Preparing for Winter

flubberyzing

elljay wrote: »

Hi all, I've had the clingfilm-type stuff on my windows but have taken much of it (and the paintwork!) down. It has been easily torn, and moisture under it has meant that I can often not see out all day. And I'm sure it must rot the window frames even more.

Has anyone tried any alternatives? Despite the above it must have made a real difference as that room is really cold now and the draft is horrendous. As it's open plan and you have to go through it to get upstairs I can't close it off, but the cold is really noticeable. I'm going to have a serious talk with the landlord about sorting out the windows but until then, what else have you tried that works better? Thanks

Liz

I tried the clingfilm stuff as well and found it next to useless. It was my bedroom that really suffered with the cold with 2 large windows. In the end I put bubblewrap over one of them and it made a big difference! Sure, it doesn't look great, but I was prepared to sacrifice style for warmth! :rotfl:

Butterfly_Brain

I am so glad all my efforts have paid off. My friends thought I was mad when I was fervently making Blankets, Sealing Windows making Draught excluders and stocking up on food etc - Who's laughing now I wonder:p

annie123

elljay wrote: »

Hi all, I've had the clingfilm-type stuff on my windows but have taken much of it (and the paintwork!) down. It has been easily torn, and moisture under it has meant that I can often not see out all day. And I'm sure it must rot the window frames even more.

Has anyone tried any alternatives? Despite the above it must have made a real difference as that room is really cold now and the draft is horrendous. As it's open plan and you have to go through it to get upstairs I can't close it off, but the cold is really noticeable. I'm going to have a serious talk with the landlord about sorting out the windows but until then, what else have you tried that works better? Thanks

Liz

You need to put the film up in at the end of the summer, after a dry spell otherwise it will trap any moisture in the wooden frame.

You could try bubble wrap, make sure the window pane itself is damp cut bwrap to fit and it just sticks to the window, not very attractive but it works!

[Deleted User]

we are so cosy too, sitting in our upstairs lounge, door and thick curtains shut, near to our portable wireless thermostat. Double layer of clothes on and my cheeks are glowing even though the thermostat is set on 17. The actual temperature in the room is 18.5 because of body heat and tv heat.

Fully stocked cupboard of food too and we are so content and out of danger of slipping

Debt_Free_Chick

One of the best investments I ever made was interlined curtains. Not cheap, but I reckon I'll have them for 20-odd years, so they'll work out at £2 a year! I don't chop & change the basic colours to my decor or the style, so I tend to go for a "timeless" design which won't date - at least, not in my eyes

Strongly recommend them when you get around to replacing your curtains. Better still, curtains are relatively easy to make if you have a sewing machine. Lining can generally be picked up at markets for a good price, too!

elljay

Thanks, yes I have lined curtains and have put a folded blanket on the sill at the bottom of them which keeps draughts down a bit when they are drawn anyway. During the day though it's still pretty chilly. The windows were bone dry when I applied the film, the frames are so bad though that the damp is coming from outside, not in. I put bubble wrap on one of the windows in the spare room and you're absolutely right, it's wonderful but I don't want it in my bedroom or in the living room as the views are so wonderful and I don't want to lose them. It's all a compromise I suppose. I'm wearing 2 pairs of socks, some thermal longjohns and trousers, thermal ski top and fleece. Very nice and warm, sitting next to the log fire in the kitchen. I wish I could use the living room more though, it has a big welcoming sofa, but just isn't warm enough. Open plan is a pain too.
I thought at looking at some perspex type stuff in B and Q and see if I can put together some type of glazing with that. Snowed in at the moment, it will probably be the end of the week by the time I can get out so I'll go and have a snoop round there or Focus.Thanks. Liz

Debt_Free_Chick

I'm sorry to be picky, but are your curtains lined or interlined? Interlining is usually a thick almost fleece like fabric, whereas lining is just satinised cotton. Interlining really does make a huge difference - but obviously not if the curtains are drawn open

I can't pick my curtains up, alone, as they're so heavy - but then they are about 8 feet wide and that's pleated :eek:

elljay

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

I'm sorry to be picky, but are your curtains lined or interlined? Interlining is usually a thick almost fleece like fabric, whereas lining is just satinised cotton. Interlining really does make a huge difference - but obviously not if the curtains are drawn open

I can't pick my curtains up, alone, as they're so heavy - but then they are about 8 feet wide and that's pleated :eek:

Hi, yes I did understand what you meant. No mine aren't interlined, though they do have thermal linings, unfortunately because the windows leak so much when it rains, it wouldn't be worth it. I've ruined several pairs of curtains and can't pay for more - wet interlining would weigh a ton. Because of that I've actually changed some curtains from being right next to the pane of glass to hanging from a pole outside the reveal (the walls are 2ft thick) but I think that was a bad move as a lot of air gets round the sides. I won't do that with the rest of the windows.

A bit academic at the moment, I have the door and the window wide open as my toaster seems to have forgotten how to pop up and I have a houseful of smoke to disperse!!! Off to bed with burnt toast and honey, an electric blanket, the dog and the telly!! Almost my idea of heaven! (just lacks George Clooney!)

Goodnight,

Liz

oystercatcher

elljay, it might be worth getting two pairs of curtains (when funds allow) if your walls are so thick, one near the window and one outside the alcove, might help reduce the daughts a bit.

I hate net curtains but have to have them on some of our windows as we are so overlooked. They certainly cut down the circulation of cold air from the windows. I can't bear them in the back of the house though, I need to see the garden to stay sane!

Oystercatcher

Freyasmum_2

I've found sellers of portiere rods on line- but they claim only to support a 2kg curtain.- My modest door curtain weighs 3kg (on the kitchen scales!). I want to keep the house draft free when Iam out- so a fixed rail is not my preference. has anyone located portiere rods to take a heavy curtain?