Totally agree—rain screens can be fantastic, but they're not always the most cost-effective upgrade depending on your setup. I've inspected homes where the owners went all-in on a rain screen, only to realize later that their attic was practically a sieve for heat loss. Honestly, sealing up those attic gaps or beefing up insulation often makes a bigger difference in comfort and energy bills, especially if your roof drainage is already solid.
Speaking of windows, don't underestimate how much difference proper sealing and weatherstripping can make. I can't tell you how many inspections I've done where homeowners are shocked to learn how much air (and cash!) they're losing through tiny cracks around windows and doors. A few tubes of caulk and some weatherstripping tape can go a long way.
One small thing I'd add, though—if you're in an area prone to heavy storms or extreme weather shifts, double-check your flashing around chimneys and vents. It's cheap insurance against leaks, and you'd be surprised at how often flashing issues pop up during inspections...
- Good points about attic insulation and flashing... hadn't thought much about those. Has anyone tried DIY storm shutters or window film? Curious if they're worth the effort or just another gimmick.
"Has anyone tried DIY storm shutters or window film? Curious if they're worth the effort or just another gimmick."
I've looked into DIY storm shutters myself, but honestly, I'm a bit skeptical about how effective they'd be in a serious storm. Window film seems easier to manage, but does it really hold up against flying debris or is it more for insulation purposes? I guess if you're handy and have the materials lying around, it might be worth experimenting...but personally I'd lean toward proven solutions when it comes to extreme weather.
I've wondered about the DIY shutter thing myself—seems like a hassle to build and install, but maybe worth it if you're handy and have spare plywood lying around. Window film though...isn't that stuff mainly to keep glass from shattering everywhere? Doubt it'd actually stop a branch or anything heavy flying at speed. I'd probably trust something sturdier if serious storms are common in your area. But hey, if someone has firsthand experience proving otherwise, I'm all ears...
"Window film though...isn't that stuff mainly to keep glass from shattering everywhere?"
Pretty much spot-on. Window film helps with glass shards, but won't stop heavy debris. Inspected a house last year after a nasty storm—owner had DIY plywood shutters on most windows, but just film on one. Guess which window got smashed by a flying branch? If storms are frequent, I'd definitely go sturdier. Plywood shutters aren't glamorous, but they do the job.
