"Ended up biting the bullet and replacing a couple windows—painful upfront, but way warmer now."
Yeah, that's usually how it goes. Had a client last fall who tried every DIY trick in the book—plastic wrap, weather stripping, even some weird foam stuff he found online. He said it helped a bit, but nothing really fixed the drafts until he replaced the windows. It's definitely a tough pill to swallow cost-wise, but honestly, in the long run, your heating bills (and your toes) will thank you.
We did the plastic wrap thing one winter... looked ridiculous and didn't really do much except scare the neighbors, lol. Ended up just biting the bullet like you and replacing our living room window. Hurt the wallet for sure, but now I can actually sit on the couch without needing three blankets and a hoodie.
Wondering though, has anyone tried those heavy thermal curtains? My brother swears by them, says they made a noticeable difference without having to replace his older windows yet. I'm skeptical they'd do much if your windows are super drafty, but maybe they're decent for windows that aren't quite bad enough to replace yet? Curious if they're worth a shot or just another gimmick...
We have thermal curtains in our bedroom, and honestly, they're pretty decent. Our windows aren't terrible, but you could definitely feel the chill before we put them up. They won't magically fix a super drafty window (been there), but they do cut down the cold noticeably. Plus, they block out light nicely if you like sleeping in on weekends... I'd say worth trying before shelling out for new windows, at least.
Thermal curtains can help, sure, but honestly they're more of a band-aid than a real fix. I had big windows in my last place—beautiful views, but man, the heating bills were brutal. Tried curtains first, then window film, weather stripping... you name it. Eventually bit the bullet and upgraded to double-pane windows. Cost upfront sucked, but the difference was night and day. Curtains are decent for minor chills, but if your windows are seriously drafty, you're probably just delaying the inevitable.
Double-pane windows do make a huge difference, no argument there, but they're not always practical—especially if you're renting or on a tight budget. I've had decent luck combining thermal curtains with DIY window film...not perfect, but definitely noticeable savings without the wallet hit.
- Double-pane windows are great, but yeah, not always doable—especially if you're renting or planning to move soon. I went through the same thing a few years back.
- Thermal curtains made a noticeable difference for me too, especially in the bedrooms. DIY film was okay, but I found it a bit of a hassle to install neatly. Maybe I'm just not that handy, haha.
- One thing I did try was those draft stoppers you put along the bottom of the window frames. Cheap and surprisingly effective at cutting down drafts, especially in older apartments.
- Also, rearranging furniture helped more than I expected. Moving couches or bookshelves to block cold air from big windows made rooms feel warmer without any extra cost.
- But here's something I've wondered about lately: Has anyone tried removable storm windows? I've seen some online that claim to be renter-friendly and easy to install/remove seasonally. Curious if they're worth the effort or just another gimmick...
Removable storm windows can actually be pretty effective if you get a good fit. I've installed a few for clients who were renting older homes, and the key is measuring carefully—like twice or even three times before ordering. Installation itself isn't too tricky, usually just snapping them into place or using simple clips. They're not miracle workers, but definitely cut down drafts noticeably. Curious though, has anyone tried those magnetic interior storm windows? I've heard mixed things about their durability...
I've installed a few of those magnetic interior storms for clients, and honestly, they're decent but not my favorite. The magnets hold up okay at first, but after a couple seasons of pulling them off and putting them back on, they tend to weaken or shift slightly. If you're careful and patient, they're workable...but personally I'd stick with the removable exterior ones if possible. Have you considered thermal curtains as an extra layer? They can make a surprising difference too.
Good points about the magnetic storms—I've had similar experiences. They're decent at first but can get fiddly after a while. A couple things I've found helpful:
- If you're set on interior storms, adding a thin foam weatherstrip around the edges can help keep them snug and reduce shifting.
- Agree on thermal curtains—they're underrated. I put some up in my own place as a temporary fix, and now they're permanent because they made such a noticeable difference (and I got lazy, lol).
- Exterior removable storms are definitely more durable long-term, but if you're dealing with second-story windows or tricky access, they can be a pain to install/remove each season.
Honestly though, big windows are always gonna be a bit of a trade-off. You lose some heat efficiency but gain tons of natural light and views. Sometimes that's worth the extra sweater or two...
Totally agree about the thermal curtains—I put some up thinking they'd just be temporary too, but now they're basically part of the decor. Funny how that happens, right?
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is window film. I was skeptical at first, but a friend convinced me to try it on my big living room windows. It was surprisingly easy to install (just a hairdryer and some patience), and it made a noticeable difference in drafts and heat loss. It's not a miracle fix, but definitely helps take the edge off without sacrificing the view.
And yeah, exterior storms are great in theory, but I learned the hard way that climbing ladders twice a year isn't my favorite hobby. After one particularly sketchy afternoon balancing on a ladder in windy weather, I decided interior solutions were good enough for me.
In the end, I think you're right—big windows are always gonna be a bit of a compromise. But honestly, sipping coffee while watching the sunrise through those huge panes makes the extra heating bill sting a little less...