Came across this article yesterday about how they're building some new research station high up in the Andes, and apparently, regular window insulation just doesn't cut it at those altitudes. Something about thinner air causing heat loss faster than usual... who knew? Got me thinking—anyone here ever had to tweak their insulation setup for high altitude living? Curious if it's really that big of a difference or just more hype.
"Something about thinner air causing heat loss faster than usual... who knew?"
Honestly, sounds a bit exaggerated to me. I moved into my first home last year at around 7,000 feet, and while I did notice drafts more than at sea level, it wasn't exactly night-and-day. Upgraded to double-pane windows and thicker curtains—problem mostly solved. Maybe if you're building a lab in the Andes it's different, but for regular living? Seems like marketing hype trying to sell us "high-altitude" insulation...
Yeah, I get what you're saying—sometimes these insulation companies latch onto anything to push their products. But honestly, altitude does make a bit of difference. When I stayed at my cousin's cabin around 9,000 feet, the nights felt noticeably colder near the windows compared to home. Not drastic, but enough to notice. Your double-pane upgrade sounds spot-on though; usually that's all it takes to keep things comfy.
"When I stayed at my cousin's cabin around 9,000 feet, the nights felt noticeably colder near the windows compared to home."
Yeah, altitude definitely plays a role—air density drops as you go higher, meaning less insulation from the outside cold. Your double-pane upgrade is a solid move; it traps air between panes, creating a thermal barrier. If you still notice chill spots, consider adding some thermal curtains or cellular shades. They're pretty affordable and can make a noticeable difference without much hassle... just something to think about if you're still feeling drafts.
Good points above. I live around 8,500 ft and dealt with similar issues. A few things that helped:
- Double-pane windows were a must—single panes were basically useless at night.
- Added thermal curtains in bedrooms, definitely cut down on drafts.
- Weather stripping around window frames made a noticeable difference too.
One thing I noticed is that rooms facing north or east always felt colder, even with upgrades. Guessing wind exposure matters as much as altitude. Also, humidity (or lack of it) seems to affect comfort levels. Dry air at altitude makes the cold feel sharper somehow.
Anyway, sounds like you're already on the right track with double panes. Curtains or shades are easy fixes if you still feel chilly spots.
Interesting points, especially about humidity—I never really thought about dry air making cold feel sharper. But honestly, I've found thermal curtains a bit overrated. Tried them in my east-facing room, and while they helped a little, the real game-changer was insulating film kits. Cheap, easy to install, and surprisingly effective. Not the prettiest solution, but hey... function over form sometimes, right?
Yeah, insulating film kits are underrated for sure. They're not gonna win any beauty contests, but they do the job surprisingly well. Thermal curtains can help a bit, but honestly, they're more hype than substance in my experience... especially in colder climates.
I've actually had pretty decent luck with thermal curtains, but the trick is getting the right ones and installing them properly. A lot of people just hang them like regular curtains, which leaves gaps around the edges. If you mount them close to the wall and let them overlap the window frame by a good 4-6 inches on all sides, they trap air better and make a noticeable difference. Not saying they're miracle workers, but definitely more than just hype if done right...
Yeah, thermal curtains can definitely help, but they're not the whole story. I've found combining them with those plastic window film kits makes a huge difference—especially in really cold climates or higher elevations. Sure, the plastic film isn't exactly stylish, but hey, warmth over aesthetics sometimes, right? Also, sealing up any tiny drafts around the window frames with weatherstripping or caulk is key. Small gaps are sneaky little heat thieves...
I've tried those plastic film kits before, and yeah, they help a bit, but honestly, the hassle of installing them and then the annoying crinkly noise every time the wind blows... not worth it for me. I've had better luck just doubling up with thicker insulated curtains and sealing those sneaky drafts.