The candle trick is definitely a good one—I've tried it myself and found drafts in places I didn't even suspect. Weatherstripping made a noticeable difference for me too, but I have to admit, curtains were the real game changer. Last winter, I decided to experiment with thermal curtains in my living room, and honestly, I was skeptical at first. But once they were up, the room felt noticeably warmer and more comfortable almost immediately. Plus, they added a nice aesthetic touch that weatherstripping alone couldn't provide.
One thing I'd add from my own experience: don't overlook your doors. Windows get all the attention, but doors can leak just as much cold air—especially older wooden ones or those with gaps at the bottom. Door sweeps or draft stoppers are pretty inexpensive and easy to install yourself. I made my own DIY draft stopper out of some leftover fabric and rice (sounds weird, but it works!). It ended up being a fun weekend project and actually looks pretty nice.
Also, if you're already going through the trouble of sealing things up, it might be worth checking your attic insulation too. I know that's a bigger project than just weatherstripping windows or hanging curtains, but heat rises, and if your attic isn't properly insulated, you're basically losing warmth right through the roof. When we finally tackled ours (it was ancient fiberglass insulation from who knows when), we noticed our heating bills dropped significantly.
In short, combining multiple approaches definitely pays off. Each method complements the others nicely—weatherstripping cuts down drafts directly at the source, curtains add an insulating barrier and visual warmth, and attic insulation keeps heat from escaping upward. It's a bit of work upfront, but honestly worth it in terms of comfort and savings down the road...
Good points on attic insulation—I tackled mine last year and definitely noticed a difference. A couple other things I've learned from flipping older homes:
- Basement rim joists can leak a surprising amount of cold air. Spray foam insulation there helped a ton.
- Electrical outlets on exterior walls often get overlooked, but foam outlet seals are cheap and easy.
- Fireplace dampers—if you have a fireplace, double-check it's sealing properly.
Curious if anyone's tried window film insulation kits? I've heard mixed reviews...
I gave the window film kits a shot last winter—honestly, they're not bad for the price. My living room windows are ancient and drafty (think "haunted house" vibes), and I wasn't ready to shell out for replacements yet. The film definitely cut down on drafts and made the room feel cozier. Installation was a bit of a comedy routine though... picture me wrestling with clingy plastic wrap and a hairdryer, cursing quietly so the kids wouldn't hear.
The downside? They don't exactly look amazing up close, especially if you're picky about aesthetics. And if you've got pets or curious toddlers, good luck keeping them intact all winter. But hey, for a quick fix on a budget, they're worth trying at least once. Maybe start with just one room and see how it goes before committing to wrapping your whole house like leftovers?
I feel your pain with the film installation—been there, done that. My house is pushing 120 years old, and every winter it's like living inside a wind tunnel. I tried the window film route a couple winters back, and yeah, it definitely helped with drafts. But like you said, up close it's not exactly HGTV-worthy.
One thing that made it easier for me was using painter's tape to hold the plastic in place before hitting it with the hairdryer. Saved me from a lot of wrestling matches and quiet swearing sessions. Another tip: trimming the excess plastic really carefully after shrinking it helps make things look slightly less DIY.
But honestly, after one season of my cat deciding the film was her personal scratching post, I switched to heavy thermal curtains instead. Easier to manage, reusable every year, and they actually look decent. Might be worth considering if you're planning on staying in your place long-term...
Thermal curtains are a solid suggestion, but in my experience, they're not always enough if your windows are really old or drafty. I ended up combining them with weatherstripping tape around the window frames, and it made a noticeable difference. Also, have you checked the insulation around your doors? People often overlook that, but sealing those gaps can cut down drafts significantly. Curious if anyone's tried insulating blinds—do they work better than curtains?
