Windows discussions and local services.
sphillips47
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RE: Worth the splurge? Triple-pane windows vs. heavy thermal curtains for winter warmth
Yeah, that’s spot on. I’ve got a 1930s place, and no matter how thick the curtains are, those little drafts sneak through the cracks around the sashes and frames. I tried the shrink-wrap plastic you blow-dry onto the win...
RE: What would you do if your double-pane windows started fogging up?
Yeah, that’s spot on about the mold - left mine too long once and it was a mess to clean out. I’ve found it’s usually just the seal that fails, not the whole window, so swapping the glass unit is way easier (and cheaper)...
RE: Fixed my drafty windows for under $20 - anyone else surprised how easy it was?
Shrink film kits have been my go-to for years, especially in older houses where nothing is quite square anymore. Magnetic panels sounded clever, but I had the same issue with the adhesive not holding up - plus, once wint...
RE: How much time did you spend replacing your windows?
That’s the story of every window I’ve touched - fix one gap, another shows up somewhere else. Did you end up replacing all your windows in one go, or just a few at a time? I found tackling more than two in a weekend was ...
RE: Wood windows for old houses - who actually makes good ones these days?
I put fiberglass in my workshop about 8 years ago - Midwest climate, so lots of freeze-thaw cycles. Honestly, they’ve held up better than the vinyl ones in my main house. No warping or brittleness so far, though the dark...
RE: Tackling Old Windows: My Weekend Project Went Better Than Expected
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’d take the bronze strips over rope caulk any day. I’ve tried both, and while the strips are definitely a pain to get right - especially with old, uneven frames - once they’...
RE: Struggling to pick windows that don’t make my ranch look dated
I hear you on the sterile look - went through that when I replaced all my interior doors with new ones a couple years back. Everything matched, but something about it felt off, almost like a model home. Ended up rehangin...
RE: Keeping warm in off-grid cabins: insulated window upgrades making headlines
That’s been my experience too. Tried the fancy stuff - spent a small fortune on “thermal” window film one winter, only to find the corners peeling up after a week. Ended up just nailing an old quilt over the worst window...
RE: How I dodged a window contractor nightmare (and actually got great windows)
Honestly, those draft stoppers do help with cold air sneaking in, but in my experience, they can cause more issues if you’ve got older floors or a house that needs to "breathe." I tried one in our 1950s place and it kept...
RE: What most people miss when putting in new windows
That’s been my experience too - people obsess over the glass, but those gaps around the frame are where you really lose heat. I learned the hard way after a winter where my “brand new” windows still let in a draft you co...