Glad to hear those shades worked out for you—I had a similar experience. We put them in our living room thinking they'd just look nice, but they actually made movie nights way cozier. Definitely agree they're not miracle workers, but every little bit helps when you're dealing with drafty windows. And yeah, measuring twice is key... learned that lesson myself after a frustrating return trip to the store. Live and learn, right?
Good points all around, but just to throw in a slightly different perspective:
- Shades definitely help with coziness, but if your windows are seriously drafty, shades alone might not cut it. I tried heavy curtains first, and while they looked great and helped a bit, the drafts were still noticeable.
- Eventually went with window film kits (the shrink-wrap kind). Honestly, they're not the prettiest solution, but they made a huge difference in comfort. Movie nights got way better once we weren't feeling that cold air creeping in.
- Totally agree on measuring twice—been there myself—but I'd also add that installation technique matters just as much. Even the best shades or curtains won't do much if they're not installed snugly against the frame.
- Another thing to consider is weatherstripping or caulking around the window frames themselves. It's a bit more work upfront, but it pays off big-time in terms of warmth and energy savings.
Anyway, glad you found something that works for you. Just thought I'd mention these other options since I've been down this road myself...
Good call on the window film—I was skeptical at first too, but it really does help. Also, don't underestimate draft stoppers along the sill...cheap, easy fix that made my living room way cozier.
I was skeptical about the film too, but honestly, it surprised me. I went from feeling like I lived in an igloo to something resembling a normal room. Haven't tried draft stoppers yet, though...I just stuffed an old towel along the sill last winter (classy, I know). Might give the real deal a shot this year. Also, anyone else notice curtains make a huge difference? Switched to heavier ones and it's like adding an extra blanket to the windows.
I'm glad someone else mentioned curtains—I was honestly surprised at how much of a difference they made, too. I switched to thicker ones last month and it felt noticeably warmer almost immediately. I haven't tried the window film yet, though... does it leave any residue or marks when you take it off in spring? I'm a bit paranoid about damaging the paint or trim.
Also, about draft stoppers—do they actually work better than towels, or is it mostly aesthetic? I've been using rolled-up blankets (classy club right here), but if the real thing makes a noticeable improvement, maybe it's worth upgrading. Are there specific materials or brands that are better, or is it all pretty much the same?
Thicker curtains definitely help, but honestly, window film surprised me even more. I've used it a couple winters now—zero residue or paint damage so far. Draft stoppers...meh, they're slightly better than towels, but mostly just look nicer. I'd stick with blankets unless aesthetics really bug you.
Glad you mentioned window film—I feel like it's one of those underrated solutions people overlook because it seems too simple or temporary. I remember installing it for a friend who had these gorgeous vintage windows that she absolutely refused to replace (understandably, they were beautiful). She was skeptical at first, worried about residue and damage, but we gave it a shot anyway. Fast forward a couple winters later, and she's still using it religiously every year. No issues at all with paint or residue either, just like your experience.
Draft stoppers...yeah, I'm kind of with you there. They look cute and cozy, but realistically they're not doing much more than a rolled-up towel would. I guess if you're really into aesthetics or have guests over often, they're worth the small upgrade. But blankets or thicker curtains are probably the better bang-for-your-buck option overall.
One thing I'd add—if you're dealing with serious drafts and window film isn't quite cutting it, consider checking the caulking around your windows. I've seen so many homes where the caulk has cracked or worn away over time without anyone noticing. A quick touch-up can make a surprising difference in keeping out cold air. It's cheap, easy to do yourself, and honestly pretty satisfying when you feel the difference afterward.
Anyway, sounds like you've got a good handle on things already—nice job figuring out what works best for your space!
Totally agree about the caulking—when we moved into our place, I couldn't figure out why the living room was always freezing, even with window film. Turns out the caulk was basically nonexistent in spots. Spent a Saturday afternoon redoing it (first time ever, thank you YouTube tutorials...) and the difference was night and day. Still love my draft stopper though, mostly because my dog thinks it's his personal pillow.
"Still love my draft stopper though, mostly because my dog thinks it's his personal pillow."
Haha, same here...my cat claimed ours immediately, so now it's basically hers. I had a similar issue with the windows in our bedroom—couldn't figure out why it was always chilly even with the heat cranked up. Turns out whoever installed them skipped insulating properly around the frames. Took me forever to pinpoint that one, but once we fixed it, it felt like a whole new room. Crazy how much difference those little details make.
Had a similar issue at our place—turns out they didn't use expanding foam around the window frames, just stuffed fiberglass insulation in there. Once we redid it properly, drafts disappeared almost immediately. Definitely worth checking if you're still noticing cold spots...