Yeah, I get what you mean. Put in big double-glazed sliders on my old place thinking I’d be basking in free heat all winter… but honestly, my toes still froze if I sat too close. Love the light, but the heating bill didn’t really budge. Maybe worth it for the plants though—they’re thriving.
That’s a common one—folks expect double glazing to make a dramatic difference, but it’s not magic, especially with big sliders. Even top-notch glass can’t match the insulation of a solid wall, and those frames can be sneaky cold spots if they’re not thermally broken. Still, you can’t beat that natural light for plants or mood. I usually tell clients to look at window coverings or radiant floor heat near those big panes if drafts are a nuisance. It’s always a bit of a tradeoff... warmth vs. all that sunshine.
Still, you can’t beat that natural light for plants or mood.
I get what you’re saying about the tradeoff—“warmth vs. all that sunshine”—but do window coverings or radiant floor heat really solve the core problem? I’ve read a bit about external shutters or even those insulated cellular blinds, and I wonder if they make more of a difference than folks expect. With our old 1960s place, we tried heavy curtains, but honestly, it just felt like we were blocking out the main reason for having big windows in the first place.
Also, is it just me or does radiant floor heat near sliders sometimes just escape right through the glass? Maybe I’m missing something, but it seems like you’re still heating the outside world if the glass is a weak spot. Has anyone actually measured the before/after energy use when adding these features? I keep thinking there’s gotta be a smarter way to enjoy big windows without feeling like you’re burning money...
it just felt like we were blocking out the main reason for having big windows in the first place.
Couldn’t agree more—heavy curtains always seemed like a band-aid fix to me. I’ve seen clients try everything from triple glazing to those honeycomb blinds, but unless you upgrade the glass itself, a lot of heat still leaks out. Radiant floor heat near sliders? Yeah, you’re right, it’ll just chase right through if the glass isn’t up to par. It’s one of those “pay now or pay later” deals... either invest in better windows or keep feeding the utility bill.
When we redid our living room, I thought triple glazing would solve everything, but honestly? The difference was noticeable, but not magic. Still got chilly near the glass on windy days. Anyone else notice that even with “good” windows, you still get drafts sometimes? Maybe it’s an installation thing…
Drafts around good windows are usually more about how they’re installed than the window itself. Even with triple glazing, if the frame isn’t sealed properly or there’s a gap between the window and wall, you’ll feel it—especially on windy days. I’ve seen cases where folks spend a fortune on top-tier windows, but a bit of missed insulation or sloppy caulking ruins the benefit. Did you notice if it was worse in certain spots or just all along the glass? Sometimes it’s just one edge that’s letting cold air sneak in...
I get where you’re coming from about installation, but I’ve seen even perfectly installed big windows struggle in really cold snaps. Sometimes it’s just the sheer surface area—glass doesn’t insulate like a wall, even triple pane. I noticed my living room feels chillier near the big slider, and the install was double-checked. Maybe it’s a tradeoff with all that light and view...
Maybe it’s a tradeoff with all that light and view...
Yeah, I totally feel this. My big front window is awesome for morning coffee but man, in January you can practically feel the chill rolling off it. I just throw on an extra sweater and pretend I'm camping in my own living room... Worth it for the sunlight though, most days.
my big front window is awesome for morning coffee but man, in January you can practically feel the chill rolling off it.
Yeah, that’s basically my winter routine too. I love the light, but those old single-pane windows in my living room are like having a fridge door open all day. I tried the plastic film thing one year—looked terrible but it did help a little. Honestly, I just keep a blanket on the couch now and deal with it.
I keep telling myself I’ll save up for new windows, but have you seen the prices lately? Insulated glass is no joke. Still, part of me thinks it’s worth it for the vibe. There’s just something about sitting in a bright room in the dead of winter that makes it easier to get through those endless gray days.
One thing I noticed—on sunny days, even in January, that big window actually helps heat the place up a bit if I leave the blinds open. Not enough to counter the nighttime chill, but every bit counts. I guess it’s all about timing—let the sun in during the day, then close everything up tight once it gets dark.
If you ever do go for new windows, I’ve heard triple-pane is the way to go if you’re in a really cold spot. Might take forever to pay itself off, though. For now, I’m just sticking with the classic “sweater and socks” method...
Honestly, wouldn’t trade the light for anything, even if my heating bill disagrees every winter.
- Single-pane windows in winter? Basically like inviting Jack Frost to crash on your couch.
- Plastic film’s a classic hack—ugly, but it does cut the edge off.
- Upgrading to double or triple-pane is a wallet workout for sure, but you do notice the difference in comfort (and the bill).
- One thing I always tell folks: check your weatherstripping and caulk before anything else. Sometimes a drafty frame is half the problem.
- I get the appeal of all that natural light, though. Hard to put a price tag on mood in January.
Ever tried thermal curtains? They’re not miracle workers, but they help keep the cold from rolling in at night. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those...