Yeah, good point—installation's definitely not the place to pinch pennies. But honestly, I wouldn't skimp too much on windows either. Up high, wind pressure gets pretty intense... you want something sturdy enough to handle that without rattling all night. Balance is key, imo.
Totally agree with you on windows being just as important as installation. Learned that the hard way myself a few years back—thought I'd save some cash by going mid-range on windows for our upstairs addition. Big mistake. First windy night, it sounded like a ghost was trying to break in... rattling, creaking, you name it. Ended up replacing them less than two years later with something sturdier, and the difference was night and day.
You're right about balance too. It's tempting to overspend on premium features that don't really add much value, but durability against wind pressure is definitely worth the investment. Good call bringing that up—wish I'd thought about it more carefully back then.
Had a similar experience myself, but I'm still not totally convinced premium always equals better. Went high-end on windows for our attic conversion, and yeah, they're solid against wind, but honestly... did I really need triple-glazed, noise-cancelling glass up there? Probably not. Makes me wonder—where's the sweet spot between sturdy enough and overkill? Seems like there's gotta be a middle ground that's durable without emptying your wallet.
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I'd say noise-cancelling glass can still be worth it even higher up. Used to think the same as you until we got a neighbor who loves late-night DIY projects in his garage—power tools at midnight aren't fun. Plus, triple-glazing isn't just about noise; it helps with insulation too. Might be a bit pricier upfront, sure, but I figure lower heating bills over time balance things out...or am I just justifying my own spending decisions here?
"Might be a bit pricier upfront, sure, but I figure lower heating bills over time balance things out..."
Fair point about insulation savings, but honestly, triple-glazing might be overkill if noise isn't a major issue. Double-glazed with good thermal curtains worked wonders for me—saved money and still cozy. Just another angle to consider...
Good points all around. I've tried both double and triple glazing over the years, and honestly, double glazing plus some DIY tricks can get you pretty close to triple-glazed comfort without the hefty price tag. Here's what worked for me: first, seal up any drafts around the frames (cheap foam tape is your friend here). Then, invest in some decent thermal blinds or curtains—makes a surprising difference. Finally, don't underestimate a good old-fashioned rug on cold floors... cozy toes make everything feel warmer!
"honestly, double glazing plus some DIY tricks can get you pretty close to triple-glazed comfort without the hefty price tag."
Totally agree on this. After decades of patching up old houses, I've learned a thing or two about chasing that elusive "perfect" insulation. Triple glazing is nice in theory, but the extra cost rarely justified itself in my experience—especially if you're handy enough to tackle some basic DIY.
Couple things I'd add from personal trial-and-error:
- Bubble wrap trick: sounds silly, but a layer of bubble wrap taped inside windows during the coldest months actually helps. Looks a bit goofy, but hey, warmth over aesthetics sometimes.
- Window film kits (the shrink-wrap stuff): cheap and surprisingly effective at cutting down drafts. Bit of a hassle putting it up every year, but worth it.
- Heavy curtains are great, but don't overlook curtain liners—cheap upgrade that adds another insulating layer.
That said... nothing beats fixing the actual window seals if they're really shot. DIY tricks help, sure, but sometimes you've gotta bite the bullet and replace or professionally reseal those frames. Learned that one the hard way.
Interesting points here, especially the bubble wrap trick. I admit I've tried it myself—worked pretty well actually, though my cat thought I'd put up a new scratching toy just for her. That didn't last long...
"Heavy curtains are great, but don't overlook curtain liners—cheap upgrade that adds another insulating layer."
Curtain liners are underrated for sure. I grabbed some thermal liners last winter and honestly noticed a difference almost immediately. They're easy enough to install too: just hook them behind your existing curtains and you're done. Definitely worth the small investment.
One thing I'm wondering though, since we're talking about living higher up (assuming apartments or taller buildings?), is wind pressure. Does anyone else notice drafts getting worse the higher you live? I moved from a ground-floor place to a 12th-floor apartment recently, and even with decent double glazing, the drafts around the frames seem way more noticeable up here. Maybe it's just my imagination or poor window seals again... but I'm curious if elevation actually makes that much difference?
Also, I've heard some folks talk about external shutters or screens helping with insulation at height, but that seems tricky if you're renting or in an apartment block. Has anyone had luck negotiating something like that with landlords or building management? Seems like it could be a hassle, but maybe worth exploring if it makes a big enough difference...
I've worked on a few high-rise apartments, and honestly, external shutters or screens can be more trouble than they're worth. Had one client who fought building management for months to install them—finally got approval, but the difference wasn't as dramatic as he'd hoped. Better off investing in sealing those window frames properly. Drafts up high usually mean poor installation or worn seals—not just elevation.
Good point on sealing the frames properly—people often underestimate how much difference that makes. I've seen similar issues, and usually, just replacing worn weatherstripping or adding some quality caulking around the edges makes a noticeable improvement. External shutters can look great, but practically... sometimes simpler really is better.