Thermal curtains are a pretty solid choice, honestly. I switched over to them last winter after dealing with that annoying film adhesive residue—still have flashbacks to scrubbing the frames, lol. Agree they're not perfect, but definitely way less hassle overall. Plus, it's nice being able to just draw them open on sunny days...makes the room feel warmer without any extra effort. Good call on skipping the tape too—I found it didn't really stick around (literally) for long either.
Thermal curtains definitely help, but if you're still feeling drafts, you might wanna check around the window frame itself. I've seen a lot of homes where the caulking or weatherstripping has worn out—it's sneaky how much cold air can slip through those tiny gaps. A quick bead of fresh caulk or some new weatherstripping can make a huge difference. And yeah, totally agree about that tape...it promises miracles but usually just leaves a sticky mess behind, haha.
Yeah, thermal curtains are decent, but honestly they're more of a band-aid fix. If you're still feeling drafts, it's probably something structural like you mentioned—caulking or weatherstripping. I'd also suggest checking the window latch itself; sometimes older windows don't close tightly anymore, and that tiny gap can let in a surprising amount of cold air. Had this issue myself last winter... ended up adjusting the latch mechanism slightly and it made a noticeable difference. Worth a quick look before you break out the caulk gun.
Thermal curtains might not be a permanent fix, sure, but calling them just a band-aid seems a bit harsh. I put some up last month and honestly, they've made a bigger difference than I expected. Sure, structural fixes are ideal, but if you're tight on time or money, curtains can be surprisingly effective. Also, adjusting the latch is fine if that's your issue, but sometimes older windows warp slightly—then you're stuck with a gap no matter how much you fiddle with the latch. Just saying, curtains aren't always a waste of effort...
I've been wondering about thermal curtains myself—good to hear they're working for you. My windows are pretty old too, and I've noticed some drafts lately. Have you tried weatherstripping tape yet? I put some around the edges last weekend, and it helped a bit, though I'm still feeling a slight chill. Maybe combining that with curtains would be the sweet spot... or am I just being overly optimistic here?
"Maybe combining that with curtains would be the sweet spot... or am I just being overly optimistic here?"
You're not overly optimistic—I've done exactly that. Weatherstripping alone helped, but it wasn't enough for my old windows either. I added thermal curtains afterward, and the combo made a noticeable difference. Have you checked if the draft is coming from the glass itself? Mine were single-pane, so I ended up using that shrink-wrap window insulation kit too. Looks a bit goofy, but hey, warmth beats aesthetics in January...
I've been wondering about those shrink-wrap kits myself... my windows aren't single-pane, but they're definitely drafty. I tried weatherstripping last weekend, and it helped a bit, but there's still a noticeable chill. Thermal curtains sound promising, though I'm skeptical they'll fully solve the issue. Did you notice condensation buildup with the shrink-wrap? I've heard mixed things about that—wouldn't want to trade drafts for mold problems down the line...
"Did you notice condensation buildup with the shrink-wrap? I've heard mixed things about that—wouldn't want to trade drafts for mold problems down the line..."
That's a valid concern. I've used shrink-wrap kits several winters now, and condensation hasn't been a major issue for me—though I do make sure to thoroughly clean and dry the windows beforehand. Thermal curtains help somewhat, but honestly, combining both methods gave me the best results.
I've had similar experiences with shrink-wrap kits. Condensation can happen, but it's usually pretty minimal if you prep the windows right. A couple winters ago, I rushed through it without properly cleaning and drying beforehand, and I did notice a bit more moisture buildup than usual—but nothing close to mold territory. Learned my lesson there...
"Thermal curtains help somewhat, but honestly, combining both methods gave me the best results."
Totally agree with this. I initially thought thermal curtains alone would be enough, but they only cut down drafts slightly. Once I combined them with shrink-wrap, it was night and day. One tip I'd add is to check your humidity levels indoors—if your house tends to be humid anyway (cooking, showers, plants), running a dehumidifier occasionally can help keep moisture in check and prevent any mold worries.
Has anyone tried weatherstripping instead of shrink-wrap? It's a bit more work initially, but I've found it holds up better long-term.
"Once I combined them with shrink-wrap, it was night and day."
Shrink-wrap helps, sure, but wouldn't addressing the actual gaps directly make more sense overall?