Magnetic kits are decent for a quick fix, but honestly, for those really out-of-square frames, I’ve had better luck with rope caulk. It’s cheap, super flexible, and you can press it into any weird gap—corners included. Just roll it out, push it in, and it comes off clean in spring. Not the prettiest, but it’s saved me from drafts in some truly wonky old windows. If you’re not worried about looks for the winter, it’s a solid option.
Not the prettiest, but it’s saved me from drafts in some truly wonky old windows.
I hear you on the rope caulk—used it on my 1920s place last winter and it definitely kept the worst of the drafts out. Not the prettiest, like you said, but it peels off easy come spring. Have you tried the shrink film kits at all? I always wonder if they’re worth the hassle with old, uneven frames, or if it’s just a waste of time fighting with the hair dryer.
Honestly, I’ve never had much luck with those shrink film kits on my old windows. The frames are just too warped—always end up with gaps or the film peeling at the corners. Rope caulk’s ugly, sure, but at least it actually blocks the draft. Sometimes function just wins out over looks, especially in January.
Yeah, I’ve run into the same issue with shrink film—if your window frames aren’t close to square, it just doesn’t seal right. Tried it in my 1920s house and the drafts just found their way around the edges. Rope caulk’s not pretty, but it’s easy to apply and actually works for those odd gaps. Sometimes I’ll layer it with a thin bead of clear silicone in the worst spots, just for a little extra insurance. In the dead of winter, aesthetics go out the window (pun intended) if it means keeping the living room above 60 degrees.
That’s actually a really smart combo—rope caulk plus a little silicone. I hadn’t thought about layering the two. Does the silicone ever make it tough to remove the caulk in the spring? I always worry about leaving residue behind, especially since my windows are original (1928, and not a straight angle anywhere).
I hear you on the shrink film. Mine looked like a wrinkly mess by January, and the drafts just found new routes. I’ve wondered if those magnetic interior storm window kits would be worth the hassle, but they’re kinda pricey, and I’m not sure they’d fit with my uneven frames either.
Have you ever tried using those insulated curtains? I’m curious if they actually make a noticeable difference or if it’s just marketing. At this point, I’ll trade looks for warmth too—cold toes are way worse than ugly windows.
Insulated curtains actually did more for me than I expected, but I wouldn’t call them a total solution. They help with drafts, but if the window’s super leaky, cold still sneaks in around the edges. Honestly, I found they trap more heat at night than during the day—maybe because I’m not opening and closing them constantly. Have you tried just rolling up a towel and wedging it at the base of the window? Not glamorous, but it’s made a surprising difference for my 1920s windows... I’m with you on the magnetic storms—seems like a lot of money if your frames aren’t straight.
Have you tried just rolling up a towel and wedging it at the base of the window? Not glamorous, but it’s made a surprising difference for my 1920s windows...
Funny you mention the towel trick—I basically lived with that setup all winter last year while I figured out how much I wanted to invest in actual fixes. Totally agree, it’s not pretty, but it’s weirdly effective for such a low-effort thing.
I’ve also had mixed results with insulated curtains. They’re definitely better than nothing, but like you said, if the window’s leaky enough, cold finds a way in. I actually noticed sometimes the cold air would collect behind the curtains and then sort of “spill” out if I moved them. Not ideal, but still better than bare glass.
I did try some cheap rope caulk around the edges, which helped more than I expected and was easy to remove come spring. Honestly, for old houses, it feels like there’s always some draft you’re chasing. It’s reassuring to hear I’m not the only one piecing together these “temporary” solutions that end up sticking around way longer than planned.
Yeah, I hear you—my 1940s place is basically a draft factory in winter. I’ve done the towel thing, but also tried that shrink-wrap window film. It’s not the prettiest, but it actually made a noticeable difference for me. Only downside is it can get a little fiddly to install if your window frames aren’t totally flat. Still, for a cheap fix, it’s hard to beat.
Totally agree, that window film isn’t glamorous but it’s a game changer when you’re trying to keep the cold out without spending a ton. I’ve done it for a couple winters now, and I’ve found if you use a hair dryer and really take your time smoothing it out, it helps a lot—even on those old, bumpy frames. Sometimes I’ll use painter’s tape to help hold the corners in place before I shrink it down, otherwise the plastic can get all wrinkly or start peeling off after a few weeks.
For anyone with really stubborn drafts, I’ve also had luck with those foam weatherstripping rolls—they’re cheap and you just stick them to the sash or frame. Not as invisible as the film, but in my drafty 1920s place, every bit helps. Honestly, I’d take a slightly ugly window over that bone-chilling breeze any day.
That painter’s tape trick is a lifesaver—I wish I’d thought of that last year when I tried to put film over my living room windows. I kept getting these weird wrinkles in the corners no matter how much I tried to smooth them out with the hair dryer. Ended up just living with it, but it drove me a little nuts every time I looked at it.
Honestly, I’d take a slightly ugly window over that bone-chilling breeze any day.
Couldn’t agree more. My place was built in the 50s and the drafts are relentless. I actually layered the film and the foam strips one winter, figuring if one was good, two had to be better... It wasn’t pretty, but it made a difference. I’m always curious if there’s a trick to getting the film off in the spring without leaving sticky residue everywhere. I’ve tried goo gone, but it’s a pain. Still, I’d rather deal with that than freezing toes all winter.