Good tips here, especially on ventilation. I've seen folks crank their humidifiers way up in winter, thinking it'll help with dry skin, then wonder why their windows look like a sauna. Ever checked if your humidifier setting might be part of the issue?
Good point about humidifiers—seen it happen plenty. Couple things to check:
- Keep humidity around 30-40% tops in winter.
- Maybe grab a cheap hygrometer to double-check your levels.
- And yeah, ventilation helps...but don't go overboard or you're just heating the outdoors.
"Maybe grab a cheap hygrometer to double-check your levels."
Yeah, those cheap hygrometers can be hit or miss though—had one that was off by almost 10% compared to a buddy's pricier model. Ended up chasing my tail for weeks trying to get humidity right. Speaking of ventilation, anyone tried those window film kits? Heard mixed things...some swear by them, others say they're just glorified plastic wrap. Curious if they're worth the hassle or just another gimmick.
- Totally get what you mean about the cheap hygrometers being off sometimes—been there myself. But honestly, even the pricier ones need calibration every now and then.
- As for those window film kits, I've had decent luck with them. They're not miracle workers, but definitely more than just plastic wrap. Trick is to take your time and get a tight seal; sloppy installs are usually why people end up disappointed.
- If you're patient and careful, they can noticeably cut down on condensation and drafts. Plus, they're pretty affordable, so worth a shot if you're still struggling with foggy windows.
- Worst case, you're out a few bucks and some time—but hey, that's DIY life, right?
I've had mixed results with those window film kits myself—sometimes they help, sometimes it's just a frustrating afternoon spent wrestling plastic. Curious if anyone's tried combining them with thermal curtains... does doubling up make a noticeable difference?
"sometimes they help, sometimes it's just a frustrating afternoon spent wrestling plastic."
Couldn't agree more—I remember one winter spending hours trying to get rid of stubborn wrinkles in the film, only to find minimal improvement in insulation. But pairing window films with thermal curtains has been quite effective in my experience. The curtains really seem to complement the film by adding an extra barrier, especially at night when temperatures drop significantly. They also help with drafts that films alone might miss around the edges.
One thing I noticed is that heavier thermal curtains (with thicker lining) make a bigger difference than lighter ones. It's a bit pricier upfront, but the comfort and energy savings have been noticeable for me. Plus, during sunny days, opening the curtains allows sunlight through the film, creating a bit of natural warmth indoors—kind of a passive solar heating effect.
Might not be a perfect solution for everyone, but it definitely improved things at our place last winter.
I've had similar experiences with the plastic film—sometimes it works wonders, other times it's just a frustrating mess that leaves me wondering why I bothered. Last year, after wrestling with the film for what felt like forever, I finally got it smooth enough to look decent, but honestly, the insulation improvement was minimal at best. I could still feel cold air sneaking in around the edges.
But your point about thermal curtains is spot-on. I eventually added some heavier curtains in our living room, and it made a noticeable difference. The room felt warmer almost immediately, especially at night when temperatures really dropped. I didn't even go for the most expensive ones—just something mid-range with a thicker lining—and it still helped quite a bit.
One thing I did notice though: during the day, if I left the curtains closed, the room felt a bit gloomy and dark. So I started opening them up on sunny days to let the sunlight through the film, and that seemed to help warm things up naturally. It wasn't dramatic, but it was definitely noticeable.
I guess it's all about finding that balance between cost, effort, and comfort. Some winters I've wondered if it's worth all the hassle, but then again, when you finally find something that works—even if it's just a combination of film and curtains—it feels like a small victory. Glad you found something that improved things at your place.
"I guess it's all about finding that balance between cost, effort, and comfort."
Haha, isn't that the truth? I've had my own share of plastic film battles too—one year I swear I nearly wrapped myself up in it like a burrito before finally getting it onto the window. And then, of course, the cat decided it was a new scratching post...so much for insulation.
Thermal curtains have been a game-changer at our place as well. Like you said, even mid-range ones can do wonders. But yeah, the gloominess during daytime is real. Last winter, after a few weeks of feeling like I was living in a cave, I tried something different. Instead of heavy curtains everywhere, I mixed things up—thermal curtains in bedrooms and lighter ones in the living areas. It wasn't perfect insulation-wise, but it made things feel brighter and less depressing during those short winter days.
Have you tried weatherstripping around your windows yet? I found that adding some foam tape or rubber weatherstripping along the edges really helped seal out drafts better than just film alone. It's cheap and pretty easy to install—even if you're not exactly handy (speaking from experience here...). Plus, it's not nearly as frustrating as wrestling with clingy plastic sheets.
Another thing I've been curious about lately is those insulating cellular shades. They're supposed to trap air in little pockets to keep heat from escaping. Haven't pulled the trigger yet because they're pricier than curtains or film, but I'm tempted to give them a shot next winter. Anyone here ever try those? I'd love to hear if they're actually worth the extra cash or just another gimmick.
Anyway, congrats on finding your combo solution! Every small victory counts when you're battling chilly drafts and foggy windows all winter long...
I've had decent luck with cellular shades actually. Got them on sale last year, and they do help noticeably with drafts. Not miracle workers, but definitely warmer than regular blinds. Plus, no plastic wrestling matches or cat sabotage...yet.
Cellular shades are decent, but honestly, thermal curtains have been my go-to. Got some thick ones a couple winters back, and the difference was pretty surprising. Sure, they're a bit bulky, but no drafts at all...and the cat seems bored enough to leave them alone, thankfully.