"Thermal blinds did help me a bit, especially in rooms with direct sunlight."
Yeah, thermal blinds are pretty decent for the price. Did you notice a big difference in colder rooms too, or mostly just sunny ones? I've been thinking about window film myself—heard it's budget-friendly and easier to handle than foam (no ruined hoodies, haha). Anyone tried that route yet? Curious if it's worth the effort or just another DIY headache waiting to happen...
I tried window film last winter in my drafty bedroom, and honestly... mixed feelings. It did noticeably cut down drafts and helped keep the room warmer, so that's a win. But getting it smooth without wrinkles was a bit of a pain—I ended up redoing one window twice. Still, cheaper than blinds and no foam mess, so might be worth a shot if you're patient enough.
Totally get what you're saying about the wrinkles...been there myself. I found that using a hairdryer on low heat while smoothing it out helped a ton—still not perfect, but way less frustrating. Honestly though, considering the cost savings compared to custom blinds or heavy curtains, it's a pretty decent trade-off. Plus, no permanent changes or messy foam residue to deal with later. Sounds like you did alright!
Yeah, the hairdryer trick definitely helps—I usually recommend it too. Another little thing I've noticed is that if you slightly dampen the film before smoothing, it tends to shrink even tighter once dry. Still, like you said, not flawless...but beats dealing with messy foam or adhesives later on.
I've been trying the hairdryer method too, but honestly, I'm still a bit skeptical. Last winter, I spent an entire afternoon carefully sealing my living room windows with film—hairdryer, damp cloth, the whole nine yards. It looked great at first, but after a few weeks, I noticed some drafts creeping back in. Maybe it's just me being picky or my old windows being extra stubborn...but now I'm wondering if investing in better-rated insulation film or even biting the bullet and upgrading the windows themselves might save me headaches down the road.
