Yeah, the dust thing caught me off guard too—my allergies are thanking me, honestly. I did new windows last fall and got a little something back from the state, but nothing huge. Install was a mess here too, especially in the kitchen where nothing’s square (old house probs). Haven’t seen my bills drop much yet, but at least I can sit by the window without freezing my butt off.
Totally get the old house headache—nothing lines up, and every “quick” job turns into a whole thing. I had the same issue with my 1920s place. Installers ended up shaving down parts of the trim just to make the windows sit right. Not the prettiest, but at least there’s no draft now.
Honestly, I expected more of a drop in my heating bill too, but it’s been pretty minor. Wonder if it’s just the age of the house or maybe insulation elsewhere isn’t up to snuff. Still, not having to pile on blankets just to read by the window is a win in my book.
Did you notice any noise difference after the new windows went in? Mine cut down street noise a bit, which was a nice bonus I hadn’t even considered.
Installers ended up shaving down parts of the trim just to make the windows sit right. Not the prettiest, but at least there’s no draft now.
That’s exactly what happened in my place—nothing is square, so every window felt like a custom job. I actually tried to measure everything myself before the installers showed up, thinking I’d save time, but it turned out every frame was a little off. Ended up with a few gaps that needed extra foam and some creative caulking.
As for the bills, I was expecting a bigger difference too. Maybe I set my expectations too high, but it’s only been a slight drop. I’m wondering if it’s the attic insulation or maybe the basement that’s letting all the heat out. Step-by-step, I’m trying to tackle one drafty spot at a time... just not sure where the biggest leak is.
Noise-wise, though, I did notice a change. Used to hear traffic all the time, especially in the mornings. Now it’s just kind of a low hum, which is a relief. Makes me think maybe I should look into soundproofing some of the interior doors next.