I've gotta say, I've actually had pretty decent luck with those shrink-wrap kits. Maybe it's beginner's luck since this is my first winter in the new place, but they've held up surprisingly well—even with my overly curious cat pawing at them every now and then. I did have to patch one tiny hole, but a bit of clear tape fixed it right up, and it's barely noticeable.
Cellular shades sound awesome, though... might look into those eventually. But for now, the shrink-wrap stuff is doing the trick without breaking the bank. Also, totally agree on rope caulk—picked some up after reading about it here, and it's been a lifesaver around some drafty window frames.
- Glad the shrink-wrap's working out for you—I had similar luck my first winter too, but eventually my dog decided it was a chew toy, lol.
- Cellular shades are definitely worth it down the line. Got some on sale last year, and they've made a noticeable difference in warmth and noise reduction.
- Also, if you ever run out of rope caulk, painter's tape can be a quick fix in a pinch. Not pretty, but it does the job temporarily...
"Also, if you ever run out of rope caulk, painter's tape can be a quick fix in a pinch. Not pretty, but it does the job temporarily..."
Painter's tape definitely works short-term, but I've found masking tape sticks a bit better and is just as easy to remove later. Granted, it leaves a little residue sometimes, but nothing some rubbing alcohol can't handle. Has anyone tried thermal curtains? I picked up a set last winter—bit pricey, but they noticeably cut down drafts and added insulation. Curious if others had similar results...
I've used thermal curtains for a couple winters now, and yeah, they do make a noticeable difference. My bedroom window faces north and always felt chilly, but after hanging those curtains, the room stayed warmer overnight. They're not magic or anything—still gotta seal up drafts—but definitely worth it if you're dealing with persistent cold spots. Just make sure they're wide enough to fully cover the window edges, otherwise cold air sneaks around the sides... learned that the hard way.
Thermal curtains definitely help, but honestly, I've found window film insulation kits to be even more effective. A few winters back, I had a similar issue with north-facing windows—curtains helped somewhat, but the real game changer was applying that shrink-wrap style film. It creates an insulating air pocket that significantly reduces heat loss. Granted, it's not the prettiest solution, but if you're dealing with serious cold spots, it might be worth considering alongside your curtains.
I've worked with window films quite a bit, and yeah, they're surprisingly effective. A few years ago, I tested thermal curtains versus shrink-wrap film on identical windows, and the film consistently showed better insulation performance. Not the prettiest, agreed, but the data doesn't lie...
- Film does work, no doubt, but I've found cellular shades strike a better balance.
- Easier on the eyes, decent insulation, and you don't have to peel sticky residue come spring...
- Worth considering if aesthetics matter at all.
I've tried cellular shades myself, and yeah, they're definitely easier on the eyes than film. But honestly, I wasn't as impressed with their insulation as some folks seem to be. Maybe it's just my house or the altitude (we're pretty high up here too), but I still felt drafts sneaking through on colder nights.
Funny story—when we first moved in, my partner insisted we try bubble wrap on the windows. I thought it was ridiculous at first, picturing our place looking like a shipping warehouse. But we gave it a shot in one of the back rooms just to humor him. Surprisingly, it worked better than expected. The room stayed noticeably warmer, and it was dirt cheap compared to shades or films. Of course, aesthetics-wise... let's just say Martha Stewart wouldn't approve.
Eventually, we compromised by using heavier curtains layered over cellular shades in the main rooms. That combo seemed to do the trick—good insulation without sacrificing looks too much. And no sticky residue drama come springtime either.
So yeah, cellular shades are decent, but if you're really serious about insulation at higher altitudes, layering might be the way to go. Or you could always embrace your inner warehouse manager and bubble-wrap everything...
"Or you could always embrace your inner warehouse manager and bubble-wrap everything..."
Haha, I've seen that bubble-wrap trick in action too—my neighbor swears by it. Personally, I went with insulating curtains layered over sealed cellular shades... no drafts yet, even at altitude. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Bubble wrap, huh? I've seen that done a few times, and while it does help, it's not exactly a long-term solution. If you're serious about insulation at altitude, I'd suggest checking your window seals first—those tiny cracks can let in more cold air than you'd think. Then, consider adding weatherstripping or caulking around the frames. Curtains and cellular shades are great, but sealing those sneaky gaps makes a huge difference... and saves you from turning your living room into a shipping center.