"Pets indeed."
Haha, pets are the ultimate test of home insulation methods. I swear my cat thinks draft stoppers are her personal scratching posts... RIP my last two.
Anyway, thermal curtains definitely help, but I've found that plastic window film kits can make a surprisingly big difference too. I was skeptical at first—honestly, it sounded like a gimmick—but after trying it out last winter, I was pretty impressed. The installation's a bit fiddly (and the hairdryer step feels kinda silly), but once they're up, you barely notice them. Plus, no more icy drafts sneaking in around the edges.
Have you tried checking around the window frames themselves? Older houses sometimes have sneaky gaps hidden behind trim or paint layers. A quick bead of caulk can do wonders there. It's amazing how even tiny openings let in so much cold air...
Haha, your cat sounds like mine—she shredded my foam weatherstripping last winter. Learned my lesson there...
Anyway, totally agree about the plastic film kits. They seem gimmicky at first, but I've seen them work wonders in older homes. Another quick fix I've found helpful is rope caulk—it's easy to apply and remove, and great for sealing those sneaky little gaps around window frames. Cheap too, which never hurts.
Rope caulk's a lifesaver—I used it last year on my drafty kitchen window and it made a noticeable difference. Another thing that helped me was heavier curtains; they're surprisingly effective at blocking drafts, especially if you tuck them in around the edges at night. Has anyone tried making their own insulated window coverings? I've seen some DIY tutorials online but haven't given it a go yet... seems doable, though.
I haven't made full insulated coverings, but I did DIY some thermal liners for my existing curtains last winter. Just bought some cheap fleece blankets, cut them to size, and pinned them behind the curtains—worked surprisingly well. Definitely noticed less chill around the windows. If you're handy with a sewing machine (I'm not really, lol), you could probably make something nicer-looking. But even my quick-and-dirty solution made a difference...worth a shot if you're curious!
Did something similar last year, but I used those reflective emergency blankets instead of fleece. Cut them to size, taped behind the curtains—looked a bit weird from outside, but inside was noticeably warmer. Honestly, fleece sounds nicer visually, but the reflective stuff really bounced heat back into the room. Might be worth trying if you don't mind the shiny spaceship vibe, haha.
Agree reflective blankets do trap heat well, but:
- They don't stop drafts—just reflect warmth.
- Consider sealing gaps with weather stripping first.
- Maybe combine fleece visually with reflective backing?
Could be best of both worlds without the spaceship look, haha.
Reflective blankets definitely have their place, but you're right—they won't stop drafts. I've seen plenty of folks try to go the reflective route first, only to realize later that sealing gaps would've made a bigger difference from the start.
If you haven't already, I'd recommend checking the window frame closely for any gaps or cracks—weather stripping is a lifesaver there. Foam tape works wonders and is pretty straightforward to apply: just clean the surface, measure your lengths carefully, and press firmly into place. It can honestly make a huge difference overnight.
As for combining fleece with reflective backing... that's actually pretty clever. I've seen people sew fleece curtains with a reflective liner hidden behind. It traps warmth without making your room look like NASA HQ (unless that's your thing!). Just remember to leave some breathing room between layers to maximize insulation—tight layering can sometimes reduce effectiveness.
Anyway, good luck keeping out the chill... it's always satisfying when you finally beat that stubborn draft.
"Foam tape works wonders and is pretty straightforward to apply: just clean the surface, measure your lengths carefully, and press firmly into place."
True about foam tape—it saved my sanity last winter. But one thing I noticed: after a while, the adhesive weakened from condensation on colder nights. Ever run into that? Wondering if anyone's tried silicone caulk instead... seems like it might hold up better long-term, though maybe trickier to remove later.
Foam tape's decent, but yeah, condensation can definitely mess with it after a while. Silicone caulk actually works pretty well—used it around my basement windows last year and it's held up great. Just make sure you get the removable kind if you're thinking of taking it off later... regular silicone can be a pain to remove cleanly. Another thing I've tried is window film kits; they're surprisingly effective for temporary fixes. Worth considering?
Window film kits can be decent, but have you considered how well they'll hold up if condensation's already an issue? I've seen them work great in dry rooms, but in damp areas they sometimes peel off or bubble up after a while. Silicone caulk is solid advice, though—especially the removable kind. Have you checked if the window itself is properly aligned or sealed? Sometimes a quick adjustment or tightening the hardware can make a surprising difference...