Brrr... my house seems really drafty!

**Daisygirl** · 12-11-2007, 06:04 AM

For some reason (and I say this every winter!) my house seems draftier this year. I am certain the draft is the same but Brrrrrrr.....

I live in an almost century home. It has some stained glass windows which are single layers of glass. I suspect that is the brunt of the problem. the really enormous window in the living room I covered w/ heavy plastic. I have new windows on the second floor and in the basement but it seems that there is a breeze just sailing through my house. I just hung a vinyl talecloth to block off my mudroom, so I thought that would help and it did a bit but brrrr.... just freezing this year. Heat is working ok, it is just the drafts.

Do any of you have this problem? What do you do to solve it? I thought of window quilts and may go that route but it just seems so dark and dismal to have no light from the outside.

**jamie79** · 12-11-2007, 07:56 AM

Can you caulk the windows? Afford to replace a few? Double up on the plastic too.

**IntlMom** · 12-11-2007, 08:12 AM

why don't you cover up just the big problem windows with window quilts, that wouldn't cover up all the light from the outside, just those windows......Sorry that you are having to deal with this headache..... BUT you have full custody!!!!!

**Momto2Boyz** · 12-11-2007, 08:32 AM

We have had the same problem with some of the windows in our house. We checked for drafts everywhere it seemed, but we could never find where they were coming from. We have floor to ceiling windows in our living room and they were the biggest problem.

I used to have lacey curtains on them and I switched to a heavier "velvet" curtain and it took care of all of the draft on those windows. I've put up plastic in the past and it never helped that much...so I was happy when these curtains cut all of the draft!

I open the curtains for an hour or so during the warmest part of the day (just so i don't go crazy) and then I close them back up when it starts to get cold. I took the cue and in the bedrooms, I took an old flannel sheet that I was getting ready to throw out, hemmed up some double layered curtains for each window and put them up on tension rods under each of the regular curtain and it cut the drafts on those windows.

So I would say the quilts would help, more than anything to cut the draft! I hate having the curtains closed, but it is just something I have to do in the winter!

**Ceashels** · 12-11-2007, 09:19 AM

There was a thead a few weeks ago about using bubble wrap to insulate windows. It gets cut to size and a thin layer/spritz of water holds it in place. It would offer some insulation and let the light shine through.

Have you foamed your outlet covers?
Are there cracks in old floor boards that could benefit from a rug tossed over them?
Is there an upstairs/downstairs that can be blocked off with a tension rod and blanket to help prevent air currents/drafts from stealing heat?

Instead of a full size window quilt, what if you made a half size and tension rod it over the lower half of the window. After all cold air sinks so that is where it needs to be blocked.

Do you have door blocks (rolled towels or the decorative animals) that sit at the bottom of the closed door to stop drafts?

Good Luck!

**nodmicks** · 12-11-2007, 09:25 AM

We live in a 150+ year old home. We use the plastic window covering. It really helps. You can actually see the plastic move when it is windy.

**Holly** · 12-11-2007, 10:01 AM

Karen,
your house is probably like ours ( needs insulation in the walls )
We have drafts that just seep though the walls every year.Houses were make of wood , lathe and plaster in the old days ) not very warm.
Caulk your windows plastic on all of them work well. Door drafts at the bottom. Shut off any room you don't need and rough it for the winter..
Then Think Spring.
I love the idea of window quilts and candle lit home. ( Cozy and romantic
even if its just me a t home )

**monkeywrangler71** · 12-11-2007, 10:05 AM

I find it draftier this year too, and we have all new windows. I'm thinking of doing the window quilts in the kids rooms where the light doesn't matter (actually darker is better), but there are no other windows that I can cover.

I think it's just a lot colder this year.

**shoiji** · 12-11-2007, 10:40 AM

I put up a white polyester blanket on my sliding glass door. It really helps to keep the drafts out. Also since it is white there is some light coming in on sunny days. I usually tie them back so they look more like curtains during the day. Will save up to convert blanket and thin curtain into a "thermal curtain" next year with rod and those clip on curtain hanging thingies.

**ironmaiden** · 12-11-2007, 02:13 PM

Don't forget the seam where the floor and wall meet - the cellar air getting in. That can be caulked with clear too.

We had honeycomb blinds - dual combs and they were fantastic. We raised them up during the day and as soon as it got dark out lowered them completely covering the window with this insulation.

**dolphin** · 12-11-2007, 03:42 PM

Auck! We are cold too! We live in a doublewide made in 1996. I don't think the walls are well insulated. We do have fairly good windows though.

Have you foamed your outlet covers?

I hadn't thought of that! I'll have check and see if all outlets are foamed. Thanks for the tip. I'm sitting here with sweats on and the house temp. is set at 68 and my feet and hands are freezing!

**annymoll** · 12-11-2007, 09:07 PM

Do you have an entry foyer? If so, put a quilt up over the doorway into the house. It will help. If the big window is original it should face south.Open the drapes during the day to let in the sun. Put a towel or material on the window sill. Use heavy drapes at night, and shut them at dusk to keep in the heat.If you have a fireplace that you do not use, put a quilt over it.

**Libby** · 12-12-2007, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Momto2Boyz

We have had the same problem with some of the windows in our house. We checked for drafts everywhere it seemed, but we could never find where they were coming from. We have floor to ceiling windows in our living room and they were the biggest problem.

I used to have lacey curtains on them and I switched to a heavier "velvet" curtain and it took care of all of the draft on those windows. I've put up plastic in the past and it never helped that much...so I was happy when these curtains cut all of the draft!

I open the curtains for an hour or so during the warmest part of the day (just so i don't go crazy) and then I close them back up when it starts to get cold. I took the cue and in the bedrooms, I took an old flannel sheet that I was getting ready to throw out, hemmed up some double layered curtains for each window and put them up on tension rods under each of the regular curtain and it cut the drafts on those windows.

So I would say the quilts would help, more than anything to cut the draft! I hate having the curtains closed, but it is just something I have to do in the winter!

Tee hee hee - reading this makes me think of the older days - you know back when the homes were castles! LOL Velvet and heavy curtains to block the drafts....

**KJayEsq** · 12-12-2007, 02:13 AM

Brrr...my house is a bit nippy too. It was built in 1940, so I love it for the style. At least it has the new energy-efficient windows! However, I'm sure it's draftier than a new house and I have hardwood floors throughout, so that's a bit chilly too.

That's OK...I just bundle up!

**Daisygirl** · 12-12-2007, 05:45 AM

Some fabulous ideas. I think I am going to do some curtain shopping this weekend and see what I can find at the thrift stores.

What does it mean to "foam your outlets"? I am a Southern girl at heart, so I have never done that.

As for new windows, boy do I wish I could, but I am still paying off legal bills. The windows will have to wait a year or two.

Thank you for the great ideas - they sound easy to put together!