I’ve actually tried the clear window film on a couple of my old double-hungs. It’s not a miracle fix, but it does help cut the draft. The film is kind of a pain to get smooth, and it’s not the prettiest thing if you look close, but honestly, I noticed the room felt less chilly right by the window. Didn’t do much for the rattling panes, though.
Draft stoppers at the bottom are way easier—those make an immediate difference if you’ve got gaps down there. I wouldn’t say either solution is perfect, but for me, they bought some time before I had to think about a full replacement. Still wish there was a magic fix that didn’t mess with the character of these old windows... but yeah, the bills do add up.
If your window’s a main feature in the room, I get not wanting to mess with it. Sometimes you just have to live with a little inefficiency for the sake of charm.
- Totally hear you on the clear film—it’s like putting plastic wrap on your window and hoping for the best. I’ve wrestled with those air bubbles too… and then a cat pawed at it, so that didn’t help the “invisible” look.
- Draft stoppers are the MVP in my book. I just use an old towel sometimes and honestly, it works about as well as the fancy ones. Not pretty, but neither is shivering in your own living room.
- About the rattling: tried sticking some weatherstripping tape around the sash? It doesn’t stop all the noise, but it helps with the worst of it. Plus, you can peel it off if you’re worried about damaging any antique woodwork.
- I’m with you on not wanting to lose the old window charm. The wavy glass in mine is one of my favorite things about the house, even if it means a little higher bill. Guess it’s the price of character… and maybe an extra sweater.
- If you ever find that magic fix, let us know. Until then, it’s just layers and a bit of patience.
I get the love for old windows, but I’ll be honest—after years of messing with plastic film, towels, and weatherstripping, I finally bit the bullet and replaced a couple of the worst offenders in my 1920s place. The energy savings were noticeable right away, and the rooms actually felt comfortable for once. The charm thing is real, but sometimes I wonder if we romanticize drafty windows a bit too much... There are some decent replicas out there now that keep the look without the frostbite. Just my two cents.
Totally get where you’re coming from—those old windows have character, but man, comfort wins out sometimes. I’ve worked on a bunch of homes from the ‘20s and ‘30s, and it’s wild how much difference modern windows make for drafts and bills. The new replicas are honestly not bad if you pick carefully; most folks can’t even tell unless they get up close. I do miss the wavy glass a bit, but not the icy breeze across my feet every winter... Sometimes you just gotta pick your battles, right?
Funny thing, I’ve actually seen a lot of those old windows fixed up with weatherstripping and a good storm window, and the difference is way bigger than most folks expect. Not saying new replicas aren’t solid—
—but sometimes the originals just need a little TLC. Plus, there’s something about that old glass that’s hard to fake. I get the comfort factor, but sometimes restoration can hit that sweet spot between character and efficiency.“The new replicas are honestly not bad if you pick carefully; most folks can’t even tell unless they get up close.”
- Totally agree on the old glass—there’s just a certain “wobble” to it you can’t fake.
- Weatherstripping and storm windows can make a huge difference, but not everyone realizes how much labor’s involved.
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Couldn’t have said it better.“sometimes restoration can hit that sweet spot between character and efficiency.”
- Have you noticed any drafts after adding storms, or did it seal up pretty tight? Sometimes the install makes all the difference.
After I put in storms on my 1920s windows, it was like night and day—drafts dropped big time, but I still get a little breeze near the bottom sash if the wind’s just right. Anyone else ever have to re-do their weatherstripping after a season or two? Feels like it never ends...
Yeah, the weatherstripping grind is real. I swear I’ve replaced mine more times than I care to admit—sometimes it feels like the stuff just melts away after one winter. I’ve tried a couple different brands, but nothing seems to last forever, especially with all the opening and closing. Ever thought about trying those silicone strips instead of the felt kind? Curious if anyone’s had better luck with those...
I hear you on the weatherstripping headache. My house is pushing 40 years old, and I swear the original builder must’ve bought the cheapest felt strips known to man. I switched to silicone a couple winters back after getting tired of that “breeze in the living room” feeling. They’re holding up better—don’t get as squished or crumbly—but installation was a pain (especially with my crooked old windows). Still, I’d take that over replacing felt every year... just wish they made ‘em in colors other than hospital white.
Man, I totally get the pain with those “hospital white” strips. Why is it that home improvement stuff always comes in the least forgiving colors? I swapped to silicone last fall and yeah, it’s a bear to get them lined up on my 70s windows that are about as straight as a politician. But honestly, the drafts are gone and my heating bill didn’t make me cry this winter, so I’ll call it a win. Still, if someone invents brown or gray weatherstripping, sign me up...