Yeah, totally relate to the condensation issue. I didn't even realize how much moisture builds up indoors until I started noticing mold spots appearing on my window frames—talk about gross. I tried those moisture absorber boxes at first (the ones you stick on the windowsill), but honestly, they didn't do much for me.
Ended up getting trickle vents installed too, and it was surprisingly straightforward—not too pricey either. But what really made a difference was tweaking my heating habits a bit. Instead of cranking the heat way up for short bursts, I keep it at a steady lower temp all day now. Seems counterintuitive, but it actually reduced condensation dramatically and my bills haven't jumped like I thought they might.
Still love the big windows though... wouldn't give up that natural light for anything. Guess it's just about figuring out your home's quirks and adjusting from there.
Interesting you mention heating habits—I had a similar experience. I used to blast the heat for an hour or two in the evenings, thinking it was saving me money by not running it all day. Turns out, my bills were actually higher that way, and the condensation was awful. After switching to a steady, moderate temperature, things improved noticeably. Another thing that helped me was adding thick curtains—I know it sounds like it defeats the purpose of big windows, but hear me out... I only close them at night or when it's super cold, and they really help keep the warmth in. Plus, opening them in the morning feels kinda satisfying, like waking up the house.
Have you tried anything like thermal blinds or curtains yet? Curious if anyone else found them helpful or just a hassle to deal with.
I haven't tried thermal blinds yet, but I did put up some heavy curtains last winter. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—seemed like a hassle—but it made a noticeable difference. The room felt warmer, and the condensation issue improved a lot. Still, I miss seeing the stars at night... trade-offs, I guess. Wonder if thermal blinds would be less bulky and easier to manage? Might give them a shot next season.
"Still, I miss seeing the stars at night... trade-offs, I guess."
Yeah, that's the kicker for me too. Heavy curtains definitely help with warmth, but losing that nighttime view is a bummer. I've been thinking about thermal blinds myself—heard they're less bulky and easier to roll up during the day. But do they really insulate as well as thick curtains? If anyone's tried both, I'd love to hear how they stack up.
I've tried both thermal blinds and heavy curtains, and honestly, I'm still kinda skeptical about the blinds. They're definitely easier to manage during the day, no doubt there—especially if you want to quickly open up for sunlight or a view—but in terms of pure insulation, thick curtains seem to have the edge. Maybe it's because curtains trap more air between the fabric and window? Not sure exactly how the physics works out, but in my experience, thermal blinds help somewhat but never quite match that cozy warmth heavy curtains provide.
Another thing to consider is that blinds tend to leave small gaps around the edges—especially if your windows aren't perfectly square (which mine definitely aren't!). Those little gaps let cold drafts sneak through, which kinda defeats the purpose. Curtains, on the other hand, can overlap generously at the edges and block those sneaky drafts better.
That said, if you really miss your nighttime views (and I totally get that—nothing beats stargazing from a comfy chair), maybe there's a compromise worth checking out. I've heard about insulating window films that supposedly help retain heat without blocking visibility. Haven't tried them myself yet—still skeptical they'd actually make much difference—but it could be worth looking into. Has anyone here given those insulating films a shot? Curious if they're worthwhile or just another gimmick...
I've been wondering about those insulating films myself. Just moved into my first place last year, and the windows are huge—great for natural light, but man, the heating bills were a shocker. I started with thermal blinds too, and yeah, same issue with drafts sneaking around the edges. Curtains definitely helped more, but I missed seeing outside at night.
Anyway, I decided to give the insulating film a shot on one window as a test run. Installation was pretty straightforward—just clean the glass thoroughly, spray some water, and smooth it out carefully to avoid bubbles. Honestly wasn't expecting much difference, but surprisingly it did help cut down on that chilly feeling near the window. It's subtle—not like curtains-level warmth—but noticeable enough that I'm planning to do a couple more windows this winter.
Might be worth trying on just one window first to see if you notice any improvement before committing fully. At least it's not super expensive or permanent if you change your mind later...
I’ve installed quite a few of these films for clients, and yeah, they're not miracle workers, but they do help.
"It's subtle—not like curtains-level warmth—but noticeable enough..."
Exactly. They're great as a supplemental barrier, especially if your windows are older or single-pane. One tip: invest in a decent squeegee to smooth out bubbles—trust me, your credit card will thank you for not using it as a makeshift tool... learned that one the hard way.
Has anyone else noticed a difference in drafts after putting these films up? I'm thinking of trying it out this winter because our living room windows are huge and kinda drafty. I mean, I don't expect miracles either, but even a slight improvement would be nice. Good tip on the squeegee btw—I once ruined an old gift card trying to smooth wallpaper bubbles... live and learn, right?
I've tried those window films a couple winters back, and honestly, I wasn't too impressed. Our house has these big old windows too—beautiful to look at, but man, they leak heat like crazy. Anyway, I spent a whole afternoon carefully putting up the film (wish I'd known about the squeegee trick then), and while it did help a little with drafts, it wasn't enough to really notice on our heating bill.
What actually made a bigger difference for us was investing in some heavy thermal curtains. They're not exactly cheap, but you can find decent deals if you shop around. We close them at night or whenever it's particularly cold out, and it's noticeably warmer in the room. Plus, they're easier to deal with than wrestling plastic film onto windows every year.
Not saying the film won't help at all—just don't expect too much from it. If you're looking for something more substantial, curtains might be worth considering instead...
Totally agree on the curtains—made a huge difference for us too. A couple other things we've tried that helped:
- Weatherstripping around the window frames cut down drafts noticeably.
- Caulking any gaps or cracks outside made a surprising difference.
- If you're handy, storm windows can be a game changer (though they're pricier and more effort).
Films are okay in a pinch, but honestly, they're more hassle than they're worth IMO...