If your house feels chilly no matter how high the thermostat is cranked, drafty windows are often the culprit. The good news is you don’t need a full window replacement (or a massive budget) to make a noticeable difference. There are many renter- and homeowner-friendly fixes that can help keep your warm air inside where it belongs.
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Sealing and insulating windows and doors is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce heat loss during winter. By blocking air leaks, adding insulation and creating barriers between your warm indoor air and the cold outside, you keep cold air out and warm air in, reducing heating bills and making your home more comfortable.
In this article: Newborn 930-GTD Drip-Free Smooth Hex Rod Cradle Caulking Gun, MYshade Top-Down Bottom-Up Cellular Shades and Frost King V73/9H Indoor Shrink Window Kit
But how? Below, we've outlined some practical ways to tackle drafts this winter — plus the tools and products you need for each one.
One of the biggest sources of drafts is worn-out or missing weather-stripping. Over time, seals around windows and doors can crack, flatten out or just peel away, allowing cold air to seep in. Inspect these areas regularly and replace weather-stripping any time it's visibly worn or you can feel air movement.
Flex Seal Flex Caulk Waterproof & Weatherproof Hybrid Polymer Sealant
This waterproof, weatherproof hybrid polymer sealant is designed for both indoor and outdoor use and easily adheres to surfaces like windows, doors and baseboards. It’s also paintable once cured so you can match your existing trim once you seal up gaps and drafts.
Newborn 930-GTD Drip-Free Smooth Hex Rod Cradle Caulking Gun
This caulking gun is designed for smooth, controlled application without drips, thanks to a comfort-grip handle and 10:1 thrust ratio. Even beginners can easily apply sealants evenly when filling gaps around window frames or doors.
Bantie 20FT Weather-Stripping Door Seal
This self-adhesive silicone weather-stripping comes in a D-shaped design to help seal gaps around doors and windows, adding insulation and soundproofing to reduce drafts and make your home more comfortable.
This transparent silicone weather seal is designed for doors and windows with a self-adhesive backing and flexible construction that helps fill gaps to block cold air — while remaining discreet once installed.
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Thermal or cellular blinds add an insulating layer between your window and your living space. Their honeycomb structure traps air, helping reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. They’re especially effective on windows that feel cold to the touch.
MYshade Top-Down Bottom-Up Cellular Shades
These cordless cellular shades feature a honeycomb design for thermal insulation and light control with top-down, bottom-up functionality, allowing you to manage privacy and drafts while helping keep rooms warmer in cold weather.
Tonature No-Drill Cellular Shades for Indoor Windows
These no-drill cellular shades are renter-friendly and easy to install and, once set up, reduce noise and block light while the honeycomb structure adds an extra barrier against cold air entering through windows.
Shrink-wrapping windows is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to cut down on winter drafts — though it’s not exactly a design upgrade. A clear plastic film creates an insulating air pocket that reduces heat loss, making it especially useful for older or rarely opened windows.
Frost King V73/9H Indoor Shrink Window Kit
This indoor window insulation kit includes clear shrink film designed to reduce drafts — enough for multiple windows, along with tape, making it a budget-friendly option for quickly improving window insulation.
Duck Brand Winter Window Insulation Kit
This shrink-film insulation kit is designed to cover up to 15 windows, including window tape and clear film for easy indoor installation, helping reduce cold drafts and improve energy efficiency during winter.
Thick, insulated curtains act as a final line of defense against cold windows. When closed, they help block drafts and retain heat, especially overnight or in rooms with large windows.
ChrisDowa Grommet Blackout Curtains for Bedroom and Living Room
These thermal-insulated curtains are designed to block light and reduce heat loss with room-darkening fabric. They have convenient grommet tops and are great picks for bedrooms or living rooms where drafts and cold windows are an issue.
NICETOWN 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels
These blackout curtains feature a thermal liner designed to block light and cold air, making them useful for keeping rooms warmer and reducing winter energy costs.
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