Sometimes I just give up and wear a sweater inside... old houses really do have a mind of their own.
Honestly, I get it—old homes are stubborn. But I’ve found that secondary glazing (the magnetic acrylic panels, not the ugly storm windows) can be a game changer. Not cheap, but you keep the character and lose the drafts. Heavy curtains do kill the vibe, though... I’d rather layer up too than live in a blackout cave.
Secondary glazing is a solid move—I tried it in a 1920s Tudor and it made a difference, especially for those weird drafty corners. Ever looked into under-rug heating pads? They’re not super common, but they’re subtle and don’t mess with the vibe. Heavy curtains just feel like overkill unless you’re going for Victorian drama, right?
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
Secondary glazing really does punch above its weight, especially in those older homes where nothing is square and drafts sneak in everywhere. I’ve seen under-rug heating pads work well in tight spaces, but I always wonder about their energy efficiency compared to radiant floor systems—have you noticed a spike in your bills? Heavy curtains can help, but yeah, unless you’re into that moody, layered look, they just feel like too much. Sometimes it’s about finding the right combo of subtle upgrades that don’t mess with the character of the place.
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
I hear you on the cost side—secondary glazing was surprisingly affordable for me, and it made a noticeable difference. Tried those heavy curtains once, but honestly, they just collected dust and made the room feel smaller. Under-rug heating sounds tempting, but I’m wary about hidden energy costs too. Sometimes I wonder if the small fixes add up more than one big overhaul.
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
I get the hesitation with under-rug heating, but honestly, it’s not always the energy hog people think—depends on the system and how you use it. Heavy curtains can be a pain, sure, but layered window treatments (like a lighter sheer plus a thermal blind) can work wonders without making the space feel claustrophobic. Sometimes those “small fixes” just end up being a patchwork of compromises, though. If the bones of the place are bad, one big upgrade might actually save you more hassle (and cash) in the long run.
