Good point about the seals—it's surprising how quickly weatherstripping wears out, especially in harsher climates. Curious if anyone's experimented with storm doors or secondary glazing? I've heard mixed reviews, so I'm hesitant to jump in without hearing some firsthand experiences...
We actually installed storm doors a couple years back after noticing drafts coming through our main entryway. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—seemed like just another expense—but it turned out to be one of our better home investments. The difference was noticeable almost immediately. Our hallway stopped feeling like an icebox every winter, and the house seemed quieter too, which was a nice bonus I hadn't expected.
That said, installation matters a lot. My neighbor tried to DIY his storm door, and he ended up with gaps and alignment issues. He complained it didn't help much, but I'm pretty sure that's because it wasn't sealed properly. We had ours professionally installed, and they've held up great so far. Secondary glazing I've never tried, though I've heard it's effective if done right. But for us, the storm doors alone made enough of a difference that we didn't feel the need to go further.
Totally agree about professional installation—makes a huge difference. Another thing I've found helpful is weatherstripping around windows and doors. Cheap, easy to install yourself, and cuts down drafts noticeably. Might be worth trying before jumping into secondary glazing...
"Another thing I've found helpful is weatherstripping around windows and doors. Cheap, easy to install yourself, and cuts down drafts noticeably."
Definitely agree on weatherstripping—it's a solid first step. I'd also suggest checking attic insulation levels. A lot of heat loss happens through the roof, especially in older homes. Proper insulation not only helps maintain indoor temperatures but also reduces ice dam formation, which can seriously damage your roofing structure over time... Seen it happen more than once on jobs, and it's not pretty.
A lot of heat loss happens through the roof, especially in older homes. Proper insulation not only helps maintain indoor temperatures but also reduces ice dam formation, which can seriously damage ...
Yeah, attic insulation makes a huge difference. Last winter I finally got around to beefing mine up and couldn't believe how much warmer the upstairs felt. Plus, no more icicles hanging off the gutters like some frozen horror movie scene...
