Did you know Tamko started out making roofing in a chicken coop?

Sometimes I think the “by the book” approach needs a serious update for these older builds.

Couldn’t agree more. My 1920s place is basically a sieve - air sealing was like playing whack-a-mole with drafts. Every time I thought I’d found the last gap, another one popped up behind some ancient trim. Passive venting just feels like wishful thinking when you’re dealing with that much “character.” Hang in there, it’s worth it once you finally get things tightened up... or at least mostly less drafty.

The “character” in these old houses is real… and mostly in the form of cold drafts. My place is from the 1940s and I swear, every time I pull off a baseboard, there’s a new mystery gap or some ancient insulation that looks like it came out of a scarecrow. Did you end up using caulk, foam, or just layers of hope? I’m starting to wonder if it’s even possible to fully seal these places without gutting them.

Layers of hope - yep, that sounds about right. Ever tried using those rope caulk strips? I swear, half my windows are basically held together by them at this point. Do you think it’s worth investing in new insulation, or is it just a losing battle with these old walls?

Do you think it’s worth investing in new insulation, or is it just a losing battle with these old walls?

I get the temptation to just keep patching things up, especially with older homes. Rope caulk is a lifesaver for drafty windows, but I’d argue that upgrading insulation isn’t always a lost cause, even with old plaster and lath. We had similar doubts when we moved in - our place was built in the 1940s and the walls felt like tissue paper in January. After biting the bullet and adding blown-in cellulose to the exterior walls, the difference was pretty noticeable. Not just in comfort, but our heating bill actually dropped a bit.

It’s not cheap upfront, but if you plan to stay put for a while, it can pay off over time. Plus, there’s something satisfying about knowing you’re not just layering hope and caulk strips forever. That said, if your windows are really bad, sometimes replacing just a few of the worst offenders makes more sense than trying to insulate around them. It’s all about picking your battles...

I hear you on the cost - blown-in cellulose made a pretty big difference for us too, especially with those old horsehair plaster walls. Something I’ve wondered: did you look into insulating the attic or roof at all before tackling the walls? From what I’ve read, a lot of heat loss actually escapes upward, so sometimes starting at the top gives you more bang for your buck. Curious if anyone’s tried a green roof or even just beefed up attic insulation before going after the walls...

Attic insulation usually gives you the best return, especially in older homes - heat loves to escape upward. I’ve seen folks beef up attic R-value and notice a big comfort boost before even touching the walls. Green roofs are cool but way more involved... not really a first step for most people.