Reglazing and weatherstripping definitely helped on my place, but honestly, it’s not a miracle fix if your sashes are warped or the frames are out of square. I did both—scraped out the old putty, fresh glaze, then self-adhesive foam strips. It cut the worst of the drafts but didn’t solve everything. Still, for the price, it’s worth a shot before shelling out for storms or new windows. Just takes some patience and a steady hand with the putty knife.
It cut the worst of the drafts but didn’t solve everything. Still, for the price, it’s worth a shot before shelling out for storms or new windows.
I hear you on that. I tried the same—reglazing and some foam strips—on my 1930s windows, and yeah, it helped a little, but those old frames just aren’t square anymore. I kept thinking, is it really worth my time patching up something that’s never going to seal right? I mean, I probably spent more hours than I care to admit with a putty knife and still felt a breeze after.
Has anyone actually had luck getting warped sashes to seal up decently with these DIY methods? Or is it just delaying the inevitable? I’m all for saving cash, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just throwing good money (and time) after bad. I also looked into interior storm inserts—seem cheaper than full window replacement, but I’m skeptical about how much they really help with sound and drafts. Anyone tried those?
I probably spent more hours than I care to admit with a putty knife and still felt a breeze after.
That sounds way too familiar. I’ve lost entire weekends to the “great draft battle” and still ended up with cold ankles in January. My house is from the ‘40s, so the window frames are about as square as a potato now. I tried the foam strips, rope caulk, even that shrink-wrap plastic you blast with a hairdryer—helped a bit, but nothing miraculous.
I do think there’s a point where you’re just slapping Band-Aids on a broken leg. If your sashes are really warped or out of alignment, it’s tough to get them truly airtight no matter how much elbow grease you throw at it. But if you’re just dealing with minor gaps or loose glazing, sometimes those DIY fixes buy you another year or two before diving into bigger expenses.
About those interior storm inserts—actually gave Indow inserts a shot last winter (got them on sale). Not cheap, but way less than full replacement. They made more difference than I expected for drafts and especially noise—I live near a main road and things got noticeably quieter. The install was dead simple (just press-fit), but they do make your windows look a little chunkier from inside. Still, if your old windows have any “charm” left and you want to hang onto them, it’s not a bad compromise.
One thing: if your frames are really warped or out of square, measure carefully because those inserts need a pretty tight fit to work properly. The company can custom cut, but even then it’s not perfect if your window is shaped like an amoeba.
If you’re just trying to keep costs down and don’t mind some imperfection, layering solutions (foam strips + heavy curtains + maybe an insert) can get you most of the way there without breaking the bank. But yeah… sometimes it feels like we’re all just negotiating with our old houses rather than fixing them for good.
Old windows: charming until winter hits!
I can relate to the “negotiating with the house” part—mine’s a 1952 ranch and I keep discovering new ways cold air sneaks in. I tried the shrink-wrap plastic too, and while it helped a little, it looked kind of odd and I still felt drafts near the locks. I’ve been eyeing those interior inserts but wasn’t sure if they’d really make a difference, especially since none of my windows are actually square anymore. The price is a bit daunting, but if it helps with noise as well, maybe that’s worth it? Heavy curtains made things better for me, but they block out way more light than I’d like. Sometimes it feels like every fix is a tradeoff...
Those old ranch houses really do keep you on your toes. I’ve worked on a few from that era, and it’s wild how not a single window is ever truly square—makes every fix a bit of a puzzle. The shrink-wrap kits are decent for a quick patch, but yeah, they look temporary and don’t do much around locks or hardware.
I’ve installed a handful of those interior storm inserts for clients with “characterful” windows. They’re surprisingly forgiving if your frames are out of whack—most companies will custom-size them, and the flexible edge can usually handle some wonkiness. They do help with drafts and noise, though I’ll admit, the investment stings at first. One thing to watch: if your window frames are really warped, you might still get some air sneaking in around the corners.
Heavy curtains are great for insulation but, like you said, they turn the place into a cave. Sometimes I’ll suggest layering—sheers for daylight, heavier drapes for nighttime. Honestly, there’s no perfect solution with these old houses... just a lot of creative compromises.
I hear you on the storm inserts—definitely a solid middle ground, though I was surprised how much they set me back for just a few windows. I tried weatherstripping tape on the worst gaps and it helped a bit, but nothing’s perfect when the frames are all over the place. Heavy curtains work, but my living room felt like a bunker... I ended up with cellular shades for some light and insulation, though they’re not cheap either. Old houses really do make you get creative.
Heavy curtains work, but my living room felt like a bunker...
Totally get that—tried blackout drapes once and it was like living in a cave. Here’s what worked for me:
- Used rope caulk for drafty sashes. Super cheap, easy to remove in spring.
- Layered cellular shades with thin curtains. Still lets in some light, cuts drafts.
- For weird window frames, I custom-cut acrylic panels—cheaper than inserts, just a little DIY.
Old houses are a puzzle, but you’re right, it forces you to get creative. Not every fix is perfect, but every little bit helps.
Yeah, blackout curtains can make a place feel like a dungeon. I’ve had better luck with those honeycomb shades too—way less claustrophobic, and they actually help with drafts. Tried the plastic film kits once, but they always look a bit janky in my old place. Rope caulk is a lifesaver for those leaky sashes, though. Funny how you end up MacGyvering stuff just to keep the chill out...
Funny how you end up MacGyvering stuff just to keep the chill out...
Haha, story of my life. I tried the plastic film once too—looked like I’d wrapped my windows in cling wrap after a bad night out. Honestly, storm windows are my go-to if you can find some used. Not the prettiest, but they beat duct tape and drafts every time. Honeycomb shades are solid, but nothing beats actual new windows… if only my wallet agreed.
That plastic film never stays smooth for me either—looks like I tried to gift-wrap my living room. Storm windows are underrated, honestly. I did the same with a mismatched set I found online, and it cut the draft way down. Not perfect, but better than freezing or shelling out for new windows. Sometimes you’ve just gotta get creative and accept a little “character,” right?