if the installer cuts corners, you’re still going to get drafts and condensation. I had Marvin windows put in a few years back and paid extra for a crew with a solid reputation. They spent a lot of time on shimming and sealing, and I haven’t had a single cold spot since.
One thing that gets overlooked is the insulation around the rough opening. If it’s just stuffed with fiberglass instead of low-expansion foam or backer rod, you lose a lot of performance, no matter what window you chose. I’d take a midrange window with a textbook install over a premium brand done in a rush.
Kolbe is a good product, but in my experience, installation details matter more for comfort and efficiency than most folks realize.