"Honestly, I was surprised—they actually made a noticeable difference."
Yeah, same here. When I first moved into my place (first-time homeowner here, still figuring stuff out), I thought blackout curtains were just fancy curtains with a higher price tag. But after a few months of waking up at sunrise because my bedroom faces east, I caved and bought some. Turns out they're pretty legit. Not only did they help me sleep past 6 AM on weekends (thank god), but they also noticeably cut down on the chill coming off the windows in winter.
But you're right—they're definitely not magic. My apartment is pretty high up, and the wind can get intense sometimes. Even with blackout curtains, I could still feel drafts sneaking in around the edges. Eventually, I had to bite the bullet and properly seal around the window frames with caulk. It wasn't as intimidating as I expected (YouTube tutorials FTW), and it made a huge difference.
Also, random tip: if you're way up high like me and dealing with strong winds or noise from traffic below, double-check your window seals and frames before investing in pricier solutions. My neighbor spent a ton on fancy soundproofing curtains only to realize later that his window frame was loose and rattling in the wind... awkward.
Anyway, blackout curtains are definitely worth it for comfort and energy savings, but don't skip checking your windows themselves first. Learned that one the hard way!
I had a similar issue with drafts at my old place. Curtains helped a bit, but the real culprit was actually the window itself—the frame had shifted slightly over the years, so no curtain was gonna solve that. Ended up replacing the window entirely (pricey but worth it). Did you notice any gaps or movement in your frames when sealing them? Curious if that's common in high-rise buildings...
Had a similar experience myself—turns out frames in taller buildings can shift slightly due to wind pressure and building sway over time. Did you notice if the gaps were worse during windy days or storms? Could be a clue...
"Did you notice if the gaps were worse during windy days or storms? Could be a clue..."
Funny you mention that—I live on the 18th floor and had a similar issue a few years back. At first, I thought I was imagining things, but sure enough, the gaps around my windows got noticeably bigger during storms. Had a window guy come out, and he explained how taller buildings flex slightly with wind pressure, causing frames to shift. He recommended flexible sealants or weatherstripping designed specifically for high-rise windows. Worked like a charm for me... might be worth looking into.
Interesting point about the flexible sealants... but wouldn't that just mask the underlying issue? I mean, if the frames are shifting enough to notice gaps, isn't that a structural concern long-term? I'm no expert, but I'd probably want to check with building management or an engineer to make sure it's within normal limits. Better safe than sorry, especially when you're way up there...
Yeah, good call on the structural concern thing. When I moved into my place (first-time homeowner here, still figuring it all out), I noticed some weird window gaps after the first winter. Freaked me out a bit at first... visions of my whole wall sliding off in the middle of the night, lol. Anyway, building management had an engineer check it and turns out some minor shifting is pretty normal, especially in taller buildings with temperature changes and wind pressure. They said flexible sealants help manage these tiny shifts without causing bigger issues down the road.
But you're right—if the gaps are really noticeable or seem to be getting worse, it's def worth getting someone qualified to have a look. Better to get peace of mind than lose sleep thinking your place is gonna start leaning like Pisa someday.
Yeah, flexible sealants definitely help, but honestly, if you're noticing gaps after just one winter, I'd be a bit cautious about dismissing it as totally normal. I've lived in taller buildings for years, and while minor shifting happens, noticeable gaps appearing quickly could hint at installation issues or materials that aren't ideal for your climate. Might be worth getting a second opinion from someone independent—just to be safe. Better to catch it early than deal with bigger headaches later... trust me on that one.
Totally agree that gaps appearing after just one winter isn't something to brush off lightly. But before you jump straight to installation issues, maybe also consider the window frame material itself? I've seen vinyl frames warp slightly in extreme cold climates, causing gaps sooner than you'd expect. Personally, I'm a big fan of fiberglass frames—they handle temperature swings way better and keep things snug longer. Might be worth looking into if you're thinking about future-proofing your windows...
"Personally, I'm a big fan of fiberglass frames—they handle temperature swings way better and keep things snug longer."
Fiberglass is solid, no doubt, but don't overlook quality wood frames either. I've seen homes up north with well-maintained wood windows lasting decades without gaps. Just gotta commit to the upkeep...
Fiberglass definitely has its perks, especially with temperature swings. But like you mentioned:
"Just gotta commit to the upkeep..."
That upkeep can get pretty tedious, especially if you're dealing with harsh weather year-round. Curious though, has anyone here tried hybrid frames? I've heard they're supposed to blend the best of both worlds—low maintenance but still that classic wood look. Wondering how they hold up in extreme conditions...