Here's a weird one: I read somewhere that just a 1/8-inch gap around a typical window can let in as much cold air as leaving a small window cracked open all winter. I always thought my old cabin just "felt" drafty, but after sealing up some gaps with rope caulk and weatherstripping, the difference was huge. Anyone else have tricks for sealing windows in places where you can't just run to the hardware store?
That 1/8-inch stat always blows my mind. I had the same “is it really that bad?” moment until I tried stuffing old wool socks into the biggest gaps one winter—honestly, it helped more than I expected. Not pretty, but when you’re hours from the nearest store, you get creative. Good on you for noticing the difference after sealing up. It’s wild how much comfort you can reclaim with just a few tweaks.
- Not sure I buy that plugging gaps with socks is a real fix—maybe for a night or two, but I’ve found it just shifts cold air around.
- Tried the same thing last winter, and honestly, the drafts still crept in. Maybe my place is just leakier than most.
- I get the “every bit helps” logic, but unless you’re sealing up *all* the cracks, it’s kind of a band-aid.
- Ended up getting some of that cheap rope caulk instead. Way less hassle, and it actually stuck through the season.
- Guess it comes down to how bad your windows are and how much effort you want to put in... sometimes the quick fixes just don’t cut it.
I hear you on the socks—tried that trick once and just ended up with cold feet *and* missing socks. Rope caulk’s a game changer, though. My old farmhouse windows are basically Swiss cheese, so I just keep a stash around. Still, nothing beats actual new windows... if only my wallet agreed.
Rope caulk’s a game changer, though. My old farmhouse windows are basically Swiss cheese, so I just keep a stash around.
I get what you mean about new windows—mine are original to the house, probably from the 60s, and replacing them just isn’t in the budget. I did try that shrink-wrap plastic one winter, but it got all foggy and peeled at the corners. Rope caulk’s ugly but at least it doesn’t fall off when it gets damp. Still, can’t shake the feeling I’m just putting Band-Aids on a bigger problem...
- Totally relate to the “Band-Aid” feeling.
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That’s exactly why I picked it over the shrink plastic too—mine got all wonky after a week, and my cat tried to eat the corners.“Rope caulk’s ugly but at least it doesn’t fall off when it gets damp.”
- My place is a 70s ranch, so probably not as drafty as a farmhouse, but still feels like I’m heating the whole neighborhood some days.
- Rope caulk does the trick for now, even if it looks like I stuck chewed-up gum around every window.
- Thought about making window quilts? I saw someone on YouTube do it with old blankets and velcro. Might try that next winter—maybe not pretty but at least it’s cheap.
- Kind of wild how you can feel every breeze when you’re off-grid and paying attention to every watt. The smallest leaks add up fast.
- Not sure there’s ever a real fix til you win the lottery or get handy with storm windows… but hey, at least we’re creative with our “solutions,” right?
“Rope caulk’s ugly but at least it doesn’t fall off when it gets damp.”
Yeah, that’s my main gripe with the shrink plastic too—never stays put, and if you’ve got pets or humid days, forget it. Window quilts sound interesting, but is it really worth the hassle? I tried heavy curtains once and didn’t notice much difference unless they were basically sealed to the wall. Maybe storm windows are the only real fix, but who’s got the budget for that?
- Rope caulk’s not pretty, but I’ll take ugly over drafts any day.
- Shrink plastic is basically a cat toy in my place—gone in a week.
- Tried window quilts last year. They work… but only if you’re cool with wrestling them every morning.
- Heavy curtains need to be sealed tight, or you’re just making the window look fancy for the cold air.
- Storm windows are awesome, but yeah, my wallet laughed at that idea.
- Honestly, I’ve had decent luck with bubble wrap—looks weird, but sticks and blocks drafts. Not winning any design awards, though.
I tried the bubble wrap trick one winter—looked like my house was in a permanent state of moving day, but it did cut down on the drafts. Didn’t love peeling it off in spring, though. Anyone mess around with magnetic window covers? I keep seeing them pop up, but I’m skeptical they’d actually stay put or seal well, especially with old, uneven frames.
Anyone mess around with magnetic window covers? I keep seeing them pop up, but I’m skeptical they’d actually stay put or seal well, especially with old, uneven frames.
Tried magnetic covers last year after getting tired of taping up plastic every fall. They’re honestly kind of hit or miss. On my newer windows (the ones that aren’t warped or painted shut), the magnets did a decent job—held up through some windy nights, didn’t rattle or anything.
But on my old, original sashes? Not great. The magnets just didn’t make solid contact all the way around because the frames are a little bowed and there’s ancient paint lumps here and there. Gaps let air sneak in, so not much better than nothing, really. You can try using some weatherstripping underneath to help with the seal, but it gets fussy.
They’re nice for taking off and putting back on without sticky residue or peeling up paint, though. Way easier than bubble wrap cleanup, for sure. But you’ll probably still end up fussing with drafts if your frames aren’t pretty straight.
I will say, if you want something more reliable, those shrink-to-fit plastic window kits are ugly but work better for uneven frames. I’ve also seen folks use thick curtains or even just a rolled towel at the sill for the worst offenders…not fancy, but you do what you gotta do when the wind’s howling.
If you’re handy and don’t mind a project, building custom interior storm windows out of plexiglass and foam tape is a step up. Did that in my old farmhouse before we finally bit the bullet and replaced the windows. Not pretty, but it made a difference.
Long story short, magnetic covers are fine if your windows are fairly flat, but they’re not a miracle fix for old, wobbly frames. Wouldn’t bank on them sealing perfectly unless your woodwork’s in decent shape.