"make sure you're sealing around windows and doors first. No point wrapping your house if drafts are still sneaking in through gaps."
Definitely agree with this part—sealing gaps is crucial. But I'm curious, has anyone here actually measured their indoor temps before and after doing the wrap? I get the comfort factor, but I'm still skeptical about whether the savings justify all the hassle. Maybe it's just me being lazy, but I'd love to see some numbers or hear personal experiences before committing a weekend to plastic and tape...
I've done the plastic wrap thing a few times on flips and my own place, and honestly, sealing gaps around windows and doors always gave me more noticeable results. But since you're curious about numbers, I did measure temps once out of curiosity. Before wrapping, my thermostat would cycle pretty frequently—like every 15-20 mins on colder days. After wrapping, it stretched out to maybe every 25-30 mins. Not groundbreaking, but noticeable enough to suggest some savings.
That said, the biggest difference was comfort rather than huge energy bill drops. Rooms felt less drafty and more evenly heated. If your house is older or has single-pane windows, you'll probably notice more improvement. But if you've already sealed up gaps well and have decent windows, the wrap might not be worth losing a weekend over...unless you really hate that slight chill near the windows.
"Rooms felt less drafty and more evenly heated."
Totally agree with this point—comfort is often the biggest win here. I've found that clients who wrap windows in older homes or apartments with single-pane glass notice a significant improvement in how cozy their spaces feel. But if you've already tackled sealing gaps and have decent windows, investing in heavier curtains or thermal blinds might actually give you a better return on comfort and aesthetics without the hassle of plastic wrap...just something to consider.
Good points all around. I've done the plastic wrap thing before, and yeah, it definitely works—but honestly, it can be kind of a pain to put up neatly (not to mention removing it later). If your windows are already decent, thermal curtains or blinds are way easier and look nicer too. Plus, you can open them whenever you want fresh air or sunlight without feeling guilty about ruining your hard work...just my two cents.
Totally agree about the curtains—way less hassle and they look better too. But if budget's tight, plastic wrap can still be a lifesaver. Just gotta embrace the wrinkles and call it "rustic charm," right?
