Hook-and-eye latches… yeah, I’ve gone that route when nothing else lined up. Honestly, it’s not the worst for drafty old windows, but air leaks can sneak in if you’re not careful. I usually try to weatherstrip around them, just in case. Crooked handles kind of bug me, but I get the charm—my kitchen window looks like it’s winking at me now.
I get the charm thing, but honestly, those hook-and-eye latches just feel like a band-aid to me. I tried them on my old bathroom window and even with weatherstripping, it still felt drafty in winter. Maybe I’m too picky, but I’d rather wrestle with getting a proper latch lined up than deal with cold air sneaking in. Crooked handles would drive me nuts after a while... I guess I just want stuff to work right, not just look quirky.
Totally get where you’re coming from. Those hook-and-eye latches are more about nostalgia than function, honestly. I’ve seen folks try to “seal” them with extra weatherstripping or even painter’s tape, but you’re right—cold air still finds a way in. If you want real airtight, a proper compression latch or espagnolette is the way to go. Lining them up can be fiddly, but it beats shivering every morning. Crooked handles drive me nuts too... I’ve reinstalled more than a few just to get that satisfying click.