Last winter, I moved into this cozy little cabin-style house just outside Duluth. You know, the kind with wood paneling and a fireplace that looks like it belongs in some Hallmark movie. Anyway, the landlord proudly mentioned the place had "brand new double-pane windows," and I thought, great, that'll keep things nice and toasty.
Fast forward to January, and I'm sitting there wrapped in two blankets, fuzzy socks, and clutching a mug of hot cocoa like my life depends on it. The windows weren't exactly drafty, but they weren't exactly keeping the chill out either. It felt like the cold was just radiating right through the glass. I mean, maybe it's just me being sensitive to cold or something, but I expected a bit more from these fancy windows.
Got me thinking...what if someone was stuck in a cabin during a Minnesota blizzard with only double-pane windows between them and the elements? Would they survive comfortably, or would they have to get creative with insulation? Maybe they'd start stuffing towels around the frames or hanging heavy quilts over the windows. Could be an interesting scenario for a short story or something.
Double-pane windows are decent, but honestly, in Minnesota winters, they're not miracle workers. I had the same issue in my old place—brand new windows, still felt like ice cubes radiating cold air.
"Maybe they'd start stuffing towels around the frames or hanging heavy quilts over the windows."
Exactly what I ended up doing. Heavy curtains or quilts make a huge difference. Also, those plastic window insulation kits from the hardware store look kinda tacky but actually help a ton.