Insulating there makes a bigger difference than most people expect, especially in these old houses with double-hung windows.
That’s spot on. I finally tackled the weights cavity in my 1920s place last fall. Didn’t expect much, but the drop in drafts was way more noticeable than when I tried rope caulk. I do like the bronze weatherstripping too—it takes some patience to install, but it’s held up through two winters now. Haven’t had to re-stick anything or deal with that gummy mess. The only downside is you need a steady hand and a bit of time, but for me it was worth it to keep those rattly sashes quiet and tight.
- Totally agree about the difference insulation makes—my windows were like wind tunnels before I did anything.
- Tried rope caulk too, but it kept peeling off every time I opened the windows, and left a sticky mess.
- Haven’t braved the bronze weatherstripping yet... kinda intimidated by anything that requires actual skill and tools. But if it keeps the sashes from rattling every time a truck drives by, maybe worth a shot.
- For now, just been stuffing those foam tubes in the gaps and hoping for the best. Not exactly pretty, but it’s cheap and at least my plants don’t freeze at night anymore.
- Did anyone try those shrink-wrap plastic kits? My neighbor swears by them, but I feel like they’d turn my living room into a greenhouse... or just look sad after two weeks.
- Old houses are charming until you realize you’re basically heating the outdoors half the year.
Shrink-wrap kits actually surprised me. I used them in my draftiest room last winter, half expecting the plastic to sag or look awful, but it held up better than I thought. Not pretty, but the difference was instant—I stopped feeling that icy breeze on my ankles. Yeah, it does make the windows a bit “foggy” looking, but honestly, I’d rather have that than frost on the inside glass. Haven’t braved bronze weatherstripping either... tools and I don’t get along. Maybe one day when I’m feeling brave (or desperate).
Shrink-wrap kits really are a bit of a hidden gem, right? I had the same low expectations—figured it’d look like a cheap shower curtain taped over my windows. But the warmth difference was real. I actually started using them in my old rental, where the windows rattled every time the wind picked up. Not exactly magazine-worthy, but I’d take slightly weird-looking windows over waking up to frost on the inside any day.
I get what you mean about weatherstripping, though. The idea of hammering in bronze strips made me nervous too (plus, I’m not exactly handy). I did eventually try the peel-and-stick foam kind in my kitchen, and it was way less intimidating. Not as durable as bronze, but it helped with drafts around the door.
Curious—did you notice any condensation issues with the plastic? I had a little at first, but it seemed to settle down after a week or so. Maybe depends on the window type or how tightly it’s sealed...
Curious—did you notice any condensation issues with the plastic? I had a little at first, but it seemed to settle down after a week or so.
I actually had the opposite problem—no condensation at all, and I was kind of expecting some. Maybe my windows are just leaky enough that air still sneaks in around the frame, even with the shrink-wrap on? It’s an old house (1920s), so nothing’s really square or tight anymore. I do wonder if a super airtight seal would trap more moisture.
About the foam weatherstripping: tried that too, and yeah, it’s not exactly a permanent fix, but it’s quick. The only thing I found is that after one winter, it started peeling off where the door gets direct sun. Did you have that issue, or is your kitchen shaded?
And just curious—did you ever try double-layering the plastic on the worst windows? I did that once in my draftiest room and it made a difference, but looked pretty rough. Not sure if it was worth the trade-off.
- Had the same issue with foam weatherstripping peeling off—mine was on a west-facing door, so it got roasted every afternoon. Lasted maybe two months before it started curling up at the corners.
- Tried double-layering plastic once in the spare bedroom. It definitely helped with drafts, but looked like I was prepping for a tornado... or hiding something. Not my best DIY look.
- Never had much condensation either, probably because these windows leak like a sieve. Guess that’s one perk of an old house?
- Same here with the foam—it just doesn't hold up to sun at all. I tried the felt kind, but it was even worse for sticking.
- Plastic film is kind of ugly, but it actually stopped the worst drafts in my room. Not sure how people make it look good... mine always wrinkles.
- My windows are ancient too. No condensation, but wow, they let in everything else. Guess that's "natural ventilation"?
My place is almost 100 years old, and I swear these windows have seen more winters than I've had hot dinners. I’ve tried pretty much everything you mentioned—foam, felt, the whole parade. The felt stuff peeled right off after a week, which was honestly kind of impressive in its own way. Foam just turned into this weird, brittle mess once the sun hit it. I ended up vacuuming up little foam bits for weeks.
Plastic film actually did help with the worst of the cold drafts, but yeah, it’s not exactly winning any beauty contests over here either. Mine always gets that saggy look, like an old tent. Maybe there’s a trick to stretching it tighter? I watched a few videos but either I’m missing something or my windows are just stubborn.
I get you on the “natural ventilation”—I tell myself the same thing when the wind whistles through the cracks. It’s like living in a harmonica sometimes. No condensation is a plus, I guess? At least you’re not dealing with mold on top of everything else.
It’s kind of comforting to know I’m not the only one wrestling with this stuff every winter. There’s something almost charming about these old windows until you’re shivering at 2am because a draft found its way under your blanket. But hey, at least we don’t have to worry about stale air… silver linings, right?
Mine always gets that saggy look, like an old tent. Maybe there’s a trick to stretching it tighter?
I’ve had the same issue with plastic film—no matter how careful I am, it ends up looking like a wrinkled rain poncho. The “trick” everyone swears by is a hair dryer, but honestly, I’ve found it only helps so much if your frames aren’t perfectly flat. Some of these old wood windows just don’t want to cooperate. I’ll admit, the drafts drive me nuts, but ripping out the originals feels like a crime against history. I guess we’re all just choosing between freezing and losing a bit of that old house charm…
ripping out the originals feels like a crime against history
Totally get that. I wrestle with the same guilt—love those wavy panes and old wood, but man, they let in every draft. Have you tried double-sided tape all around the frame? Sometimes it helps the film grip better, even on uneven spots. Not perfect, but maybe worth a shot before giving up on the charm.