I've had decent luck with insulated curtains too, but honestly, the biggest improvement for me came from sealing up gaps around the window frames themselves. A lot of heat loss happens through tiny cracks you wouldn't even notice. I went around each window with a candle flame on a breezy day—sounds silly, but it really helps pinpoint drafts. Wherever the flame flickered, I marked the spot and then sealed it up with some caulk or expanding foam (depending on the gap size). Took maybe an afternoon total, and the difference was noticeable almost immediately.
One thing I'm still curious about though: has anyone tried those interior storm window inserts? I've seen DIY kits online that look pretty straightforward, but I'm wondering if they're actually worth the effort compared to simpler fixes like curtains or weatherstripping...
"One thing I'm still curious about though: has anyone tried those interior storm window inserts?"
Funny you mention those inserts—I gave them a shot last winter. Honestly, they're pretty decent. Installation was straightforward enough, though I did manage to glue my fingers together briefly (typical DIY adventure...). They definitely cut down on drafts and condensation, but if you've already sealed gaps and have good curtains, the improvement might not blow your socks off. Still, worth trying one window first to see if it's your thing before committing to the whole house.
I tried those inserts a couple winters ago, and honestly, they're not bad. Installation was pretty painless—no glued fingers here, thankfully—but I did have to trim one down slightly to fit properly. They noticeably reduced drafts around my older windows, but didn't exactly transform the room into a cozy paradise. If your windows are really drafty, they'll help; otherwise, you might only see modest improvements. Worth testing on one first before diving in fully.
I gave those inserts a shot last winter too, and my experience was pretty similar. Installation wasn't rocket science, but I did manage to trim mine a bit too enthusiastically—ended up with a gap that defeated the whole purpose. Classic DIY moment. They definitely cut down on drafts, but like you said, don't expect miracles. Still, cheaper than replacing the whole window, and my heating bill did drop slightly, so I'd call it a cautious win.
"Still, cheaper than replacing the whole window, and my heating bill did drop slightly, so I'd call it a cautious win."
Yeah, inserts can help a bit, but honestly, after years of patching things up myself, I finally bit the bullet and went for full replacements on a couple of my worst windows. Hurt the wallet initially, but the comfort difference was night and day...sometimes it's worth spending a little extra upfront.
"Hurt the wallet initially, but the comfort difference was night and day...sometimes it's worth spending a little extra upfront."
Yeah, I get what you're saying about comfort—makes a huge difference, doesn't it? When we moved into our place, we tried inserts first to save some cash, and they did help a bit. But honestly, after biting the bullet on replacements for the bedrooms, I wondered why we waited so long. Did you notice a big drop in noise levels too, or was it mostly just temperature improvement for you?
I totally see your point about comfort, but honestly, I'm still not convinced it's always worth the extra upfront cost. When we redid our windows a couple years back, we went mid-range instead of splurging on the premium stuff. Sure, they're probably not as fancy or efficient as the top-tier ones, but we've been pretty happy overall. Noise levels dropped noticeably—though maybe not dramatically—and temperature-wise, it's been solid enough that I don't regret saving some cash.
Funny thing is, my brother-in-law went all out with high-end replacements around the same time we did ours. He swears by them now, but when I visit his place, I can't really tell a huge difference compared to ours. Maybe it's just me...or maybe it depends more on your home's location and insulation rather than just window quality alone? Either way, I'm glad we upgraded from our old drafty windows—just not sure I'd stretch my budget too far next time around.
"Maybe it's just me...or maybe it depends more on your home's location and insulation rather than just window quality alone?"
You might be onto something there. When we replaced ours, I spent way too much time researching U-values, gas fills, and frame materials. Turns out, even mid-range windows can perform pretty close to premium if your insulation and sealing are solid. Did you notice if your brother-in-law upgraded insulation or weatherstripping too? Sometimes those smaller details make a bigger difference than the windows themselves...
Yeah, insulation and sealing definitely play a bigger role than most people realize. I remember obsessing over triple-pane vs double-pane windows, argon gas fills, and all that jazz...only to find out later my attic insulation was embarrassingly thin. Once I beefed that up and sealed some sneaky drafts around doors and outlets, the house felt way warmer—even before swapping out the windows. Makes you wonder how many folks drop big bucks on premium windows without checking the basics first, huh?
Totally agree with your point about sealing and insulation—it's easy to get caught up in the flashy, high-tech window options and overlook simpler fixes. When I moved into my first place, I was convinced the chilly drafts meant I had to replace all the windows immediately. But after spending some time researching, I realized how much air leakage was actually happening around the window frames themselves. Just using some quality caulk and weatherstripping made a noticeable difference, and it was way cheaper than springing for new windows right off the bat.
I do have one lingering question about windows, though. I know sealing and insulation tackle drafts and heat loss, but what about noise reduction? My neighborhood isn't super loud, but there's a busy street nearby, and I'm curious if upgrading to double-pane or triple-pane windows would help noticeably with sound. Has anyone here upgraded windows specifically for noise reduction rather than just energy efficiency? Did you find it worthwhile?
Another thing I've wondered about is condensation. My current windows get pretty foggy on cold mornings, even after sealing up drafts and improving attic insulation. Does window type or pane count significantly impact condensation buildup, or is that mostly a humidity issue inside the house?
Anyway, it's funny how home ownership makes you realize how little you knew before. I'm constantly discovering something else that needs attention or improvement...guess that's part of the fun (or frustration) of being a homeowner.