Weird ways to spot drafty windows (and do they actually work?)

Anyone ever try the flashlight trick at night? Curious if there’s a method that’s actually foolproof or if it’s all just trial and error.

I’ve done the flashlight thing—my brother held a light outside the window and I looked for beams coming through gaps. It sorta worked, but only on the worst spots. The candle was way more sensitive for me. Never tried incense though, that sounds kinda fun. Has anyone tried one of those thermal leak detectors? Wondering if they’re worth the money or just another gadget collecting dust.

- Tried the thermal leak detector last winter—honestly, it’s more accurate than the flashlight or candle trick, but not magic. Picks up cold spots you’d miss by eye, but it’ll also show false positives near metal frames or outlets.
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“Wondering if they’re worth the money or just another gadget collecting dust.”

Honestly, I’ve seen folks get a little too hung up on gadgets like thermal detectors. They’re fine, but if you’re dealing with old wood windows, you’ll usually feel the draft just standing near them on a cold day. Sometimes it’s less about pinpointing the exact spot and more about knowing the whole frame needs attention. I’ve had customers swear by incense, but in my experience, a wet hand or even just a piece of tissue taped up will show you leaks fast—no batteries required. The high-tech stuff is neat, but not always necessary unless you’re chasing down something really sneaky.

The tissue trick’s underrated, honestly. I’ve used it a bunch when I’m not in the mood to dig out tools—just tape up a thin piece and watch for movement. It’s simple but surprisingly effective, especially on windy days. The flashlight method at night can work if you’ve got someone outside, but it’s hit or miss with thicker curtains or storm windows. Sometimes I wonder if folks overthink it; old houses like mine (built in the 40s) just seem to leak no matter what you do. Still, finding the worst spots helps prioritize what to fix first.

Tissue test really does the job, especially when you’re just trying to get a quick read on where the worst leaks are. I’d add that an incense stick works in a similar way—smoke trails make it easy to spot even tiny drafts, and you don’t need much prep. Flashlight trick is clever, but yeah, those old storm windows or heavy drapes can throw it off. With houses from the 40s, I usually see a lot of air loss around the sash and weight pockets. Air sealing’s a constant battle in these older places, but knowing the main offenders does help you focus your efforts (and budget) where it matters most.

Interesting you mention the incense stick—I’ve tried that and it’s definitely more sensitive than the tissue, but also makes my house smell like a yoga studio for a while. I’ve always wondered if those infrared thermometers are worth it for finding drafts, or if that’s overkill for the average old house. Anyone tried one?

Tried the incense trick a few times myself—my partner wasn’t thrilled about the lingering patchouli, but it definitely does the job for spotting sneaky drafts. As for the infrared thermometers, I picked one up a couple winters ago when I got tired of guessing where the cold was creeping in. Honestly, they’re not as high-tech as they sound. You just point and click, and it gives you a surface temp reading.

Here’s what I do: on a chilly morning, I run it along the window frames and baseboards. If there’s a big temp drop (like 10 degrees or more), that’s usually a sign of a leak. It’s less dramatic than watching smoke waft around, but it’s quick and lets you check a whole room in no time. The downside is, it doesn’t show airflow—just cold spots—so you still have to play detective a bit.

If you already have one for cooking or grilling, it’s worth a try. Wouldn’t say you need to rush out and buy one just for drafts, unless you’re into gadgets or have a lot of old windows like me. The old candle or incense is still the most satisfying, even if your house smells like sandalwood for days…

The incense thing cracks me up every time—my wife swears our living room still smells like a head shop from the last draft hunt. I tried the candle trick once and nearly set my sleeve on fire, so now I stick to less flammable methods.

I did borrow an infrared thermometer from my brother-in-law (he’s obsessed with grilling, so his is fancy and probably cleaner than mine would be). You’re right, it’s not rocket science. Just point, click, and suddenly you’re a detective in your own house. I found one window corner that was basically an icebox compared to the rest—no wonder we were always freezing in that spot.

Still, there’s something satisfying about seeing the smoke dance around when there’s a draft. It feels like you’re catching the house in the act or something. The thermometer is more like “yep, it’s cold here, congrats,” but it doesn’t tell you *why* or where the air’s actually moving.

Honestly, if you’ve got a bunch of old windows (ours are original from the 70s and leakier than my coffee mug), both tricks together aren’t a bad idea. Find the cold spots with the thermometer, then track down exactly where it’s coming in with incense or a candle—just keep your sleeves out of the way.

One thing I tried last winter was taping up plastic film over a couple windows after finding leaks. Not pretty, but it helped until we could budget for replacements. The cat hated it though—he’d just stare at the plastic and sulk.

Anyway, unless you’re really into gadgets (or smoke), seems like a mix of old-school and new-school gets you there. Plus, you get to tell people you spent your Saturday “thermal mapping” your living room, which sounds way cooler than “I walked around sniffing patchouli.”

Plastic film on windows brings back memories. We had to do that every winter in my first place—an old duplex with windows that rattled when the wind kicked up. My hands would stick to the tape and the cat would go nuts chasing the crinkly sound. Didn’t look great, but it sure made a difference. I remember one year we tried those foam snake things at the base of the door too. Not pretty, but it stopped the worst drafts.

I actually prefer the incense trick, even if it does make the house smell like a college dorm for a day. Watching the smoke curl sideways is just more satisfying than staring at a screen that says “cold.” The thermometer’s handy for narrowing it down, but I always end up poking around with my hand anyway, feeling for that icy air.

One thing I wonder about—has anyone tried those draft stopper curtains? We’ve got a big picture window and I can feel the cold coming off it even with plastic film. I keep thinking heavy curtains might help, but they’re not cheap and I’m not sure if they’re worth it. Anyone actually notice a difference with those, or is it just marketing?

Funny about the cat—ours tried to eat the plastic once and then sulked on top of the radiator for a week. Guess nobody in the house likes winter drafts.