I've tried insulating blinds in a couple of rooms, and honestly, they were decent but not a huge upgrade over thermal curtains. They definitely helped a bit with drafts, but if your windows are really old and drafty, blinds alone probably won't cut it. I ended up doing a combo—thermal curtains layered over insulating blinds—and that made a noticeable difference, especially at night.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: have you looked into window film kits? They're pretty cheap and straightforward to install. I used them one winter when I was renting an older place with single-pane windows, and they really cut down on drafts. The downside is they can look a bit tacky if you're not careful putting them up...but hey, warmth beats aesthetics sometimes, right?
Also, since we're talking about overlooked spots, has anyone tackled insulating their attic hatch or crawlspace door? I found out mine was basically just a thin piece of plywood with zero insulation behind it. Once I added some foam board insulation and weatherstripping around the edges, the upstairs felt noticeably warmer. Curious if others have found similar hidden weak spots in their homes?
I've definitely run into similar hidden weak spots. The attic hatch was a big one for me too—mine was literally just a thin piece of drywall sitting loosely in the frame. Adding foam insulation and weatherstripping made a huge difference upstairs, especially on windy nights.
Another spot I found surprisingly drafty was around electrical outlets on exterior walls. Ever tried those foam outlet gaskets? They're cheap and easy to install, and I noticed less cold air coming through afterward. Also, have you checked your basement rim joists? Mine were completely uninsulated, and sealing them up with spray foam insulation really helped cut down drafts from below.
I'm curious though—did you find the window film kits held up well all winter? I've heard mixed things about durability, especially if pets or kids are around...
I've had pretty good luck with those window film kits, actually—though I get why some people are skeptical. A couple winters ago, I put them up in our draftiest rooms as a temporary fix until we could afford better windows. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much, but they held up surprisingly well. We have two cats who love to perch on the sills, and while we did have one or two punctures (easily patched with clear tape), overall they lasted through the season just fine.
Totally agree with you on the rim joists too. I remember crawling around my basement thinking, "How bad could it really be?" Turns out, pretty bad. Spray foaming those areas made a noticeable difference in comfort and heating bills.
One other sneaky spot I found was where plumbing pipes go through exterior walls or floors. I sealed those gaps with expanding foam and silicone caulk, and it helped cut down on drafts I didn't even realize were there. It's funny how all these little improvements add up...makes the hassle totally worth it in the end.
Those window film kits surprised me too—I was pretty skeptical at first, but they definitely helped cut down drafts in our old place. One trick I learned the hard way: don't stretch them too tight when installing, or they'll pop loose when the temps drop. And yeah, sealing around plumbing pipes is a game changer. I also found that weatherstripping attic hatches and crawlspace doors made a noticeable difference...who knew those sneaky spots were letting in so much cold air?
Did you find weatherstripping your attic hatch tricky at all? Mine was such an awkward shape I thought I'd never get it sealed right...finally got it sorted after a few tries, but man, what a difference it made. Did yours cooperate better than mine did?
