Which way do your windows face for max winter sun?

North windows are always the coldest in my place too. Here’s what worked for me—step one, add weatherstripping around the frames if you haven’t already. It’s cheap and way more effective than just film. Next, I use those draft snakes at the bottom of each window, especially on the north side. Finally, if you’re up for it, a tube of caulk can seal up any visible gaps. Old houses are stubborn, but these fixes made a noticeable difference for me, especially during the worst of winter.

North windows are always the coldest in my place too.

Totally hear you on the stubborn old house thing. Weatherstripping and caulk are my go-tos too, but I’ll admit I got lazy with the draft snakes—my cat kept turning them into toys. Still, your approach is solid. North windows are basically iceboxes in winter, no matter what. South-facing ones grab all the sun, but I swear my plants hog most of that heat. Stick with it; those little fixes add up when the wind really starts howling.

North windows are basically iceboxes in winter, no matter what.

That’s the truth. I tried heavy curtains one year, but it just made the room feel gloomy—couldn’t win. Draft snakes were a lost cause here too, thanks to my dog. Still, those tiny tweaks do seem to help, even if it’s just a little bit less shivering in the morning.

- North-facing windows are always tough in winter—doesn't matter how much insulation you throw at them, you're still fighting the cold.
- Heavy curtains help with heat loss, but yeah, they can make a room feel like a cave. If you want light and warmth, it's a trade-off.
- Draft snakes can be effective, but if you've got pets (or kids), they're basically chew toys or trip hazards. I see that a lot.
- I've had some luck with cellular shades—they block drafts better than basic curtains, and you can still let in some light from the top if you get the top-down/bottom-up kind.
- Sometimes even just caulking around the trim or adding foam gaskets behind outlet covers on exterior walls makes a noticeable difference.

Curious if anyone's tried interior storm windows? They're not cheap, but I've seen clients get good results without changing the look of the window too much. Worth it for those stubborn north walls, or just overkill?

I hear you on the north-facing window struggle—it’s like no matter what you do, that chill just creeps in. I’ve actually tried interior storm windows on a couple of my own, and honestly, they made a bigger difference than I expected. Not cheap, but

“good results without changing the look of the window too much”

I totally get what you mean about the north-facing windows—mine are the same, always a bit drafty no matter what I try. I did bite the bullet on storm inserts last winter, and honestly, it surprised me how much cozier the room felt. The price did sting at first, but like you said, not having to cover up the windows with heavy curtains was a win. It’s not a magic fix, but it’s definitely an upgrade over just caulking and hoping for the best.

North-facing windows are a real mixed bag, aren’t they? On one hand, you don’t get blasted with sun glare in the summer, but come winter, they just seem to suck the heat right out. I totally hear you on the draftiness—mine are original to the house (built in the 60s), and no amount of caulk seemed to cut it. I finally tried those clear plastic storm panels last year, figuring it couldn’t hurt. Installation was a bit fiddly, but honestly, the difference was noticeable. It’s not like living in a thermos or anything, but the cold drafts were way less obvious.

I get what you mean about the price. It’s a bit of an ouch up front, but not having to pile on heavy drapes is a win for me too. I like natural light whenever I can get it, especially since north windows don’t get much anyway. I still use a draft stopper at the bottom for good measure—probably overkill, but hey, old habits die hard.

If anyone’s on the fence, I’d say it’s worth doing one room and seeing how it feels. For me, it was a step up from just caulking and hoping for the best.

I hear you on the north-facing window struggle—ours are original too, and I swear the drafts find new ways in every winter. Here’s what worked for me, step by step: first, I did a thorough round of caulking (even though it doesn’t solve everything), then added those shrink-wrap plastic kits. Yeah, they’re a bit finicky, but the temp difference is real. If you want to go further, I tried foam weatherstripping around the sashes—made a bigger dent than I expected. One thing I wonder: has anyone tried thermal curtains with north windows? I’m not sure if it’s overkill or actually worth it...

I’ve been wondering about the thermal curtain thing too, especially for north-facing windows that never get any sun. Is it actually worth the investment if you’ve already got plastic film and weatherstripping in place? I mean, I get that curtains can help, but sometimes it feels like just layering on more stuff without knowing what’s really making a difference.

Here’s something I’ve noticed: my living room faces north and stays chilly no matter what I do, but the east-facing bedroom always feels warmer, even though the windows are just as old and leaky. Is it just the lack of direct sun on the north side, or does window direction really make that much of a difference in winter heat loss? I keep hearing people say south-facing is ideal for winter sun, but does anyone actually notice a big difference between north and east or west windows in real life?

Also, has anybody tried those insulated cellular shades instead of thermal curtains? They look less bulky, but I’m not sure if they’re as effective. And do thermal curtains actually block drafts, or do they just keep the cold from radiating in as much? Sometimes I feel like I’m just throwing solutions at the problem and hoping one sticks.

Curious if anyone’s ever measured the actual temp difference with and without thermal curtains on a north window... Or maybe it’s more about comfort than actual energy savings?

You’re not alone—my north-facing living room is basically a walk-in fridge from November to March, even after I did the plastic film and foam tape routine. I tried thermal curtains last winter, mostly because I found some cheap ones on sale, and honestly, they helped a bit with the drafty feeling, but didn’t magically warm up the room. The biggest difference for me was just sitting near the window didn’t feel quite as miserable.

I’ve also wondered about those cellular shades... they look nicer, but I’m not convinced they’d do much more unless you’re sealing every edge. Window direction definitely matters—my east window gets a little sun in the morning and feels way less icy. North just never catches a break. At this point, I think it’s more about comfort than big energy savings, but every little bit helps when you’re desperate to stop shivering on the couch.