"such a cheap fix made a huge difference. It's like plugging little leaks in a boat—small but essential."
This is spot-on. Have you checked outlets and switches on exterior walls too? I used to overlook them, thinking "no way air leaks through those tiny holes," but when I finally got around to sealing behind the plates, it was surprising how drafty they actually were. Just a bit of foam gasket or caulk makes a noticeable improvement.
Also curious, has anyone tried thermal curtains after sealing things up? We added some thick curtains over our sliding glass door last winter, and it felt like adding another layer of insulation—definitely warmer and cozier inside. Not sure if it's just psychological or legit insulating power, but hey, comfort counts too...right?
Thermal curtains definitely help, especially if you've got big windows. We put some up in our bedroom last year—honestly thought they'd just look nice—but the room felt noticeably warmer. Not sure how much they actually save on heating bills, but comfort-wise, totally worth it. Has anyone tried window film too? I've heard mixed things...wondering if it's worth the hassle.
"Has anyone tried window film too? I've heard mixed things...wondering if it's worth the hassle."
We put window film up in our old Victorian a couple winters ago, and honestly, it was pretty straightforward. The key is to take your time prepping the windows—clean them thoroughly first, measure carefully, and have a good sharp blade handy for trimming. If you rush it, you'll end up with bubbles or wrinkles that drive you nuts every time you look at them (speaking from experience here...).
Comfort-wise, it definitely made a difference. Our drafty old windows felt noticeably less chilly to the touch afterward. Can't say exactly how much we saved on heating bills either, but between thermal curtains and window film, our rooms felt cozier overall. If you're already noticing improvements from curtains alone, adding film might be worth the afternoon's effort—especially if your windows are older or single-pane like ours were.
We did ours last winter, and honestly, it wasn't too bad. Just make sure you have a hairdryer handy to shrink it tight—otherwise, you'll get that annoying crinkly look. Definitely warmer afterward, though I can't promise huge savings...but every bit helps, right?
Good tips there—especially the hairdryer trick. I've seen plenty of folks skip that step and regret it later. One thing I'd add: make sure you're sealing around windows and doors first. No point wrapping your house if drafts are still sneaking in through gaps. You're right about savings being modest, but comfort-wise, it's usually worth the effort. Glad it worked out for you.
